I use nature, chance and my experiences as inspiration for my art glass. My art is playful, adventurous, colorful and distinctive. When I make something I always begin with the end in mind. However, during the glassmaking process the design can easily be changed. Inspiration is also drawn from color combinations in fashion, interior design and Art.

James Hayes was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He owns and operates the James Hayes Art Glass Company in Pine Bluff. After receiving an art degree from Hendrix College in Conway Arkansas in 1988, he searched for a new medium to express his artistic talent. Three months later he discovered glassblowing at the Arkansas Arts Center Museum School. He has studied glassblowing in Murano, Italy; Paris, France; the Glass Furnace in Istanbul; Urban Glass Brooklyn, New York; New Town Plaza in Hong Kong; and the Pilchuck Glass School near Seattle, Washington.

James has had numerous solo and group exhibitions throughout the United States over the years. Some of his honors include an invitation from the White House to design a Christmas tree ornament, being featured on High Profile in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, and in addition, being featured on KTHV Channel 11’s Everyone has a Story. James has been featured in multiple publications since 1996 to present date. He has been on the cover of At Home in Arkansas magazine and featured in Southern Living Magazine. James was chosen for the design of the 2001 Governor’s Arts Awards in addition to designing ornaments for the James Hayes Christmas Tree in the Governor’s Mansion in 2007. He was awarded the Hendrix College Odyssey Medal in Artistic Creativity for the 2006-2007 year. James was also awarded the Business of Art Award from Pulaski Technical College in 2008. He has been selected by multiple organizations, charities, and annual events to create custom glass awards that are presented to recipients every year including The Above the Barre Award for Ballet Arkansas, All of the Governor’s Culinary Challenge Awards for Arkansas, The Kindred Spirit Award, for the Muses, The Autism Angel Award for the Arkansas Autism Foundation, The Margaret Spearman Award and the Good Egg Awards for the Arts and Science Center of Pine Bluff, AR, Memorial awards (Madonna) for Ave Maria of Memphis, TN, the awards for the Chancellor’s Benefit for the Arts for UAPB, the Helen May Compassionate Care Award for UAMS, the Miracles Begin at ACHRI Award for Arkansas Children’s Hospital, and many more. His chandeliers have been showcased at many locations as they have chosen him to create works of art on permanent display. These creations can be found at The Burrow at his alma matter, Hendrix College, two at the UAMS Psychiatric Research Institute in Little Rock Arkansas, a large series of Chandeliers at the St. Elizabeth Edgewood in Cincinnati Ohio, one at the Arts and Science Center of Pine Bluff, and the largest Hayes Chandelier to date, at 15 feet in length, was installed at Hempstead Hall at the University of Arkansas at Hope in 2018. Two of his largest events include an installation at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs where hundreds of his works were on display outside for Splash of Glass exhibit from May to September of 2013, and an event showcasing his work in Hong Kong with a large installation, daily demonstrations, and where custom ornaments were created and sold in 2016.

Over time, James’ works have become available to the public in boutiques, gift shops, galleries, art centers, and institutions in an area that spans several states. In Arkansas, his works are available at his own showroom in Pine Bluff, Shepherds Tipton and Hurst in Pine Bluff, Keepsake’s Jewelry and Gifts in White Hall, The Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie in Stuttgart, The Rare Hare in Stuttgart, The Orchards at Keo in Keo, Everyday Chef in Little Rock, Arkansas Arts Center in Little Rock, Arkansas State Capitol Gift Shop in Little Rock, Gallery 26 in Little Rock, Full Moon in Little Rock, Hillcrest Designer Jewelry in Little Rock, Greenhaw’s Fine Men’s Wear in Little Rock, Clinton Museum Store in Little Rock, Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, UAMS Gift Shop, Red Door Gallery in North Little Rock, Gallery Central in Hot Springs, Sara Howell Art Gallery in Jonesboro Everyday Chef in Jonesboro, Something Special in Helena, Chez Weenie in Forrest City, The Enclave Gallery at White Furniture in Benton, 1894 Gallery in Texarkana, Village Books at Hendrix College in Conway, Tipton and Hurst in Conway, Mina Rea’s in El Dorado, The Nest in Pigot, Honeysuckle and Home in Rector, Hair and Body Boutique in Augusta, Purdy’s Flowers and Gifts in Newport, Inscriptions in Fort Smith, The Arrangement shop in Rison, Carren’s Flowers and gifts in Searcy, the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute Gift Shop in Morrilton. In Tennessee, his work is available at T. Clifton Art in Memphis and the Memphis Brooks Museum in Memphis. Valerosa in Tyler, and at Rutherford’s in Dallas. In Louisiana his work is available at C & C Electric and Lighting Inc. in Shreveport and at the LSU Museum of Art in Baton Rouge. In Missouri, his works are available at Personal Expressions in Sikeston. Finally, in Iowa, his works are available at the National Czech & Slovak Museum Store in Cedar Rapids.