Joe Grant III is originally from Champaign, Illinois, where he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Illinois, in 2001.  Following his BFA, he moved east to work in several sculptural glass studios in Connecticut and Rhode Island.  Joe is currently living in Richmond, Virginia, having just completed his Master of Fine Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University.  He has achieved many accomplishments in his artistic career, including exhibiting in Illinois, Kentucky, California, and Virginia.  He received two full scholarships to attend Pilchuck Glass School and a scholarship to attend Haystack Mountain School of Crafts.  He later returned as a teaching assistant to both schools, in addition to the University of Illinois, Pittsburgh Glass Center, and Appalachian School of Crafts.  While earning his MFA, Joe taught three semesters of hot glass classes at Virginia Commonwealth University.