Maker Spotlight: Jay Kravitz

Name: Jay Kravitz
City: Oakland, California
Makerspace(s): The Crucible, Maker Faire, Obscura Digital, rsneight Designs, Five Ton Crane, The Exploratorium
Day Job(s): Maker Faire Curator, Logistics and Placements, Event Producer, Freelance Fabricator, Large-Art Install Technician, Designer, Special Ops

How’d you get started making? In 1999, I skittered off the streets into The Crucible, an industrial art school in the East Bay (less than one month after the initial lease signing). I spent many many late nights helping to build out the space and I — in the process — learned how to weld, blacksmith, fabricate, you name it. Eventually I was tasked with the creation::cultivation of the Crucible’s design identity along with managing, producing, and stage directing all of its epic fundraising events from 1999-2010, including Fire Operas, Fire Ballets, and the much-acclaimed Fire Arts Festivals. As an artifact, I learned how to manage large events.

What type of maker would you classify yourself as? I like to dabble and master in an array of disciplines. My portfolio encompasses metal, glass, fire, ink, photography, found objects, web and graphic design, event management, music and performance — twisting sculpture into visual and tactile emblems of life.

What’s your favorite thing you’ve made? I’m very proud of the Raygun Gothic Rocketship and the Nautilus built alongside my compadres at Five Ton Crane. They are both proof of concept for community-driven art on an epic scale.

What’s something you’d like to make next? I’m most interested in building community. I’ve devoted my life to it.

Any advice for people reading this? Go to Maker Faire and get inspired!

Who else should we profile?
Becca Henry
Tom Sepe
Michael Christian
Orion Fredericks
Nemo Gould

You can find Jay at
Art Builds

We highlight different makers from our broad community to show you the faces and stories behind the projects. Meet all the amazing people featured in Maker Spotlight. Want to nominate someone, maybe even yourself? Send a note with your responses to the bolded prompts above to makerspotlight@makermedia.com.