Jessica Schimpf

Studio Owner and Lead Glass Blower

In 2010 while still in college at The Maryland Institute College of Art, Jessica's career started as a monumental welder and bronze artisan for The Sculpture Foundation - which made the largest metal sculptures in the world for artists, museums and cities (public installations) homed at Grounds for Sculpture in N.J. Jessica worked on the fabrication team that created work for famed artists: Seward Johnson, Kiki Smith and Jeff Koons.
 

Jessica won her sculpture department senior thesis competition at MICA in Winter 2010 for developing an idea for an art studio called "Mantra Art" - and was encouraged by teachers, admin and students to bring her company to life.  8 years later after building up the company while working with prestigious clients and designers, Jessica created the first glass blowing shop for MGA in Reno/Tahoe NV in 2018. The Reno/Tahoe studio offered intensive one on one and group classes to over 5,000+ students in 5 years. Sadly due to the pandemic, Jessica stop teaching in 2020 but continued with commissions world wide.

 

In 2023 Jessica designed and purchased Mantra's newest and largest space yet, a private art studio that has: boro & soft glass, fusing, and a full cold working shop on 2.5 acres of stunning preserved farmland surrounded by horses and crops. Though this studio is closed to the public, Mantra sells custom lighting, blown glass memorial art, wedding unity glass, artwork for collectors, galleries and more.