Instagram: @Manologlass
Emmanuel (Manolo) Aguilera is a Mexican-born glass artist based in Seattle, WA. Originally from Veracruz, he has worked with Chihuly Inc. for over 20 years, mastering every role in the hotshop—from Loader to Gaffer. Manolo blends his Native Mexican heritage with Venetian and contemporary glass techniques, creating work that is both culturally rooted and technically sophisticated. In addition to assisting renowned artists like James Mongrain, Preston Singletary, and Jason Christian, he maintains his own studio practice and family life.
In 2022, Manolo founded Everett Glassworks LLC, a fully equipped hotshop in Everett, WA. This space allows him to work independently and provide a creative sanctuary for other glass artists. His work has been exhibited in group shows at the Tacoma Art Museum, Museum of Glass, and Schack Art Center. Manolo’s art reflects his deep respect for tradition, community, and the evolving language of glass.
Instagram: @_nclaw_
Nicholaus Clawson, born in 1983, is a multidisciplinary artist originally from San Diego, California. He began his exploration of sculpture through bronze casting, fine jewelry, ceramics and multimedia assemblage during his time at Grossmont College. In 2012 Clawson turned his focus toward glass. While attending Palomar College for glass making in San Marcos, California, Clawson discovered Pilchuck Glass School and made the journey north to the school’s secluded forest location. After working Summers filling various roles on campus, Clawson based himself in Washington State. Living and working in the Pacific Northwest from 2015-2017, he was given a studio art residency at Cat & Snake Gallery in Bellingham, Washington. After his residency in late 2018, Clawson migrated closer to work in Seattle, WA.
Clawson’s current work explores the experience of light in nature and the cycles of life and death. Using found materials and handmade objects Clawson studies entropic processes necessary in creation. He draws inspiration from science and nature, and the polychromatic nuances of the morning and night sky can be seen throughout his work
Julie Conway, glass artist, international lighting designer, founder of Illuminata Art Glass Design & her readymade series LUMi Collection.
Julie’s studio creates bespoke extraordinary lighting experience for hospitality and residential installations, with her unique brand of sparkle. Hand crafted functional illumination makes an impact.
Julie conducts teams of glassmakers, her fabricators, electricians and installers to bring her glassworks to life. The goal is transformation of space with light.
Julie’s Mission: To Bring Light & Beauty to the World. Contact the studio for a consultation. Sparkle on!
I began my career in glass in 1986 at the Glass Eye Studios in Seattle Washington. After two years of production work, I started working with Dale Chihuly. While working with Dave, I was introduced to Benjamin Moore. Through these two key relationships, as well as studying at Thee Haystack Mountain School of Crafts and the Pilchuck Glass School I was able to study and work with many talented glass artists. Artists included Lino Taliapietra, Dan Dailey, Dante Marion, and Preston Singletary.
Instagram: @Danfriday
Instagram: @merrilee_glassartist
As a personal chef, magnificent color, texture and form came alive for me. The creation of exciting, visible, edible products motivated me to study fine art. I started learning my craft at Pratt Fine Arts Center and continued refining my skills at the world-renowned Pilchuck Glass School. The complex process of blowing glass is not easy to master and requires the ability to stay focused on many different tasks at the same time.
My work ranges from functional objects to large-scale mixed media sculpture. I have been featured in solo exhibitions in several Seattle area art venues, including Foster/White Gallery and the Bellevue Sculpture Exhibition. In 2009 Snohomish County chose me as Artist of the Year. The Peoples Choice Award was bestowed on me in Lake Oswego, OR as part of their “Art Without Walls” installation, and I have a growing list of prestigious collectors. I am currently blowing glass in my hometown of Everett, Wa at the Schack Center.
Instagram: @viva_las_glass
Harrison Neel was born in Boston, Massachusetts and became fascinated with glass blowing at an early age. First taking classes at a studio in Cambridge Massachusetts at the age of 15, he continued to pursue glass education after high school at a vocational school at the Orrefors glass factory in Sweden. Upon returning to the U.S.A. Harrison started working at the Martha’s Vineyard Glassworks studio in West Tisbury Mass. In 2007 moving to Seattle, wa where he still resides. Over the last 18 years working together with many incredible glass makers including: LinoTagliapietra, Dale Chihuly, Julie Conway, Jason Christian, James Mongrain, Paul Cunningham, Dan Friday, Manolo Aguilera, John Kiley, Davide Fuin, and many many more.
Instagram: @colinsatterfield
Colin Satterfield is an artist whose work combines elegant forms with bold, vibrant colors, creating unique, one of a kind hand-blown glass art.
Colin first blew glass in 2003 in Dallas, Texas. Shortly after, he relocated to Seattle, Washington, the epicenter of The American Studio Glass Movement. Living in Seattle provided an opportunity to work for many of the top figures in glass. In 2007 Colin began working at the famed Glass House Studio, rising through the ranks to Gaffer (the head of a glass team). Taking these skills, he’s furthered his education by working at furnaces throughout Europe, learning traditional techniques and infusing them with modern design.
Colin has honed his unique style through years of dedication, producing an exceptional body of work that is sought after by collectors and showcased in galleries worldwide.
Instagram: @shannieartandglass
Shannon Spruiell is a Seattle-based glass artist whose practice blends traditional techniques with contemporary forms. She began working with glass in 2015 while studying painting at Texas Tech University and quickly shifted her focus to glassblowing. After working with Carlyn Ray in Dallas, she moved to Seattle in 2018 to pursue glass full-time.
Her work often incorporates Swedish techniques, reimagined in sculptural vessels that evoke both function and nostalgia. Spruiell teaches at regional institutions including Pratt Fine Arts Center, Schack Art Center, and the Museum of Glass, where she works with veterans through the Hot Shop Heroes program. She also serves as a public demonstrator at Chihuly Garden and Glass.
Spruiell is committed to using glass as a tool for healing and connection, particularly in trauma-informed settings. Through her creative and educational work, she fosters access, empowerment, and transformation through the shared experience of working with glass.
Instagram:@szwedzinski
KCJ Szwedzinski is an interdisciplinary artist, educator, and arts administrator whose work spans sculpture, neon, and social engagement. As cofounder and executive director of Project Chance, a nonprofit that raises and trains service dogs for children with autism, she is committed to creative equity and community. KCJ also co-created the Neon Residency at Pilchuck Glass School, providing access to neon arts in a shrinking field.
She has taught, assisted, and studied at institutions such as Penland, Pilchuck, MIT, and the University of Washington, and been an artist-in-residence at locations including the Vermont Studio Center and Rero Glass in Belgium. KCJ is currently the Operations and Programs Assistant at the Glass Art Society and a recent participant of the WA State Arts Commission’s Change Leader Institute. Her recent work, False Profit/Prophet, explores the intersection of belief, power, and control, and her practice is grounded in care, curiosity, and collective possibility.
