Guest Artist - Kyle Kraiter

Glass Artist

“There is nothing else like glass. No other material eats light and spits it back out like glass does.” - Kyle Kraiter

           Kyle’s attraction to glass work was tied to an underlying passion for adventure and beauty; this passion was fueled by both his exploration of glass and by other irreplaceable experiences with the people and places he encountered during his travels. The decision was made to continue traveling to countries that would educate him in various designs and approaches to glass.  

            Sweden was Kyle’s next stop. He was accepted into the Glass Design program at Kalmar University, where he was privileged to work with some of the best designers in Scandinavia. This led to travel throughout Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. Having already visited and worked in more studios than most glass blowers do in a lifetime, Kyle then returned to his home country and began working as a gaffer, assistant, and designer at the Bandon Glass Art Studio on the beautiful south coast of Oregon.   Kyle couldn’t be kept in one place for long, and after a year, he went from the scenic cool waters of the North Pacific to the warm bustling shores of Singapore. In Singapore, he worked for the architectural glass company Synagraphic as a gaffer, assistant, and designer, making installations for homes, hotels, restaurants, and palaces throughout Southeast Asia. After his visa ran out, Kyle was off to the sunny beaches of Australia for more adventures and a new perspective on glass.

            Kyle spent several months traveling and working in various studios throughout Australia, but eventually settled in Sydney to work as the head gaffer at Diffuse Glassworks, an architectural glass lighting company. Eventually Kyle returned to Portland, but for just a few years before he left for a place whose glass he had dreamed about for many years, Japan. Kyle spent several months sampling the craft, culture, and glass of Japan. This experience was highlighted by having the opportunity to work with Japanese glass artist Hiroshi Yamano. Finally, ­­­he made his way back to his hometown of Portland, Oregon, where he has started a family and is currently designing and making functional, decorative, and sculptural glass art out of his custom built studio.