About

Lionel Chapital

Glass Artist

"Glass is a very mysterious substance. When I first came into contact with it as an artistic medium, I was fascinated by how it responded to heat, leaving no trace of where it had been fused. I soon became enchanted by its magic. I like to explore human relationships and the natural world in the sculptures that I create. I use color in my sculptures to express emotion"

I was born in New Orleans Louisiana. I am the oldest child of a large family. My parents relocated to the Bay Area in the early 60's. I have always been drawn to the arts. I studied lost wax casting for jewelry and leather work as well as music. I attended Ohlone college for two years where I continued my studies.

I left San Francisco for New York City. My destination was a store called The Glass Garden in Greenwich Village where I would meet the person who had invited me to apprentice with him, Milon Townsend. I invested myself wholeheartedly and gradually began to learn more advanced techniques. We specialized in the human figure so naturally the first sculptures I made were dancers. I worked 7 days a week; no complaints from me!

7 years later, my wife and I left for Europe. I landed a job with a glassblowing co-op called La Mediterranea in the beautiful province of Valencia, Spain. I was principal lampwork designer. There I designed a successful line of tableware called Síboli. I would later establish myself in the city of Barcelona where I immersed myself in the catalán culture and its art. That period is a powerful influence and a source of artistic inspiration for me.

I currently run my own studio in Newark, California. My work can be found in fine galleries across the country. I can be seen at many of the arts & craft fairs in the Bay Area. I am currently an instructor at the San Jose Glass Artist Alliance where I offer classes for beginning torchworkers in borosilicate glass. I have taught at The Corning Museum of Glass. I am an active collaborator with the Bay Area Glass Institute. I donate a sculpture each year to help with its mission to further the education and appreciation of glass as an art medium.

Call me

510 377-4955