Jason Kartez

Originally from Freeport, Maine, Jason Kartez is the Design Fundamentals II and CTE Fine Arts Teacher/Coordinator at Da Vinci Design. Kartez holds an M.F.A. from the University of Wisconsin Madison, a B.F.A. from Alfred University, and a single subject art credential from Cal State LA.

Kartez’s art career has spanned media such as glass, sculpture, ceramics, neon, comics, wood, and printmaking. For 10 years Jason was a professional glassblower working for artists in Seattle and at the Pilchuck Glass School. During graduate school Kartez moved away from glass toward making comics and K-12 education. He also worked as a research/teaching assistant for the artist Lynda Barry.  Kartez has taught comics at the University of Wisconsin Madison and was the Horatio Alger Jr. Fellow for the study of American Pop Culture at Northern Illinois University.

Since moving to Los Angeles in 2018, Kartez has been dedicated to art education, teaching at both the middle and high school levels. He joined Da Vinci Design in 2022, where he uses project-based learning and real-world application to share his experience and passion for the arts with students. Kartez also serves as Director of the Southern California Art Education Association, advocating for arts education in California classrooms through legislation and policy, museum education, and teacher development.

In 2025-26 Kartez led Da Vinci Design Fine Arts pathway students in the inaugural art car project, creating California Dream’n. The car participated in the 39th Houston Art Car Parade, where it took home 1st place overall.