A native of California, John Rizzi lives and works in the Russian River area of Sonoma County. John has worked in a variety of media including ceramics, basket-weaving and gourd art. For much of the last decade, he has focused his artistic expression in "Lampworking" (the art of manipulating hot glass in a torch flame). Rizzi creates a variety of sculptural, wearable and decorative art pieces.

John's work is often inspired by his love of nature. Most recently, he's sought ways to incorporate his glass designs into functional garden art pieces.

Rizzi studied with internationally-recognized Lampwork artist, Loren Stump of Elk Grove, California. John was fortunate to have also studied with Lucio Bubacco and Vittorio Costantini in Murano, Italy.

In 2006, John opened John Rizzi Glassworks, a small hot-glass gallery and working studio dedicated to showcase his work as well as fellow hot-glass artists. John Rizzi Glassworks represents the works of Bruce St. John Maher, Andy Ray, Andrew Brown, Wayne Robbins, Josh Mazet, Dolly Ahles, Leslie Moody, and many more.

John's artwork has also been featured in galleries, retail shows, and print.

Galleries:

  • Quicksilver Mine Company, Forestville, CA
  • Laurence Glassworks, Occidental, CA
  • West County Design, Valley Ford, CA
Publications:
  • The Flow Magazine - Summer 2008
  • Micro Macrame, Vol. 1 and 2 by Kris Buchanan
  • Beadazzeled Where Beads & Inspiration Meet by Penelope Diamanti
  • The Complete Book of Gourd Craft by Jim Widess and Ginger Summit
  • Gourd Pyrography by Jim Widess
Shows and Events:
  • Best Bead Show - Tucson, Arizona
  • Babe Show (Bay Area Bead Extravaganza )
  • Calabash Gourd Festival, Northern California
  • Art For Life, Northern California