Jay A. Grassel

Visual Art – Pittsburgh

Jay A. Grassel was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In spring 2014, he will receive his degree in Studio Arts at the University of Pittsburgh. Grassel has already been included in various important exhibitions including “Art of the State” at Pennsylvania State Museum, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and “Jay A. Grassel, New Works” at Sewickley Art Initiative, Sewickley, Pennsylvania. Upcoming shows include “The Shape of Space” at Gallery Black Lagoon, Austin, Texas. Grassel recently teamed up with other artists to create the first ecological mural for the Millvale Community Library located in a city neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Millvale, Pennsylvania. Grassel draws from his experience as a paratrooper in the United States Army while serving in Operation Enduring Freedom as well as working as a stonemason for five years. ­While working for the University of Pittsburgh as a shop technician, Grassel maintained the metal and wood shops while teaching valuable skills to other students.