Jenna Kurtz

Jenna Kurtz is a practicing artist in the Bay Area. She received her BFA in Sculpture (14’) from California State University, Long Beach. Her fascination with glass is all encompassing and she is always exploring new ways to use the medium. Jenna currently works with Nzilani Glass Conservation on the conservation and restoration of large scale stained glass windows and the Stained Glass Garden teaching stained glass and fusing basics.

Artist Statement:

I'm inspired by nature, especially the ocean, because there are creatures out there that have evolved perfectly for their ever changing environment. Animals like the octopus take on colors of their surroundings for camouflage and completely disappear into the background. Jellyfish don't swim in any direction, but just float along with the current to an unknown destination picking up prey along the way. These animals features are dictated by their environment and fully utilize the water as a support structure for their form.

Glass and water are very similar mediums because they both maintain reflective properties. I want to transform the medium of color and light from a world of life to a world of imagination. The colors and transparency of glass allows for the sculpting of light into forms that are striking and full of depth. These glass creatures inhabit light as space and float along the currents made of sunlight.

Jesse Medina

Jesse has over eight years of mosaic experience, starting with the Oakland Public Works Department as a volunteer with the “Keep Oakland Beautiful” campaign. He has assisted on over 20 mosaic litter containers and self fabricated fully over 15, each having three panels of mosaic surface area. His mosaic experience led to employment at Mural Arts in San Francisco fabricating four vitreous glass mosaic panels for Shanghai Disney in Shanghai, China. Jesse’s attention to detail garnered the title Lead Fabricator for another tile mosaic mural located at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. In addition to fabrication experience, Jesse is also skilled in mural installation. He has installed over 10 murals with Rachel Rodi Mosaics, the largest being her “Ocean” glass mosaic mural, measuring 18.5’ wide x 10.5’ high, in Manhattan Beach, CA. Jesse’s latest project included the installation of a 13’ wide x 15’ high mosaic mural for Eastside Arts Alliance in Oakland for which he was Site Installation Supervisor. He also currently works at Nzilani Glass Conservation on the conservation and restoration of large scale stained glass windows.

Collaborative Work

We work together on lots of projects ranging from mosaic repairs to custom stained glass windows. Our aesthetic is very similar in the sense of craftsmanship and color pallets which allows us to work simultaneously on projects. We tend to work side by side; where one person stops, the other picks up and keeps going. Our different backgrounds have given us each alternative perspectives that melds styles and motifs.

Jesse and Jenna have been together for four years and share a studio with other artists in Berkeley at the East Bay Glass Guild. Their undying love for art has them constantly working away in the studio as their dog, Orwell, acts as greeter.