Escape into our happy world of colored glass and nurture your creative side.
Meet Our Artists
Rebekah Santiago, Owner, Artist
Glass and “sparkles” have always grabbed my attention for as long as anyone can remember. Discovering glass fusion was an unknown dream coming to life. Earlier creative efforts were in the areas of sewing, crocheting or cross stitching, which I enjoyed but glass fusion allows for creation of items that bring light and color throughout the house.
Most of my adult life was spent working with people and computers in a medical office, training users on how to use medical management software, or doing software training webinars. This was good preparation for teaching others an art that can sometimes be somewhat technical. Dealing with a wide variety of personalities and learning styles was great practice for teaching in the studio. I am so happy to finally be teaching something that people really want to learn, not something that they have to learn!
My favorite method of fused glass creation is to take broken scrap pieces and turn them into an object of beauty – often using different styles of mosaic design. There are so many different techniques in glass fusion that I don’t claim to have an artistic “style” because I am too busy trying new looks and techniques. Sometimes I start a project with a plan, other times I just find a pretty piece of glass and get inspired, letting the piece take shape as I go through the creation process.
Rafael Santiago, MD, Artist
An urgent care physician at the office, Rafael’s creative side was born in the glass fusion studio. Even though Rafael has always been “handy”, able to take things apart and put them back together without instructions, discovering glass fusion opened a whole new world of creativity.
Studying and training to be a physician really didn’t leave much time for outside hobbies for quite a few years. Being able to make beautiful pieces in glass has been a revelation for him that left-brained people can tap into their creativity too.
Time in the studio is time spent in another, peaceful mostly stress-free world. Rafael’s favorite designs to create usually involve straight lines or geometric patterns and he tends to prefer bright colors. That said, he is not above making playful pieces. Ask him about Olaf sometime when you are in the studio, unless you work for Disney.
Kerra, Artist (Studio Alumni)
I have always
taken an interest in art but it wasn’t until high school that I began to
consider it as a career. My journey first began about 15 years ago when I
pursued an art degree. I received my BFA and minor in art history from Missouri
State University in 2012 and a MFA from Southern Illinois University Carbondale
in 2016.
As a practicing artist, I currently have two bodies of work which are representational, narrative-based, oil paintings of my family and of self-portraits. I am completely new to the fused glass experience and I am excited to learn how to fuse glass with my ideas about painting or somehow merge the two mediums. First important lesson, you can’t color match, but you can experiment and get the likeness and/or impression of a color. As a teacher, I really enjoy working with customers and guiding them on developing an idea into a beautiful, completed project. I love seeing their proud expressions when they have created a piece of art.
When I am not in the studio, I teach beginning and intermediate drawing courses at Missouri State University. I also exhibit my work into juried shows such “Pushing Paint (Oil &Acrylic)” at The National Association of Women Artists Gallery in New York and the “No Dead Artists” at Jonathan Ferrara Gallery in New Orleans, where I have been awarded a solo show and gallery representation. Dr. Samuel Peralta also curated my artwork into “Chronicles of a Future Foretold” exhibition at 33 Contemporary Gallery in Chicago. I have been published in New American Paintings MFA editions #117 and #129 and featured in several PoetsArtists publications.
I’ve always been interested in artistic and creative things. From drawing (which, unfortunately I have discovered I am awful at) to writing to music to painting to glass fusion, I love being able to create something. In high school I got the opportunity to make real art for the first time in two art classes. The first one was basic art, which is where I realized I can’t draw. But the second one was called “Glass Crafts”, and it was the best class I’ve ever taken. That’s where I learned about glass fusion for the first time. I made a Sherlock Holmes mosaic (which is still the piece I’m proudest of, and I’m always willing to show it off), a plate and some jewelry. I really enjoyed it, but it wasn’t until I started here at the studio that I fell in love with the whole process. I love getting to work somewhere where I can not only create but help others to create. It’s the best job I’ve ever had. I love creating pieces that use a lot of color, imagery and fun. Outside of work I love writing, and I’m currently studying Education at Missouri State University.
Calvin, Artist (Studio Alumni)
I grew up between the jungles of Thailand, the capital city of Cambodia, and small town USA. It is my belief that diverse exposure has given me a perspective on how much beauty is in natural forms as well as an appreciation for how art transcends linguistic and cultural barriers. As a jack of all trades, with my background in construction and fabrication, I have developed an appreciation for mathematics and the high sciences as well as the arts, which reflects itself in my work. I have a deep-seated love of Renaissance era symbolism, angular forms, sacred geometry, and prismatic light interactions. I love all stages of the creative process, so helping people convert their ideas and mental images into pieces of art is always a challenge that I enjoy. Being exposed to so many different people’s ideas is my favorite part of working in a studio environment.
My artistic journey began in middle school when I worked with my art teacher to create a class project inspired by a local art exhibit I had gone to. Afterwards my art teacher realized how strongly connected to art I was and offered me an opportunity to take a Ceramics class at the Springfield Art Museum. From that moment forward I knew that creating art would always be an important aspect of my life.
I attended Missouri State University and graduated with my BFA in Painting and Ceramics. Now that I’ve graduated, I have my own small business creating functional pottery called Earthen Roots Pottery. I attend local arts and craft fairs and sell pieces online as well. I’m often inspired by elements of nature, landscapes, bright colors, and mandalas.
I enjoy working in multiple mediums and glass has become my newest medium to love. Through working at Creative Escape Glass, I have found a passion not only for glass fusion, but also for helping inspire and encourage others to create. It brightens my day every time I help a customer to feel the joy of making something that they can treasure forever.
