Meet Jason Chakravarty of Circle 6 Studios

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Chakravarty.

Jason began incorporating glass through the use of neon into his sculpture in 1998 while attending Arizona State University. He was employed for four years at a commercial neon sign shop where he learned technical fundamentals of the neon process. In 2002 he began illuminating hot shop forms and kiln casting glass while attending graduate school at California State University Fullerton. He has taken workshops nationwide including at Pilchuck, Pittsburgh Glass Center, Penland School of Crafts, and University of California San Diego.

He has taught neon and kiln casting workshops worldwide including Arizona State University, Corning Museum of Glass, Goggleworks, Arrowmont School of Crafts, The Glass Furnace, Urban Glass, Cleveland Institute of Art, Pittsburgh Glass Center, Appalachian Center For Crafts, Bezalel Academy of Art, and Penland School of Crafts. His work has been shown in over 100 exhibitions. Currently, his work is represented at Adam Blaue, Corning, Duncan McClellan Gallery, Habatat Galleries, Hive Contemporary, Kuivato Gallery, Penland Gallery, Piece and Vetri Gallery. He is a full-time artist and splits his studio time between Arizona and Washington.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I believe making art for a living is never a smooth road nor a predictable path. I have been very fortunate to have been born with a strong dedicated self-work ethic and supportive siblings. The biggest current struggle I see is as the world develops, people are less interested material based arts. Our collectors are dying.

Circle 6 Studios – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Circle 6 Studios was started by John Longo in his backyard in the early 2000’s. He began glassblowing as a hobby and it transitioned into a need to share it with others. In early 2017 a very disgruntled neighbor pushed him out of the studio where he had fed glass to the community for over ten years. He then moved to the current location.

I have been working with John for over four years. I am a full time practicing artist that moved back to AZ to be close to family. John is known for supporting artists using a material that has an unheard of overhead. His shop is an open door to ideas and the process. He regularly invites artists from all over the country to demonstrate and teach workshops. He dedicates weekends to providing the glassblowing experience to the community. Often we are booked out 2-3 months for these experience classes. In our effort to educate the community with glass blowing, we offer live glassblowing demonstrations on first Fridays which often includes free beer and food from a local brewery and a local chef. We would love it if everyone had the chance to touch the hot glass.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
If I can continue to pay my bills making art and educate others in glass, I sleep well at night.

Contact Info:

• Address: 2040 E Thomas Rd Phoenix, AZ 85006
• Website: www.circle6studios.com
• Phone: (602) 454-9342
• Email: john@circle6studios.com
• Instagram: circle6studios
• Facebook: circle 6 studios

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