About Us
Firenation's grand opening was in June 29, 2002... 
Matt Paskiet was born in 1968, the 5th of six children. Raised in Toledo OH, he graduated from Little Flower grade school, Central Catholic High School, and Bowling Green State University. He then started his career in glass sculpture.
Matt had this to say about his craft;
"I enjoy making glass because of the effect it has on people and the response I get. whether it's good or not so good. even if you don’t like it, that means it had an effect on you, it made you think, and it made you form an opinion…"
"...I learn something new every day that I work with glass, and my respect for it grows as well."
"...I aspire to create large scale architectural installations and designs."
EDUCATION
- 2001- Barcelona Centro de Vidre. Barcelona, Spain
- 1998- Pilchuck Glass School. Pilchuck, Washington
- 1993- BA/Bowling Green State University. BG, OHIO
- 1987- Central Catholic High School. Toledo, Ohio
TEACHING-AFFILIATIONS
- 1994 - Present. Instructor cast glass, in hot glass workshop. The Toledo Museum of Art.
- 1997& 99-Board Member. Spectrum Friends of Fine Art. Toledo
- 1994 – Present. Glassblowing Instructor. The Toledo Museum of Art
WORKSHOPS
- Therman Statom-The Toledo Museum of Art Centennial Celebration ‘01
- Tom Pati- The Toledo Museum of Art.1998
- Marvin Lipofsky- The Toledo Museum of Art.1996
- Robert Carlson- Painting on glass. The Toledo Museum of Art. 1996
- Dino Rosin- GAS Conference- Boston, Mass.1995
- Geoff Beetham- Marbles, glass axis, Columbus, OH.1995
- Throwing copper on glass- The Toledo Museum of Art.1995
- Therman Statom-Artist in Residence. The Toledo Museum of Art.1995
- Joel Philip Meyers- The Toledo Museum of Art.1994
- Dale Chihuly and team- The Toledo Museum of Art.1994
WORK EXPERIENCE
- 2002- Present: Owner/Artist. Firenation, Ltd. Glass Studio and Gallery. Holland, OH
- 1999-2000: The Boathouse, Chihuly Inc. Seattle, WA.
- 1999-2000: Eastlake Art Glass, Seattle, WA.
- 1993-1999: Project manager OCP Contractors, Holland, OH.
- 1983-1993: Ohio Ceiling and Partition Company, Holland, OH.
EXHIBITIONS/AWARDS
- The Mansfield Art Center ”Beauty Born Of Fire “-Contemporary Glass in Ohio. June 29th through August 17, 2003
- Black Swamp art festival purchase award.2002
- Best Glass Birmingham Temple Art Show1997
- Best in show Spectrum Gallery Members Show.1997
- International Student Show Tucson, AZ. Glass art society.1996
- Committee Award Salon de Refuse, Toledo, OH.1996
- Recipient of Toledo Glass Guilds Dominick Labino Memorial Award for work shown at 86th Annual Toledo Area Artists Exhibition.
- First Place award at Lake Eola “Fiesta in the Park”. Lake Eola, FL. 2003.
- 20 North “Contemporary Glass” Toledo, OH 2004
- Ohio Designer Craftsmen “Best Of 2005” Exhibition. OH 2005
- Toledo Area Artists Exhibit at TMA. Toledo, OH 2005
SELECTED INSTALLATIONS
- Marco’s World Headquarters. Toledo, OH. Kiln Casting
- OCP Contractors, Holland, OH. Fluted Bowl
- Glass Tech. Toledo, OH. Hugger Series
- Beauty Bar. Toledo, OH. Custom Chandelier
- Commissioned by Private collectors, locally and abroad.