Widely regarded as one of the godfathers of the functional glass community, Banjo works glass in a torch to create mind-blowing psychedelic sculpture that transcends its functionality. In doing so, the artist has attracted a legion of faithful fans and collectors, many who do not smoke marijuana.

Banjo’s glasswork brings to life interdimensional biomechanical deities that represent the emergence of sacred feminine energy within the post-modern techno-industrial matrix. He also pays homage to pop culture, crafting thousand-plus piece Transformer robots, motorcycles, cars, and Star Wars characters in borosilicate glass.

Though it’s happening, Banjo and his contemporaries don’t need gallery support or acceptance from the mainstream art world in order to sell their work. The functional glass community has always been tightly woven with the fibers of social networking. With over 150,000 followers on Instagram, hungry collectors devour Banjo’s new work the minute images appear online.

“Pipe-makers, glassblowers, and even glass collectors make up an entirely new class of cannabis celebrity,” wrote Ben Parker Karris, editor and correspondent for Kind Stash, Los Angeles, California. “With the nationwide legalization of marijuana, more artists will be inspired to enter the glass industry, because the demand for pieces is growing so quickly. This heightened demand creates a rise in the value of the work as well. Artists who were once barely earning money for their work are sometimes pulling in as much as $30,000 per piece.”

In 2016, Banjo had his first solo exhibition, Sacramental Vessels, held October 8 through November 13, 2016 at Gregorio Escalante Gallery in Los Angeles, California. Featured alongside other visionary works by Alex and Allyson Grey, Amanda Sage, Chris Dyer, and Luke Brown, Banjo’s android-goddesses snuggled in amongst their pistons and gears, represent harbingers of another incremental step towards normalizing and celebrating marijuana culture as part of creative life. Goddesses in vibrant transparent colors mingled with those created in opaque glass, each one surrounded by the hundreds of detailed nuts, bolts, screws, and knobs of Banjo’s mega-mechanisms.

In terms of industry growth over the next few years, many believe the functional glass movement has a chance to become one of the biggest art movements in recent history. According to Banjo, the government called glass pipes a billon dollar industry as far back as 2003. He estimates that currently between five and 10 functional glass artists are earning half a million dollars per year, with over 300 artists bringing in over 100K each.

Visual artist collective made up of Oliver Vernon, Mars-1, Damon Soule, David Lee and Nome Edonna. The Furtherrr Collective is known for pushing the boundaries in Sci-fi abstract psychedelic painting.

Pete Sawyer & The Left Hand Monkey Wrench Gang offer a high energy “all killer, no filler” Grateful Dead experience every time they take the stage.  Featuring unique combinations of many of the foremost interpreters of Grateful Dead music, Pete and The Gang have taken Northern California by storm in 2024 and they always deliver a well-curated exploration of the beloved Grateful Dead songbook!

Pete Sawyer & The Left Hand Monkey Wrench Gang Collaborators: 

Jeremy Hoenig (Phil Lesh, JGB), Scott Guberman (Phil Lesh, Live Dead ‘69), Sunshine Becker (Bob Weir and Phil Lesh’s Further, JGB), Elliott Peck (Phil Lesh, Midnight North), Mookie Siegel (Bob Weir, Phil Lesh), Pete Lavezzoli (Phil Lesh, Oteil and Friends), Nate LaPointe (Cubensis, Bobby Womack), James Nash (Bob Weir, Phil Lesh), John-Paul McLean (JGB, Chuck Prophet), Sean Nelson (Phil Lesh, Stu Allen), Danny Eisenberg (Phil Lesh, Ryan Adams), Danny Luehring (Phil Lesh, Stu Allen), Justin Purtill (JGB, Stu Allen), Murph Murphy (Stu Allen, Poor Man’s Whiskey), Eric Levy (Garaj Mahal, Night Ranger), Jeanette Ferber (Phil Lesh, Stu Allen), Kara Cavanaugh (Terrapin Flyer, Melvin Seals), Reed Mathis (Billy Kreutzmann, Mickey Hart), Matt Lazarus (Stu Allen, The Joint Chiefs), Burt Lewis (Jerry’s Middle Finger, Stu Allen),Mark Karan (Bob Weir’s Ratdog, Phil Lesh and Friends, The Other Ones, Ezra Lipp (Phil Lesh, ALO, Hayley Jane (Ryan Montbleau), Celso Alberti (Steve Winwood, Airto), Mark Corsolini (Dark Star Orchestra, JGB), Steve Sofranko (Stu Allen, China Cats), Brian Rashap (Terrapin Family Band, Mother Hips), Mike Meaghar (Stu Allen, Saints Of Circumstance), Jonny Mojo (Achilles Wheel, Stu Allen), John Hanrahan (Stu Allen, Love Supreme Quartet), Paul Rustigian (Freestone Peaches, Brightshine), Jordan Feinstein (Phil Lesh, Stu Allen), Mike Owens (China Cats, Stu Allen), Jenifer Freebairn (Woodworkers, Brightshine, Carrie Adler (Seconds On End), Lucas Carlton (Hot Buttered Rum, Stu Allen).

Just Two Friends with a Big Dream (and a Love for Good Food)

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Chef Zachary and Lydia,  partners in crime, and hospitality,  brought together by a shared love of great food, warm vibes, and making people feel at home. What started as mutual admiration naturally evolved into a partnership, blending their talents and passion to create something special.

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With Chef Zachary’s culinary skills and Lydia’s knack for making every experience feel special, they’re creating something more than just good food. they’re building moments people won’t forget. They bring heart, humor, and a little bit of chaos to everything they do, because let’s be real, if you’re not having fun, what’s the point?

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This isn’t just a business; it’s a passion project, fueled by good flavors, good people, and the belief that a great meal can bring everyone together.