JR Smith, a Weaverville-based glass artist whose sculptural vessels and cast-glass forms explore the dynamic interplay between molten glass, metal, sand, and fire. His work merges blown glass, cast forms, and metal through a demanding sand-mold technique. Each piece is unique, reflecting both technical mastery and expressive depth.

For more than three decades, Smith has dedicated his life to glassmaking. A graduate of Florida Atlantic University, he continued his studies at the renowned Penland School of Craft before joining the University of Miami’s Continuing Education Glassblowing Program as a resident artist and instructor. His career has included collaborations with nationally recognized glass artists and a continual push toward technical and creative innovation.

Smith is celebrated for his signature technique of blowing molten glass into hand-fabricated sand molds, each one destroyed in the process. Working at temperatures above 2,000°F, he shapes the material into sculptural forms that are then cold-worked, polished, and often integrated with metal. The resulting pieces evoke geological formations, shifting water, and ancient landscapes through richly layered blues, greens, and copper tones.

“The glass flows like waves on an ocean of creativity washing over me,” Smith says. “I hope each piece stirs the viewer’s emotions and offers a glimpse into my journey.”