Born in Los Angeles, California, to parents originally from Zacatecas, Mexico, Jaime Guerrero discovered his life’s language in blown glass.
“I am a blown glass artist; it’s what I decided to do and what I’ve dedicated my whole life to,” he says.
His first contact with the material occurred while studying at the California College of Arts and Crafts in the northern part of the state.
“I entered thinking I wanted to do sculpture or painting, something in art, but I had never been exposed to glassblowing until I arrived at that school. In my second year, I saw glass for the first time and decided that it was going to be for the rest of my life.”
FOTO CORTESÍA DE/PHOTO COURTESY OF: Jaime Guerrero
Although he was formally trained in sculpture, he chose glass as his path.
“I didn’t get along with my professor, and in order to work with glass without having to take more classes with him, I decided to change my major. That gave me more freedom to explore glass on my own,” he recalls.
During his training, he met Italian master Pino Signoretto, one of the most important figures in the history of glass.
“When I saw him work, I realized that everything I had learned in four years was nothing. He was the best sculptor in the world. I learned the basics from him and then developed my own voice.”
With more than three decades of experience, Guerrero has presented solo exhibitions at the Chrysler Museum of Art and the Pittsburgh Glass Center, and has participated in group shows at institutions such as the Oakland Museum and the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago. He has received grants from the Opportunity Fund, the Pittsburgh Foundation, and the Saxe Fellowship, as well as residencies at Wheaton Arts and STARworks.
FOTO CORTESÍA DE/PHOTO COURTESY OF: Jaime Guerrero
However, he acknowledges that “if it weren’t for the determined help of the Opportunity Fund, I couldn’t have gotten to where I am today. I owe them a debt of gratitude for their invaluable support,” he emphasizes.
His work addresses issues of identity, social justice, and migration. During Trump’s first term, he presented an installation featuring life-size sculptures of migrant children.
“They were separating families, putting children in detention without due process. It was inhumane,” he recalls.
FOTO CORTESÍA DE/PHOTO COURTESY OF: Jaime Guerrero
In that exhibition, a wall symbolized the border, and the transparent figures represented the invisible stories of the detained minors.
“I asked 100 children who went through that immigration process why they left, what they faced, and what they expected when they came here. That was the voice of the child that was never being heard.”
The exhibition was recognized by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as one of the ten best of the year.
“The politicians had their discourse, the media had theirs, but no one was listening to the real stories. I wanted the children’s voices to be heard.”
FOTO CORTESÍA DE/PHOTO COURTESY OF: Jaime Guerrero
In addition to being an artist, Guerrero is a committed educator. From his studio in Pittsburgh, he collaborates with Casa San José, Latino Community Center, and Art Excursions, teaching glassblowing to young people from immigrant communities.
“All artists have a responsibility to teach others. If you have a skill, you have to share it with someone who needs it.”
Convinced that art can transform lives, he concludes:
“There are many unfair things happening now, but we have to help each other and move forward. Times are very dark, but we have to look for the light wherever we can.”
Connect with Jaime Guerrero on his website – www.guerreroglass.com or his Instagram account www.instagram.com/guerreroglass.
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See more from Pittsburgh Latino Magazine’s November-December 2025 print issue.
