Meet Mark Leputa | Glass Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mark Leputa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mark, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
In 2004 I began working in glass while living abroad. The short trip became a 3 year apprenticeship at Lava Glass in Taupo, New Zealand. Upon returning to the United States, I found myself working under an exceptional glassmaker, Cal Breed of Orbix Hot Glass. I worked with and learned from Cal for 14 years, not only how to blow glass but also how to run business.

Through those years I always made sure to invest in my own art career, knowing that I would one day only work for myself. Over time sales from my personal artwork proved I could support myself without the need of working under another studio or artist. Combine that with the Covid-19 shutdown and a healthy introspection of my career, I realized it was time to open my own studio.

In 2020, alongside my best friend and glass colleague Steve Hagan, we formulated many terrible plans for starting a studio together – always following our intuition of what would be best for us. Artists we are. Businessmen we are not. In November 2021 we finally settled into our very own High Priority Studio in Tucson, Arizona. The title for our studio is a nod to our ‘by any means necessary, all the eggs in one basket, no plan B’ approach to turning our dream into reality. We were investing in ourselves.

***High Priority Studio is where we handle any process involving our glass sculptures in which the glass is cold – such as cutting, grinding, polishing and finishing of sculptures. We are also happy to be resident artists at the Sonoran Glass School where we blow glass and handle any of the hot processes of glassmaking. We divide our time between both studios to create our individual artwork.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Glassblowing is a very expensive medium and it takes decades to master. I built my career and skillset working for other glass studios and artists. This allowed me to perfect my craft under the watchful eye of a professional. Part of my pay was in free studio access. I always made sure to invest in myself and produce my own artwork and glassware. Over time through the sales of my own art I was able purchase the equipment needed for my personal studio.

In 2020 I made the decision to become a self-employed artist, focusing entirely on my own artwork. It has been a long slow transition, but the best decision I have ever made. Relying solely on art sales is always a wild ride. You have to remember to save money when sales are good because they ebb and flow significantly. Fortunately over the course of my career I have found some exceptional representation in a few select galleries across the US and Europe.

I am proud to say after 20 years as a glassmaker I am able to spend my work day working creating art alongside my closest friends, as we turn ideas into remarkable objects. I love working with my hands and the team camaraderie that is associated with glassblowing. The people of the glass community are what make this career so special and I am forever grateful to them. We are a unique bunch.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am lucky enough that I work with my best friend daily though we often have artist friends from around the country visiting us in Tucson. Typically no visit is complete without a trip to the Sonoran Glass School and Philabaum Glass Gallery, both within a few blocks of each other. Nearby you also have some excellent eateries, such as Cafe Desta (incredible Ethiopian cuisine) or Taqueria Pico de Gallo (some of the best fish tacos on the planet). Though our hands-down favorite spot is Guadalajara Original Grill on Prince Road. Of course we also love to bring our visitors to our own High Priority Studio – wings and beers are across the street at the Neighborhood.

As a rock climber and outdoor enthusiast no trip to Tucson would be right without visiting Saguaro National Park and/or taking a drive up Mount Lemmon for some views and hikes. Other frequent noteworthy excursions involve the wineries in Sonoita (Rune Wines being a favorite) or some scary, exposed climbing in the Dragoons (for those vertically inclined visitors).

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to give a huge shoutout to the Sonoran Glass School and the Tucson glass community, without whom I would not have opened my own studio in Tucson. Myself and my studio/business partner Steve Hagan conduct half of our creative process at the Sonoran Glass School, of which we are proud ambassadors.

Website: www.markleputa.com

Instagram: @markleputaglass

Facebook: Mark Leputa Glass Sculpture

Youtube: I am randomly on there through various pages

Image Credits
working photo – Photography by Palo Fierro Productions/Eduardo Manteca artwork photo – Photography by High Priority Studio/Mark Leputa