Born and raised in Kanazawa, Japan, a city celebrated for its rich craft traditions, Sakano comes from a family with a deep-rooted history in kimono making. This heritage has profoundly influenced her artistic approach, emphasizing minimalism, disciplined lines, and meticulous handcraftsmanship.
Sakano earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture from Syracuse University and her Master of Fine Arts from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. In 2000, she co-founded One Sixty Glass in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, establishing a full-service glass design and fabrication studio. Over the years, she has collaborated with renowned designers such as Lindsey Adelman and Jorge Pardo, and her work has been featured in prominent publications including The New York Times, Architectural Digest, and Elle Décor.
As an educator, Sakano has taught at institutions such as the Cleveland Institute of Art, MIT, New York University, Ohio State University, Tyler School of Art, University of Wisconsin, UrbanGlass, Pilchuck Glass School, and the Penland School of Craft, as well as programs in Europe and Japan.
During her visit, Sakano will work closely with UMW students, guiding them as they explore new techniques and approaches to glassblowing. This residency offers students a unique opportunity to learn directly from an expert in the field and gain insight into both the creative and technical aspects of working with glass.
The residency will conclude with a free public presentation and demonstration on Saturday, April 26, in UMW’s Emerick Art Studio. The presentation will begin at 3:30 p.m., followed by a live demonstration at 5:00 p.m., where attendees can experience the glassblowing process up close. This event is free and open to the public and provides an exciting opportunity for the campus and broader community to engage with a highly skilled artist.
For more information, please contact UMW’s Glass Program Coordinator and Associate Professor of Fine Art, Ruth King, at ruth.king@umwestern.edu or call 406-683-7344.
