Jonathan Poirier began working with glass as an undergraduate in art at New England College in Henniker , NH .  Later accepted into the summer program at the Haystack School of Crafts, he met the artist who would become his mentor, world-renowned glass master Jan Erik Ritzman.  Impressed with Poirier’s desire to learn and the emerging quality of his work, Master Ritzman offered him a two year apprenticeship at Tranjo Hytta Glass in Sweden .  There, Poirier’s intense discipline and love for the craft convinced Master Ritzman to extend two years of study into three, and what began as a tutelage on the art of glasswork became a lesson on a life devoted to the art.

The Swedish style of glass blowing demands the ability to execute technique without error, a respect for the precise nature of molten glass, and the vision to harmonize form and material to reveal the hidden, natural beauty of glass.  Guided by Master Ritzman and fellow master Svenne Carlson, Poirier deepened his understanding of the unique relationship between the creator and his creation, the necessary union of discipline and awareness in all aspects of life.  Unselfishly sharing their homes, their expertise and their wisdom, Ritzman and Carlson taught that glass blowing is not simply a craft, not simply a series of techniques that an apprentice can learn.  To see the glass – to serve the glass – the artist must live it every day.