Dan Jacavanco

After graduating from WPI with a degree in engineering, Dan Jacanvanco followed a professional path in design, sales, and consulting while developing his creative passions in photography, woodworking, painting, and leatherwork.

In 2021, Dan suffered several strokes, a seizure, and traumatic open-heart surgery. After years of recovery, he found himself at a crossroads. His eyesight, motor skills, and cognition were all compromised, yet he needed to find a way to remain creative and productive.

After many failed attempts, Dan discovered that kinetic sculpture offered the perfect blend of engineering, design, and woodworking—drawing on the skills he had cultivated throughout his life.

He immersed himself in the challenge of teaching himself how to design and construct mobiles, creating tools and jigs to accommodate his physical and cognitive limitations.

After two years of trial and error, Dan developed a system for making mobiles using hardwood and stainless-steel rod—a process that is quiet, clean, and non-toxic.