Sponsored by Betallic/Sempertex
Kawasaki, Japan

Rie Hosokai is a balloon artist based in Japan. She specializes in weaving modeling balloons. She first encountered balloons in 1998 and launched her own company, "Daisy Balloon," in 2002. She first participated in Twist & Shout in 2005, winning the Top Twister award that same year.

In Japan, she runs the "Amikomi Dojo," a school where students can learn weaving techniques from the basics, and trains them. Rie is committed to passing on balloon techniques to future generations and has lectured at balloon seminars around the world. Daisy Balloon, an artist unit with art director Takashi Kawada, has created conceptual installations for art museums and large commercial facilities around the world.

Sponsored by Betallic/Sempertex
Mount Juliet, Tennessee

Anthony was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, and has lived in the suburbs of Nashville his whole life. He just recently celebrated 25 years of doing balloon art. Anthony has received many awards for his work including winning the title of “Designer of the Year” at FLOAT 2022 and “Top Twister” at Twist & Shout 2025.

He is the owner of Balloons of Pure Awesomeness located in Mt. Juliet, TN. They offer balloon décor, balloon twisting entertainment, balloon deliveries, and balloon/magic shows. He’s the owner, but his mom, dad, brother, and wife all help out with different aspects of their business. It is truly a family business! Balloon Art is truly his passion in life, and loves sharing his knowledge and experiences with others.

Sponsored by Betallic/Sempertex
Nashville, Tennessee

Sam Cremeens is a Nashville-based balloon artist, entertainer, and decorator who first discovered the magic of balloon art in the summer of 2003. What began as a playful hobby quickly evolved into a full-time career when he moved to Nashville in 2011 to chase his dream of making a living doing what he loves. Today, Sam makes over 300 appearances annually, dazzling crowds at birthday parties, corporate events, trade shows, school and church carnivals, and restaurants. His passion for performance and education led him to co-host the Balloon Blast Video Show and produce a series of instructional videos for aspiring artists.

Sam’s talent and dedication have earned him international recognition, including prestigious awards like Top Twister 2020 and the Betallic Inspire Award in 2025. He’s also served as a featured instructor at major balloon and entertainment conventions across the globe. Now, as a proud partner with Betallic, Sam is excited to bring fresh, imaginative ideas to balloon enthusiasts everywhere—helping elevate your balloon adventures with creativity, fun, and a touch of flair.

Sponsored by Gemar
Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Stephanie Gintz Morace is the creative mind behind Baton Rouge Balloons, a decor and entertainment company that has been thriving for over a decade. She has taken her background in engineering and applied it to her art in an innovative way. She has a knack for creating complex designs with incredible wow factor, but then also simplifying them to something that is useful in everyday applications. Her designs are always a hit, which has earned her numerous awards including to Top Twister for 2019 and the Top Entertainer for 2025. While she loves to learn new designs and techniques that push the boundaries of the balloon industry, she also knows that sharing simple and fast tips and tricks will make an immediate impact to your business. Prepare to learn some new fast designs for some of your most requested characters as well as ways to add value to you parties. In the classroom and in the jam room, Stephanie is always ready to teach and share her passion for our wonderful industry.

Sponsored by Gemar
São Paulo, Brazil

From São Paulo, Brazil, began his journey into the world of balloons over eight years ago. What started as a passion quickly grew into a remarkable career, where he discovered his true talent for transforming balloons into creative, detailed, and larger-than-life sculptures.

Victor is especially known for his unique technique of painting and adding realistic effects to his balloon creations, giving them depth, vibrancy, and an almost lifelike appearance. This distinctive style has made his work stand out, bringing characters and themes to life in a way that fascinates both audiences and fellow artists.

Sponsored by Gemar
The Woodlands, Texas

Michael is the visionary artist and founder behind Magical Balloons Entertainment, a premier balloon artistry and event entertainment company based in The Woodlands, Texas. With over 20 years of experience, Michael transforms ordinary spaces into unforgettable experiences through his masterful balloon creations and imaginative designs.

Sponsored by Kalisan
Houston, Texas

Described by The New York Times as “one of the greatest avant-garde balloon artists in the United States”, DJ Morrow has been creating balloons as fine art since 2019. He uses detailed sculptures and dramatic lighting to create images and in-person exhibitions that push the boundaries of what's accepted and expected out of balloon art. Exploring themes like grief, identity, religion, and politics, DJ believes the unique ephemerality and mass appeal of the medium has the potential to change the world

Sponsored by Twist & Shout
Los Angeles, California

Shana Sharp has been entertaining audiences with balloon art for 18 years, and with improv comedy for 15 years. In 2020 she began livestreaming her art and has been hired to produce sponsored content for brands like Coca-Cola and Crocs. She hosted and co-produced Balloon Builders on Noggin from 2021-2024. As an instructor in the balloon industry, she has taught since 2012 in half a dozen countries and is most widely known for her drawing and improvisational skills. She fully believes that you can make anything out of balloons. Yes, you.

Sponsored by Twist & Shout
New York, New York

Dave is a performer, balloon artist and educator with over 25 years of experience. He has gained notoriety as an instructor at balloon conventions worldwide, sharing his unique perspective on the art and performance of balloons. Dubbed “The King of Cute” by his pal Buster Balloon, Dave specializes in adorable balloon designs, interactive stage acts, and large scale installations. His skills as a host and MC have led him to roles including the judge of New Zealand’s Blow Up, and hosting awards ceremonies for the most prestigious balloon artist events (especially Twist & Shout!) He has also been recognized for his contributions to the balloon community, receiving the 2023 David Grist Memorial Award for his tireless efforts to help his fellow artists learn and grow.  

Master Class
Chicago, Illinois

Smarty Pants is a Chicago based balloon artist and creator of the Big Balloon Show, a unique balloon stage show featuring magic, hilarious comedy and giant balloon props. A professional entertainer for nearly twenty years, Smarty Pants performs over 200 shows a year in schools, libraries, community centers, and theaters.  “Yes, this is his REAL JOB.”

He is also a regular feature on the WGN-TV Morning News program, bringing super silly balloon fun to millions of viewers watching at home.

Smarty Pants has been an active participant in Twist and Shout since its inaugural convention and remains dedicated to helping the next generation of balloon artists achieve their full potential.