Jessica Schimpf is a glassblower who runs Mantra Glass Art in downtown Reno. After years of establishing herself in a physically demanding, male dominated field, then losing several loved ones over a short span of time, she was feeling grief on top of burnout. Jessica reassessed the way art worked in her life—both her professional life and her downtime. Then, she made some adjustments that really helped.

 

LISTEN: Double Scoop Podcast Episode 24—The Art + Mental Health Series with Jessica Schimpf

“Overflowing,” hand-blown glass by Jessica Schimpf and assistant Carolyn Nadeau

 

“Let The Light Shine Through” and “Holding It All Together”

“Grey Matter” by Jessica Schimpf and assistant Carolyn Nadeau

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Jessica Schimpf is one of four artists in Double Scoop’s current exhibition, Im OK, I’m not OK at UNR’s Student Galleries South through Aug. 5. You can see more of her work on her Mantra Glass Art website.

Photos: Kris Vagner

This podcast was funded by a grant from Nevada Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Posted by Holly Hutchings