John Krizan
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- Biography
John Krizan is an Iowa artist living in Coralville. He finds inspiration in both the natural and industrial environment around him. These influences can be seen in the palette and patterns he chooses to shape and decorate the elegant glass forms he makes by hand. John Krizan is creatively driven by curiosity and a desire to use his hands to understand and respond to the world around him. These two creative impulses informed his practice as a mechanic for many years, and the time he spent working on cars has honed his skills for problem solving and building; using his hands and mind together. Seeking to leave the field of automotive repair, John enrolled in Kirkwood Community College, earning an Associates Degree in Applied Science in 2014. While attending Kirkwood, John took all of his elective courses in the Glass Area of the 3D Arts Department sparking and nurturing a passion for working with hot glass.
John is currently working for Kirkwood Community College as a Studio Technician for the Ceramics, Sculpture and Hot Glass Studios. John is also a current Resident Glass Artist at the Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio. He is working toward building a mobile hot glass unit to better showcase the art process to the public and to provide more opportunities for himself and others in the community to access the magic of hot glass.VIDEOvideo by Johnathan David Sabin ©InfinityPhotographic, courtesy of John Krizan - Education
Associate of Applied Science Degree 2014
Horticulture, Parks and Natural Resources
Kirkwood Community College(KCC), Cedar Rapids, IA.
Fine Arts Elective Coursework Completed:
Hot Glass I,II, III
Warm Glass I-Slump,Fuse,Cast
Design Fundamentals
Equipment Operations
Oral Communication/Workplace
Professional Experience
currently Satellite Glasswork - Building and implementing mobile hot glass studio
for public demonstrations and teaching.
currently Glass by John Krizan - producing my own work that I show and sell on my
website and in juried art shows such as: Thieves Market, NewBo Arts
Fest, Iowa Arts Festival and KCC 3D Arts Club shows and sales in the
Iowa City, IA area.
currently KCC Studio Technician - 3D Arts, Cedar Rapids, IA.
currently Coe College, Cedar Rapids,IA glass torch-working studio setup and
teaching demonstrations.
2016 KCC glass teaching assistant for visiting artist Edward T. Schmid.
2015 KCC glass teaching assistant for Mark Russell.
2014-15 KCC glass teaching assistant for Jill Allan.
2014 KCC glass teaching assistant for visiting artist Natali Rodrigues.
2013-14 KCC glass teaching assistant for visiting artist Bryan Randa.
2013 KCC glass teaching assistant for visiting artist Slate Grove.
2013-14 KCC studio Assistant for Jill Allan, assembling and installing ‘Brainstorm’,
a large, suspended glass ceiling sculpture in KCC’s Washington Regional
Education Center in Washington, IA.
2010 KCC glass teaching assistant for visiting artist Edward T. Schmid.
1994-08 Automotive Technician
Honors
currently KCC Foundation frequently selects my work to gift to board members,
retirees and visiting scholars.
2014 Best in Show, Emerging Artist Category, NewBo Arts Fest, Cedar Rapids,
IA.
2012-14 KCC Selected my work for the League of Innovations Student Art
Competition.
2009-14 KCC Deans List every term attended.
Community Activities
2014 Mobile hot glass blowing demonstrations at the Science Centers Makers
Faire, Cedar Rapids, IA.
2012 Brucemore Mansion’s Art and Garden Show, Cedar Rapids, IA.
2010 Mobile hot glass blowing demonstration at the Legion Arts for EcoFest,
Cedar Rapids, IA.
2009-14 Member of Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, Iowa 3-D Art Club
2009-14 3-D Art Club President.
2010 Glass torch-working demonstration at the Indian Creek Nature Centers
Honey Fest, Cedar Rapids, IA.
2010 Volunteer internship at Indian Creek Nature Center Cedar Rapids, IA