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Jean Claude Novaro
Born in Antibes, France

Born in Antibes, France in 1943; Jean-Claude Novaro is today recognized as one of the greatest glass blowers of our time. His unique and distinctive art-glass creations are highly prized and sought after by art connoisseurs world-wide. The acclaim and success Novaro enjoys today didn’t come easily. Jean-Claude Novaro has gone from selling small glass animals to tourists for a few francs a piece to having his works in museums, galleries and private collections worldwide. Novaro’s hard-earned skills and artistic genius, combined with an unwavering drive and determination have made Jean-Claude one of the premier glass artists in the world.

Novaro began his lifelong passion for glass in 1957 when he apprenticed at a glassworks in France when he was only 14 years old. His love of the craft, combined with incredibly hard work, perseverance and talent, allowed him to become a “maitre verrier” or master glassmaker by the unprecedented age of 20. Jean-Claude spent the next ten years at the glass factory, in charge of production, ambiance, and the apprenticeship program.

Novaro is known today in the glass community not only for his amazing technical and artistic abilities but for his constant search for new ways to stretch the capacity of glass. Jean-Claude has invented new techniques, like his hand painting in between layers of glass and his magic collection, that leave people mystified and in awe. He is also a traditionalist in his insistence on working alone, letting every piece be a creation of his own gifted hands.

Novaro has been awarded the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of Arts and Humanities) by the French government. His work appears in glass museums around the world, in countries such as his native France, the United States, Germany, Denmark, Belgium, Australia and Japan. At a recent NATO event, Novaro's glass was given as a gift to representatives of all attending NATO countries. His work is collected by thousands world-wide, including entertainer Bill Cosby, Frank and Barbara Sinatra, and New England Patriots owners Robert and Myra Kraft.