JASON BOURGHOLTZER

(GLASS)

EXHIBITION DATES

May 12 - June 12, 2010

Artist Statement

              Life has a way of  opening up and allowing one to express there inner most feelings and ideas with any medium one chooses to present whether paint, clay, wood, or glass. To manipulate solid to liquid and liquid back to solid gives one control while being controlled. A medium like glass has the ability to reflect beauty while presenting danger. Burns and cuts only further strengthen the bond between the artist and glass as thought is transformed into reality.  I have always had a desire  to create art that not only represents who I am as a being but also serves a purpose to those that have possession of my work. Whether it’s to relax with a glass of wine or to light a room, I want to connect with those that hold my work in there presence.

          Jason Bourgholtzer was born in St. Petersburg, Florida in 1976   Since winning his first art contest at the local county fair at the age of six he seemed destined  to one day become a professional artist.   

          During his tenure at BocaCiegaHigh School he received a National Art Merit Award and had two pieces of art on display at the High School Art Show at The Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, Florida.    

          After graduating high school in 1995, he enrolled at Saint PetersburgCollege (formerly known as St. PetersburgJunior College). Instead of pursuing any type of degree, he educated himself by taking as many art and science classes he could over a three year period of time.

          By mere chance his love of glass started from a visit to the Renaissance festival in the spring of 1999.  From a small conversation with the glass blowers blossomed an apprenticeship that lasted 2 years. Once Jason went out on his own he began to study other glass artists and began to find his own style and place in the world of art.

          Being a Florida native and living near the Gulf of Mexico his entire life, his major influences come from the ocean and its creatures.  Other major influences range from Dale Chihully to Dali.