Springfest 2026: Meet the Street Painters & Glass Blowers

"Michael William Kirby was born in the city of Baltimore in 1975. At an early age he began to paint scenes from the life of an ordinary boy of the bay and took an interest in mural painting. At the age of nineteen he went to study in Italy and learned the techniques of fresco painting. Here he also discovered the art of ephemeral murals or street painting. He began to create ephemeral pieces in Florence. After a while Michael began to do more original work on the pavement in larger scales and began to be noticed by more than just tourists of Florence and picked up many jobs as a muralist.

As a Street Painter, Michael has won various competitions and been featured in numerous festivals and galleries across the world. Today Michael is considered to be if not the best street painter in the world as written in the LA Times. He has worked in more cities than any other artist in the world. He has worked in over 200 cities including Rome, Paris, London, Berlin, New York, Mexico City, Guadalajara, San Francisco, Caracas, Cartagena, and many more. To this day he is still traveling and working in more cities every year. 

In 2004, Michael Kirby returned to the city of his birth to create a new studio using the techniques he has learned abroad. Since his return, Michael has been selected to be apart of various exhibits and commissions. As well as receiving critical acclaim for his work, Michael Kirby has also been featured on National TV shows such as the David Letterman Show, Ace of Cakes, Culpe di Fulmine, DueschTV, BBC, Amsterdam Metro, and others."

"Joel Yau brings his passion for street painting to audiences around the world, appearing as a featured artist at festivals across North and Central America, Europe, and Asia. An award-winning street painter, Joel creates large-scale ephemeral artworks on the ground, captivating viewers with vibrant portraits and stunning 3D anamorphic designs that seem to leap off the pavement.

Joel is an avid traveler who draws endless inspiration from the world around him. He channels his creativity into a variety of artistic pursuits, sharing his talents with the community. Discover more of his work at studioyau.com."

"Born in Torreón, México, Abraham Burciaga has developed art projects and been part of street art festivals in México, Germany, USA, Italy, Netherlands, Colombia, Switzerland, Denmark and Ecuador. In this way, he has worked in different social projects involving companies and organizations like Peñoles, LALA, UAQ, Arocena Museum, and WCS Ecuador, based on Yasuní jungle to protect wild life in Amazonas area. He currently develops and produces XXL 3D street art thought his group URBAN LAB MX all around Mexico and beyond."

"Glass is the perfect medium to capture motion. It is the fluid nature of hot glass that allows me to create and freeze a moment in time forever." -Eli Cecil

"Eli discovered his passion for glass while studying at Salisbury University, where an introductory glass blowing course sparked a lifelong pursuit. After graduating, he refined his craft in West Palm Beach, Florida, working alongside renowned glass artist Fabiano Zanchi and blending traditional venetian techniques with modern design.

Now back in Salisbury, Maryland, Eli is the founder of Glass Half Full, a studio and gallery dedicated to creativity, education, and community. His work captures the balance of precision and spontaneity that defines the art of glass."

"Drawing from his background as a professional chef, he compares glassblowing to cooking. 'A craft defined by heat, timing, and communication - merging precision with expressive energy in every piece.' -Jeff Mick

Jeff Mick was born and raised on the Eastern Shore and discovered glassblowing during a family trip to Vermont - an experience that shaped his creative path. He earned his Fine Arts degree with a concentration in glassblowing from Salisbury University, later returning as a Teaching Assistant and Studio Technician to refine his technical skill and commitment to education. 

His work spans functional vessels, sculptural forms, and neon integrated with soft-glass compositions. Advanced training at the Corning Museum of Glass strengthened his expertise in murrini, sandblasting, and sculptural techniques using photosensitive decals. He later spent three years traveling internationally with Celebrity cruise line, further honing his versatility. 

Now Senior Glass Artist at Glass Half Full, Jeff brings a seasoned hand and intuitive sense of timing to the studio."