Glass artist BJ Katz possesses an ever-evolving passion for artistic expression and superb craftsmanship. She is the creator and owner of Meltdown Glass Studio in Tempe, a design center that has been specializing in kiln-cast, etched and colored glass since 1993. Her work graces public and private spaces from coast to coast.
Along with Chris Klein (her co-art director and previous assistant) and 10 full- time employees, Katz creates mainly large-scale, kiln-fired works of art that possess a multitude of sought-after qualities. Her pieces range from bold, colorful and dramatic to delicate, beguiling and at times ethereal. Her large studio/gallery exemplifies her demand for excellence and penchant for creativity.
“I have always felt that art and glass were my mission,” says the artist, whose studio contains sculptures, water walls, sculptural walls, art screens, windows, textured tabletops and her personal artistic designs. Her pieces have intrinsic beauty as well as versatility – many creations provide dramatic focal points for both businesses and residences.
Some “wow factor” choices Meltdown Glass offers are artistic decorative privacy windows, kitchen countertops, textured glass walls, custom entry doors, interior doors and partition dividers, skylights, shower enclosures, spa backsplashes, cabinet doors and even stairways. Among the specialty treatments offered are decorative sandblasting, fused dichroic glass, fused metals and fused glass elements. All the creations are customized to fit clients’ needs, and Katz welcomes ideas from her customers. “I think our studio is the nexus for excellence in art combined with adherence to architectural requirements,” says Katz.
“BJ and Meltdown Glass were amazing to work with on our residential project,” says Scott, a customer who preferred not to share his last name. “In addition to helping us find the most aesthetic, functional art for our home, they provided all of the technical assistance needed, and they helped us understand the options and how the final artwork would look installed.”
Competent and comfortable in the camps of decorative glass art as well as monumental art glass, Katz’s portfolio brims with impressive projects. She was just granted a public arts commission at the hub station of the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) expansion to San Jose, CA. “This is an enormous station,” says Katz, “I am creating 2,000 square feet of art glass for the building facade. Amy Trachtenberg is the other artist who was also picked for the project, and she is doing the ceramic aspects.”
Katz also completed artwork for the Colorado Judicial Center last year – two art glass walls, one in the lobby and one in the Supreme Court Justice Library. The Monterrey Bay Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center was another major accomplishment in 2012. In addition, Neiman Marcus used Meltdown Glass to fabricate the 4,500-square-foot facade of its Walnut Creek, CA, store. A sampling of other projects includes pieces on Princess Cruise Lines and at Disney World in Orlando. “We have several water wall pieces in the Epcot Center” she says. “I’ve also done work for the children’s hospitals in Texas, Colorado and Phoenix.”
Katz’s creative triumphs can be traced back to her early years. The artistic world beckoned to her as a teen when she took a sampling of art classes in high school in Chicago. Eventually she enrolled in the famous Art Institute of Chicago and also Northwestern University, where she honed her skills in painting, sculpture, art history and contemporary art. Her foray into the professional art glass world happened in Stanwood, WA, at an intensive three-week, glass-blowing class founded by the iconic glass-blowing artist Dale Chihuly. “The class was very focused on inspiring creativity, although I ultimately went in the direction of kiln work. What fascinated me was the size of the pieces possible, and how you can integrate it into architecture and work on a monumental scale,” says Katz.
Soon after, the artist moved to Scottsdale and established a studio in her garage.
“My life consisted of the UPS delivery man who delivered my supplies,” she laughs. Desiring to learn more, Katz took a sojourn to Australia to soak up more information and additional techniques. She worked in studios of major artists and volunteered in a public access glass studio where artists paid by the hour to use facilities. “A surprise six-week stint of being left in charge provided me with experiences ripe with possibilities. The artists were very open to sharing, so I was able to pick their brains,” she says. She adds with a laugh, “I was supposed to be answering the artist’s questions, but I had the most questions!”
Armed with the knowledge she gleaned in Australia and from other artists she networked with, Katz created Meltdown Glass 20 years ago. “Some people are more influenced by other people’s style,” she says. “I have always had a sense of what I want to convey; my work is very reflective of me, and I don’t see anyone doing work similar to mine.”
Some of the artist’s personal work pieces include four different series of art glass that are sold to the public, museums and galleries. The four series feature torsos, sea life, the galaxy and facets of womanhood with her own personal philosophical wording embedded into each piece.
When asked what she loves best about her career, she responds, “I love people and also the working relationships with my staff. Everyone is enthusiastic about what we do here. I love the ability to constantly grow and express myself. When I do my own artwork, the sky is the limit in terms of expression. Most of my artwork is nature inspired – beaches, trees, walks and hiking.”
Raised as a Reform Jew, the rest of Katz’s family is Conservative. “The Jewish philosophy of importance of family is essential to me,” she says.
“I put a lot of importance on staying in touch and having Shabbat dinners with them when possible.” With most of her parents’ generation gone, BJ says she takes the role of ensuring the family gathers for Shabbat or holiday dinners when she and her husband, Derek Nadeau, return to the Chicago area for visits. In Arizona she treasures sharing Shabbat dinners with her cousins.
Meltdown Glass offers 30 unique textures as part of its standard product line.
Custom textures can be made as repeating patterns, full-scale compositional designs or patterns than span several panels of glass. To learn more about creating a custom work of art for your home or business, contact BJ Katz at bjkatz@meltdownglass.com.
