After an inspiring and rewarding search, Hilltop Artists is delighted to add a new instructor to the team. Beginning this September, Hilltop Artists welcomes glass artist Jonathan Bolivar who will join Jason Mouer and Samantha Scalise as an instructor in our daytime elective program at Hilltop Heritage Middle School.

The Glass Arts Instructor provides instruction and classroom management in collaboration with the daytime teaching team at Hilltop Heritage Middle School for daytime and summer classes; develops, writes, and implements glass art-based curriculum; and assists Operations and Instruction Manager in technical support for all programs as needed.

Said Deputy Director Katy Evans about Jonathan, “The team was impressed by Jonathan’s experience and talent. And more than that, Jonathan demonstrated kindness, a passion for mentorship and teaching, a dedication to collaboration, and a strong sense of justice that is essential to our work. We can’t wait to welcome Jonathan to Hilltop!”

About Jonathan Bolivar

Originally from Oklahoma, Jonathan Bolivar has most recently been teaching and creating in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This summer, he and his family moved to Tacoma and Jonathan is excited to teach and mentor our middle schoolers.

Jonathan first began working with glass in 2015 through his local community college in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After that initial semester ended, Jonathan could no longer afford school but was hooked; he had to find a way to continue working with glass. He began teaching beginning glass blowing, assisting with production, and assisting artist Cedric Mitchell at Tulsa Glassblowing School.

While working multiple part time jobs, Jonathan also made time to make his own work, dedicated to building his skill and creative vision. His drive paid off and he was offered a full time position alongside his friend and mentor Cedric at the Tulsa Glassblowing School. While there, Jonathan also learned from shop director Kenneth Gonzales and assisted artists Davide Salvadore, Rob Stern, Suzie Ririe, Tom Kreager, Nick Fruin, and Randy Walker.

Eager to continue to gain experience, Jonathan next worked at Monarch Glass Studio in Kansas City, Missouri and at Rock Cottage Glassworks in Shawnee, Kansas.

Whenever Jonathan had free time, he would travel and explore different glass communities. He received scholarships to Penland School of Craft, Pittsburgh Glass Center, and Haystack Mountain School of Crafts.

Before accepting the opportunity to teach at Hilltop Artists, Jonathan had been working as a Technical Apprentice at the Pittsburgh Glass Center. Serendipitously, this summer Jonathan met and worked with Hilltop Artists alum MiShawn Cabrera, who was at the Pittsburgh Glass Center for a mentor residency with Jonathan’s friend Cedric Mitchell.

Jonathan opened his first solo exhibition this summer at the Holliman Gallery at Holland Hall in Oklahoma.

Says Jonathan: “I am forever thankful for the guidance that led me to blow glass for a living. I love each person who has helped me on the way and try to pour that love into everything I make. I feel that to do any less would be a disservice to those who I aim to make proud.”

See more of Jonathan’s work at @glassbolivar.

Pictured below: MiShawn Cabrera (left), Jonathan Bolivar (center), and Cedric Mitchell (right) work together during Cedric’s August 2021 residency at the Pittsburgh Glass Center. Photos by Daniel Kilbride.

Thanks to MiShawn for making sure everyone had a Hilltop Artists shirt!