About Me
Artist Statement
Glass as a material is awe-inspiring. It captivates the gaze and beckons interest just by looking at it. What interests me most about glass is its vibrancy, transparency, and its ability to bend and play with light. Whether the surface is smooth or textured, the way it reflects and diffuses light holds endless possibilities for design and artistic expression.
The process of working glass is an artistic form in and of itself. When the glass is hot, the work is demanding and intense — we move quickly and intentionally, while still leaving room for spontaneity. In contrast, working glass cold is calculated and tedious; you cannot take back what has been done to it. This duality between the two states of glass is what I find most inspiring about the medium. In the studio, I strive to excel in both areas of glass working. Aiming for a high level of craftsmanship, my goal is to let the glass itself be the art — and to let the awe come from what can be done with this limitless medium.
Bio
Nathan Olvera is a glass artist working out of Southern California, where he grew up. His interest in glass began at an early age. Collecting glass marbles and paperweights given to him by family. This fascination with glass objects sat in the background for years until he got to college and took his first glassblowing class in 2017 at Cal State Fullerton with Hiromi Takizawa. From that moment, Nathan knew he had found his passion. He went on to finish his BFA in Ceramics/Glass at CSUF. Since then, Nathan's been putting in the work: learning from glass artists around Orange County and building up his own practice along the way.
CV
Education:
2024 Corning Museum Studio, Winter Session 1: Beyond Battuto (Ethan Stern)
2020 California State University, Fullerton, BFA in Art (Glass/Ceramics)
2019 Pilchuck Glass School, Session 1: Installations (Antoine Pierini)
Professional Freelance:
2022 – Present: Glassblowing Assistant, Cold Worker, Jeffries Glass (Christopher Jeffries)
2021 – Present: Glassblowing Assistant, Cold Worker (Marcus Thesing)
2021 – Present: Glassblowing Assistant, Kahlen Studios (Kent Kahlen)
Exhibitions:
Group:
2023 Winter Fantasy, Sawdust Festival, Laguna Beach, CA
2022 Winter Fantasy, Sawdust Festival, Laguna Beach, CA
2022 Glass and Ceramics Show, Grand Central Art, Santa Ana, CA
2018 Circle of Clarity, California State University, Fullerton, CA. Curated by Jordan Young
Grants & Awards:
2018 - 2019 Robin & Steve Kalota Scholarship Awardee