GLASS SOCETY OF IRELAND COMMITTEE REFORMATION – APPLICATIONS INVITED, IRL

The Glass Society of Ireland provides a network for makers, collectors, students, historians, writers, and enthusiasts in the field of contemporary glass practice. The Society acts as a communication tool, offering people news on glass and related fields. We also hold lectures with glass practitioners and organise larger events every number of years.

As part of the ongoing development of the volunteer-based organisation, the Glass Society of Ireland is currently enlisting members for the reformation of its committee. Each position will be held for a two year period.

The Glass Society of Ireland welcomes expressions of interest from applicants across the country as we venture to build on the Society’s existing objectives and to expand our community and audiences.

The positions available are:

Treasurer
(Financial accountability)

Education Officer
(Co-ordinating, facilitating, & developing Glass Society of Ireland events)

Student Representative
(Liaising between Committee and student bodies)

Membership Co-ordinator
(Building strong relationships and recruiting members)

Development Officer
(Grant application writing)

Media Communications Officer
(Sending fortnightly bulletin and updating blog & social media sites)

To apply, please email your CV and a brief statement explaining which position you are interesting in taking by 31st August 2012.

E: glasssocietyofireland@gmail.com
W: glasssocietyofireland.blogspot.com

DUBLIN CRAFT WRITERS GROUP

The next meeting of the Dublin Craft Writers Group is on Monday 30th July from 7-9pm in the Design Tower on Pearse Street. Please feel welcome to come (even if this is the only one that you can make all year). People are very welcome on an occasional and one-off basis as well as the regular gang.

Reading: We will look at the ways that one writer is written about and for this session will focus on Scottish potter Jennifer Lee, mainly because she has several essays accessible on her website http://www.jenniferlee.co.uk/essays/index.html. Choose two of these, print out, and bring it to the group. Interesting to see if we all choose the same ones... The selection is part of the reading process!

Writing: Looking at book reviews this month - so please bring a 300 word piece on a craft-related book that you feel strongly about (positive or negative). Alternatively, bring a piece of writing that you are already working on if you want feedback. Short extracts (300-500 words) are ideal.

E: eleanorflegg@gmail.com

COMMISSIONING ARTISTS FOR PUBLIC SPACES SEMINAR, NI

This seminar with consultant and curator Frances Lord is intended for those who want to explore the benefits and practicalities of involving artists in the creative development of new buildings and the public realm. It takes place at PLACE, Belfast, on the 16th of August from 10.30am-1.00pm. Admission is free but booking is required.

This seminar, directed towards local authority officers, architects, interior designers and landscape architects, will include case studies and discuss innovative ways of working with artists, selection methods, matching aspirations to budgets and best practice in terms of embedding artists within communities.

Frances Lord is a consultant and curator with a background in crafts who specialises in developing and managing public art and commissioning projects. Clients include local authorities, healthcare trusts, environmental and regeneration agencies, museums and galleries. Frances is an Artistic Assessor (craft, design and pubilc art) for Arts Council England.

T: 028 9032 3059
E: info@craftni.org
W: http://craftni.org/events/commissioning-artists-for-public-spaces/

ROISIN DE BUITLEAR AND EMMA BOURKE, 21ST CENTURY ICONS, GALWAY CITY MUSEUM
Some of Ireland's most exciting contemporary jewellers re-interpret the iconic forms of Celtic neckpieces, torcs and lunulas for the 21st Century. The function of jewellery has always been to convey status. This was particularly true of the torc, whose ostentatious size and weight could communicate the force and power of the wearer. But in contemporary usage, the torc has become an object of kitsch, often geared towards the tourist. But if we were to design neckpieces now that conveyed something about us - as Irish - to the world, what would they say? And what would they look like? Would they be gold? Recycled? Injection moulded? Would they be images of power and beauty? Shackles? Or blue collars?

21st Century Icons offers a unique opportunity for 21 of Ireland’s most innovative and creative makers to suggest some answers. The makers responses have included inspiration from a vast array of influences including the National Museum’s Bronze Age gold collection (Inga Reed); sheep’s wool from Co. Waterford (Eily O’Connell); the spiritual warrior women of Irish legend (Melissa Curry); Celtic lunulas (Christina Brosnan); the Tudor style ruff (Rachel McKnight); the 21st century neckpiece, the ipod headphones (Sam Hamilton); social networking (Laura McNamara) and tangles of Irish branches and tree roots (Emma Bourke).

The exhibition, which is curated by Ann Mulrooney, will continue until 2nd August 2012 at Galway City Museum.

W: http://www.ccoi.ie/gallery/exhibition.php?listing_ID=114

LARGER SCALE WORKING: POTENTIAL AND PITFALLS SEMINAR, NI

This seminar with consultant and curator Frances Lord is intended for makers who want to find out more about the opportunities and practical considerations involved in working on public art and large scale craft commissions. It takes place at R-Space, Lisburn on the 15th of August from 2pm-4pm. Admission is free but booking is required.

The seminar will include case studies, discuss the role of the artist, skills required, selection methods, making proposals, budgets and fees, artists' contracts, matching aspirations to budgets and trouble shooting.

Frances Lord is a consultant and curator with a background in crafts who specialises in developing and managing public art and commissioning projects. Clients include local authorities, healthcare trusts, environmental and regeneration agencies, museums and galleries. Frances is an Artistic Assessor (craft, design and public art) for Arts Council England.

T: 028 9032 3059
E: info@craftni.org
W: http://craftni.org/events/larger-scale-working-potential-and-pitfalls/

BLOWN AND THROWN EXHIBITION BY CATHERINE KEENAN AND ADAM FREW

Potter Adam Frew and glassblower Catherine Keenan both express a fascination with colour in their work. Adam makes colour intrinsic to a piece by staining clay and has developed a ‘double walled’ throwing technique to have different layers of colour breaking through in his surface drawings. Catherine uses a variety of glass blowing techniques of colour and pattern application in order to ‘uplift’ the viewer.

Blown and Thrown exhibition takes place at The Loft Gallery, Portaferry Tourist Information and Visitor Centre until 28th July 2012.

T: 028 9182 6846
W: http://ardscreates.com/events/view/07/07/12/blown-thrown-an-exhibition-by-catherine-keenan-and-adam-frew

KAREN DONNELLAN, EUROPEAN PRIZE FOR APPLIED ARTS

The European Prize for Applied Arts 2012 World Crafts Council Mixed Media exhibition, featuring Karen Donnellan in Young Talents, takes place at the Grand Halle Des Anciens Abattoirs De Mons, Belgium, from 14th July to 9th September 2012. Objects and furniture design, textile design, contemporary ceramics, jewellery and silversmithing, glass, and metalwork from both craft masters and emerging artists are included. Established designers and young talents interact thanks to an exhibition design from entrusted to Evelyne Gilmont, a designer from Brussels teaching at the School of Plastic and Visual Arts of Mons.

T: 00 32 65 846 467
E: wccbf@wcc-bf.org
W: www.wcc-bf.org
W: www.karendonnellan.com

GLASMUSEUM EBELTOFT OPEN CALL FOR INTERNATIONAL GROUP EXHIBITION

Glasmuseet Ebeltoft is proud to announce an open call for an international group exhibition entitled Bodytalk. This exhibition will take place between 5th April and 2nd November 2014. Artists at any career stage are welcome to submit. Objects can incorporate various materials but must contain an element of glass. The deadline for entries is 1st December 2012.

W: http://www.glasmuseet.dk/en2010/exhibitions/forthcoming/bodytalk.html
W: www.glasmuseet.dk
E: pia@glasmuseet.dk

2012 JERRY RAPHAEL METROPOLITAN CONTEMPORARY GLASS GROUP FELLOWSHIP, NY

The Jerry Raphael MCGG Fellowship is funded through the generosity of the Metropolitan Contemporary Glass Group and hosted by UrbanGlass. The Fellowship award varies year to year based on MCGG member contributions; the minimum award is $2,000. The funds must be used to develop new art work and may be applied to studio fees for glassblowing, casting, kiln working, neon, lampworking, stained glass, coldworking and sandblasting. Acid etching, technical assistance and materials are not eligible expenses. Glass experience is a requirement.

In 2012, while to the studio at UrbanGlass is under renovation, MCGG fellowship recipient artists are permitted to complete their fellowship in a glassworking studio of their choice. Artists are required to submit receipts to document all expenditures related to the fellowship work. The fellowship must be completed by April 2013.

The Jerry Raphael MCGG Fellow must give a slide presentation, a demonstration or a gallery talk for the members of the Metropolitan Contemporary Glass Group. In addition, the Fellow is required to submit photo documentation of work accomplished at the end of the Fellowship period, and to credit both the Metropolitan Contemporary Glass Group and UrbanGlass when the work is exhibited. The Fellow must stay in contact with UrbanGlass and the MCGG for three years following the Fellowship by completing an annual questionnaire.

Applications must be postmarked or hand delivered to UrbanGlass by 5:00 PM, Friday, August 31, 2012. UrbanGlass will not accept applications via email.

W: http://urbanglass.org/opportunities/MCGGfellowship

CONTEMPORARY GLASS SOCIETY INVITES SUBMISSIONS TO EXHIBIT, UK

Two important new exhibitions of world-class glass art are about to mark a renewed interest in a medium that beautifully blurs the boundaries between fine art, craft and design.

Hot Glass: new work from the furnace will be dedicated to the best in contemporary blown, hot-worked and sand-cast glass and takes place at London’s Contemporary Applied Arts (CAA) gallery next spring. Hot Glass, a collaboration between CAA and the Contemporary Glass Society, will present a dynamic mix of new work from some of the world’s most talented artists.

New Glass: Ancient Skill, Contemporary Artform will focus on the skill and creativity of today’s glassmakers in an exhibition at the stunning Blackwell Arts and Crafts house in Bowness-on-Windermere. New Glass, jointly organised with the Lakeland Arts Trust (LAT), will run from January to April next year. It will showcase the best of glassmakers’ skills and artistic vision in synergy with the house and its history. The exhibition will also reveal something of the hidden processes that underpin the glassmaker’s art. Drawings, models and photographic documentation of processes will be presented alongside the work selected for the show.

Both exhibitions are being organised by the Contemporary Glass Society as part of Glass Skills – the second stage of a two-year project to put contemporary glass on the map. The programme began this summer with more than 70 glass events inspired by the Olympic games. Glass Skills follows on with a year-long celebration of the imagination and talent of contemporary glassmakers and their role in keeping ancient skills alive. Artists are now being invited to submit work and proposals.

W: www.cgs.org.uk

CONTEMPORARY GLASS SOCIETY CALL FOR EUROPEAN ARTISTS, ONLINE EXHIBITION

The title of the next Contemporary Glass Society online exhibition is Statements and Questions – European Sculpture. Sculptor Pilar Aldana-Mendez will select and curate the works for this exhibition of European glass sculpture.

Glass artists based in Europe are now being asked to submit entries. This opportunity is open to both members and non-members of the Contemporary Glass Society. Artists must reside in Europe (this show does not include artists based in the UK). The deadline for submission is 27th July 2012. Please email submissions and include one image only of your sculpture in JPEG format. The application must include: artist’s name, country of residence, contact email, title of work, year, size, photography credit, and description of work (e.g. technique, materials used, context for this exhibition, etc.).

E: cgsweb@hotmail.co.uk
W: www.cgs.org.uk

ARCHITECTURE AND THE ARTISTRY OF GLASS, UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON

As part of the 2012 International Festival of Glass this one-day symposium entitled Architecture and the Artistry of Glass explores the relationship between glass and architectural forms whether in terms of building materials or the artist wedded to architecture. The symposium brings together artists and designers with distinguished international profiles including John Lewis, Danny Lane, Brent Richards, Tomasz Urbanowicz and Keith Cummings. This symposium will take place on Friday 24th August 2012 from 10sm to 5pm. Prices: standard £130/ student £65.

E: Max.Stewart@wlv.ac.uk
W:  www.wlv.ac.uk/artanddesign/glassbiennale

MASTERCLASSES AT INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF GLASS, UK

The International Festival of Glass 2012 is fast approaching. Masterclasses are quickly selling out but there are still a few opportunities to learn a new skill or sharpen up your existing skills. As well as Olympic and Jubilee year, the IFG is celebrating 50 years of the Studio Glass Movement and 400 years of Glassmaking in Stourbridge. Why not join us in the celebrations!

Have a go at glass blowing with Fritz Dreisbach, a pioneer of the Studio Glass Movement - shorter one and a half day classes are now being offered for beginners. Learn how to make flameworked glass sculptures that move with Bandhu Scott Dunham. This class is also suitable to all skill levels. Or try your hand at the forever fascinating skill of marble making with Diana East and Sean Taylor.

For those with an interest in the latest technology, water jet cutting with Vanessa Cutler and digital 3D CAD modelling with Shelley Doolan are available. Both of these courses can also be suitable for jewellers, ceramicists etc. No experience is necessary but basic computer skills are useful. Study the traditional skill of wheel engraving and, in particular, the art of portrait engraving with Alison Kinnaird. Find out how John Lewis incorporates his contemporary cast elements into modern architecture and try out his methods of hot casting into different types of materials.

W: www.ifg.org.uk
W: http://www.ifg.org.uk/all-classes.html
E: masterclasses@ifg.org.uk

NORTH LANDS INTERNATIONAL MASTERCLASSES AND WEEKEND CONFERENCE

North Lands’ 2012 Master Classes will be running between 29th August and 19th September. They offer a total of four Master Classes, with two running concurrently before the Conference and two after. The first two Master Classes will run from 29th August to 6th September with Angela Jarman and Jacqui Poncelet. The second two Classes will run from 11th to 19th September with Paul Marioni and Susan Stinsmuehlen-Amend.

The North Lands International Conference ‘Give-and-Take’ will take place on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th September 2012. The conference will explore conceptual and stylistic exchanges over time, between different cultures and media.

T: 01593 721 229
E: info@northlandsglass.com
W: www.northlandsglass.com/events/master-class-and-conference-programme

FACILITIES MANAGER AT GLASS AXIS, OHIO

Glass Axis is a vibrant non-profit glass centre dedicated to making and learning and are currently inviting applications to the role of Facilities Manager. Compensation will be from $20,000 to $26,000 plus up to $9000 studio credit annually based on experience and qualifications. Benefits include health insurance stipend, paid vacation, and sick days. 




Facilities Manager is a part-time 30 hours per week salaried position that reports directly to the Executive Director. This position also works closely with administrative and education staff, plus Board of Trustees Committees. Applicants will be expected to work flexible hours, including some nights and weekends.




The Facilities Manger is responsible for the overall vision, direction, and upkeep of the glass facilities at Glass Axis including Hot Shop, Cold Shops, Warm Shops, and Metal Shop. This includes maintaining all equipment, co-steering the educational programs, creating custom and production artworks, and organizing and facilitating community projects. Great attitude, collaborative spirit, and self-motivation are essential.

W: http://glassaxis.org/facilities-manager-opening

JAM FACTORY PROGRAM MANAGER, AUSTRALIA

The JamFactory is seeking an experiences and highly motivated individual to fill the role of Program Manager in the glass studio. The Program Manager will work closely with the Studio’s Creative Director Karen Cunningham, and other studio staff, to manage the day-to-day operations of the glass studio.

The position is offered as a three day per week, part-time role. Other entitlements include significant access to facilities for the production of personal work within the studio. Interested applicants require an excellent knowledge of contemporary glass art and design, particularly within the area of studio production, as well as an established reputation in the field. Applicants should have comprehensively developed craft, design and communication skills as well as relevant studio, organisational and management experience. The deadline for the applications is 24th July 2012.

T: (08) 8410 0727
E: karen.cunningham@jamfactory.com.au
W: www.jamfactory.com.au

CRAFT WRITERS GROUP, DUBLIN
 
The next meeting of the Craft Writers Group is on Monday 2nd July, 7 - 9pm at the Design Tower on Pearse Street. New members are always welcome.

Writing
The written exercise for this month is reviewing - you might try a 300 word review of an exhibition or a book - with the emphasis on saying what you really feel about it and what would happen if you wrote honestly. Balance can be addressed another day!
And/or please feel free to bring an extract of the writing that you're working on.

Reading
As we're moving into the planning stage of our magazine (with the speed of a snail) I want to look at a couple of articles from the American Craft Council's magazine.
http://www.craftcouncil.org/magazine/article/seeker
http://www.craftcouncil.org/magazine/article/coloring-outside-lines
And one from Crafts (the UK equivalent)
http://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/files/crafts-magazine/taster-articles/conversation-pieces-frances-priest.pdf
The idea is to look at the different approaches and think about what works best.

E: eleanorflegg@gmail.com

INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF GLASS
The International Festival of Glass is an exciting programme of events for glass enthusiasts and the public alike, attracting visitors from around the world to venues across the Stourbridge Glass Quarter. Visitors to the Glass Festival (24th – 27th August) can enjoy numerous exhibitions (including the prestigious British Glass Biennale), talks and demonstrations by top glass artists, workshops and taster sessions for all ages, open studios, a glass bead fair, walks exploring the fascinating glass heritage of the area, children’s activities and family days, performances and events and of course lots of opportunities to buy glass.

Entry to many of the Festival venues is free, although charges for activities may apply.  Ruskin Glass Centre Glass Festival entrance fee: £14.50 four day pass, £5 adult day pass, £1 child day pass (24th – 27th August only). 

W: www.ifg.org.uk
W:  www.biennale.org.uk
E: info@ifg.org.uk
T: 01384 399410

SNAKES AND LADDERS EXHIBITION, FEATURING SCOTT BENEFIELD AND ANDREA SPENCER

The Belfry Arts Centre, Norfolk, UK is hosting an exhibition of contemporary glass as part of the Glass Games organised by CGS. There is an interesting mix of established glass artists and those beginning their exploration of the medium. We are especially delighted to welcome guest artist David Reekie. Workshop leader Helen Slater is also exhibiting a very intersting interpretation of the theme.

Exhibiting artists are Scott Benefield/ Andrea Spencer, Malvinka Bitelli, Jenny Brown, Phyllis Dunseath, Maria Fagan, Nora Gaston, William Greenwood, Marion Hewitt, Brett Manley, Wendy Newhofer, Susan Purser-Hope, Victoria Scholes, Ulrike Umlauf-Orrom,Elliot Walker and Liz Waugh McManus.

The glass baton by Bruce Marks will also be on display. The exhibition takes places from 6th – 20th August 2012.

W: www.belfryarts.co.uk

BLOWN AND THROWN EXHIBITION BY CATHERINE KEENAN AND ADAM FREW

Potter Adam Frew and glassblower Catherine Keenan both express a fascination with colour in their work. Adam makes colour intrinsic to a piece by staining clay and has developed a ‘double walled’ throwing technique to have different layers of colour breaking through in his surface drawings. Catherine uses a variety of glass blowing techniques of colour and pattern application in order to ‘uplift’ the viewer.

The exhibition will take place at The Loft Gallery Portaferry Tourist Information and Visitor Centre from 7th to 28th July 2012. Catherine and Adam will give a joint presentation of their work and talk about their separate approaches to colour, and how they have also influenced each other.

Artist talk: Saturday 7th July 2012
11.30am - 1.30pm

T: 028 9182 6846
W: http://ardscreates.com/events/view/07/07/12/blown-thrown-an-exhibition-by-catherine-keenan-and-adam-frew

KAREN DONNELLAN IN GLASS: A JURIED ART SHOW, MINNETRISTA, USA

Minnetrista, in partnership with The Marilyn K. Glick Center for Glass at Ball State University, is hosting its first cooperative juried glass show from 12th May to 12th August 2012. This exhibition is focused on portraying the breadth and range of glass in contemporary contexts of craft, sculpture, and mixed media art. Selected works contain glass or are glass-related. Karen Donnellan is currently showing in this exhibition in Indiana.

W: www.karendonnellan.com

NEW WORKS BY MICHELLE O’ DONNELL

Recent public artworks by Michelle O’ Donnell are now available for viewing. These works include the New Memoriam panels in the Church of The Guardian Angels, Blackrock, Co. Dublin. This is a joint project by artists Michelle O’ Donnell and George Walsh. 

EYEON is another work now open to the public, completed in St. Mary’s new primary school, Drogheda, Co. Louth.
Blessed, also by Michelle O’ Donnell, is a large fused glass cross realised for Clonskeagh Hospital Dublin.

Further information and images available from Glasshammer Studios, Rhode, Co. Offaly.

T: 046 9739290
E:  info@glasshammer.ie
W: www.glasshammer.ie

PAULA STOKES, G8 ,SEATTLE

Paula Stokes will be showing in G8; an exhibition with Janusz Pozniak. The exhibition will continue until 31st August 2012 at Dena Rigby Fine Arts, Winston Wächter Fine Art, Seattle.

T: 00 1 206 409 3749
E: dena@denarigbyfinearts.com
W: www.denarigbyfinearts.com
W: www.paulastokes.com

GLASS WORKSHOP WITH JIYONG LEE, DUBLIN

In this workshop students will focus on understanding various properties of glass material as an artistic medium and learn a variety of cold working processes including cutting, grinding, carving, laminating, and refining and polishing of the surface. The creative possibilities in the workshop will be expended with learning about laminating, adhesives, and general HXTAL lamination set up. Through working on the projects students will explore problem solving in the cold working studio, common mistakes, and efficient ways to cold work glass.

Korean born Jiyong Lee is Head of the Glass program of Southern Illinois University Carbondale since 2005. He graduated from the MFA program at Rochester Institute of Technology in US, 2000. Having his feet in both cultures also has broadened his personal aesthetics and appreciation for different ways of thinking.  He specializes in cold-working and kiln-forming processes and he has exhibited nationally and internationally.  He lectures and gives demonstrations widely, including the 2007 Glass Art Society Conference, Rochester Institute of Technology, the Studio of the Corning Museum of Glass, Cleveland Institute of Art, Penland School of Crafts, Pilchuck Glass School, Pittsburgh Glass Center, and Kook-Min University, Seoul, Korea.

The workshop will take place over five days (17th – 21st September 2012), from 10am to 5pm daily. Places will be limited to twelve and the workshop fee is €250, lunch is included. Experience of working with glass is necessary to partake in this workshop.

W: http://www.firestation.ie/skills/schedule/category/masterclass/

SUMMER GLASS CLASSES AT FLOWERFIELD ARTS CENTRE

Lampworking: making glass beads for jewellery
Two-day workshops: Tuesday & Wednesday August 7 and 8, and again on Tuesday & Wednesday August 28 and 29, 10am-4pm each day. Tutor: Catherine Keenan. Fee: £85 (includes materials costs). A choice of two two-day courses running from 10am-4pm each day, with a one hour lunch break at 12.30pm. There are FIVE places available for each course.

Day 1: Learning the basics: Turning the torch on, familiarisation with tools and work space; Health and safety; Making a round bead; Ways of pattern application and experimenting with form
Day 2: Refining technique: Practising the techniques learnt on day one; Working towards a completed jewellery piece, ie. necklace, earrings, bracelet.

Information provided to participants will include: List of tools and equipment required; List of suppliers for materials; List of useful websites.
Students should bring lunch, something to tie your hair back with if your hair is long - and a bottle of water.

T: (028) 7083 1400

Pate de Verre Workshop
Saturday August 25, 11am to 4pm
Tutor: Alison Lowry. Fee: £45 (includes materials costs). Maximum 10 students.
‘Pate de verre’ is French for glass paste. In this exciting workshop, crushed glass is combined with glue and pressed into moulds to form thin walled glass vessels.

In this fun, hands-on class, participants will produce their own unique 3D vessel or form from scratch. The design, mould making and glass packing will all be covered on the day with demonstrations and individual instruction. No previous experience is necessary, just a willing and enthusiastic attitude! Tutor Alison Lowry attracted a lot of attention with her pate de verre workshop last craft year, which focused on flat pate de verre forms. This new workshop will allow students to create bowls and 3D shapes. Alison will supply all the equipment and materials. Alison Lowry has been working with glass for a number of years and recently won the Warm glass/Bullseye prize, 2011. She is currently glass artist in residence at the University of Ulster. See some examples of pate de verre on her website at: www.alisonlowry.co.uk.

T: (028) 7083 1400

STAINED GLASS TECHNIQUES WORKSHOP, WESTPORT

Three day course (13th – 15th July 2012) in Stained Glass Techniques at the Glasshouse, Westport, Co. Mayo. Each day classes will be from 10am – 5pm. Classes sizes with be small (less than 6 people) so are suitable for beginners. Glass skills taught will include cutting, soldering, leading and copper-foiling. Participants will make a number of panels over the 3 days. Booking is essential for these classes, which will be good fun and offer a great feeling of time out from the real world. Classes cost €295 including all materials and endless cups of coffee! 

W: www.blueglasshouse.com

GLASS COURSE, UNIVERSITY OF ULSTER

A three day course in glass entitled 'The Embedded Image' will take place at the University of Ulster from 27th to 29th August 2012, 10am – 4pm each day. Half day the following week for coldworking / divestment will also be included. To partake in this class enrolment needs to be completed by 1st August (8 people max.)
Tutor is to be confirmed. The course will cost £200, concession £175.

W: http://craftni.org/events/cat/workshops/

THE CORNING MUSEUM OF GLASS SEEKS CURATOR OF EUROPEAN GLASS

The Corning Museum of Glass, located in the Southern Tier of New York State, is a 225,000 square foot complex dedicated to the art, science, crafting and scholarship of glass. It is the repository for the world’s largest collection of glass, 45,000 objects representing an encyclopedic 3,500-year history of the art and science of glass. The 167,000 square foot museum is one of the three buildings in the Corning Museum complex, which also includes the Rakow Research Library and The Studio.

The Curator of European Glass reports to the Director and is a member of the Director’s senior staff. S/he works closely with the curatorial, collections, conservation and education department staffs including the Curators of American Glass, Modern Glass and Glass Science; the Chief Conservator; the Collections and Exhibition Manager; and the Director of Education and The Studio.

The Curator of European Glass is responsible for the acquisition, exhibition, cataloguing and research of the Museum’s European glass collection. The Curator of European Glass’s primary responsibilities are to provide leadership and vision for the Department’s continued curatorial excellence; oversee acquisitions in their area, represent the Museum at national and international professional meetings and take an active role in grant development.

Ongoing responsibilities will include:
Overseeing the exhibition areas in the galleries pertaining to European glass, including displays and copy for labels
Developing and implementing special exhibitions of European glass
Recommending acquisitions of glass and glass-related material such as books, periodicals and photographs of European glass
Consulting with private collectors for loans or gifts to the Museum Cataloging the collection of European glass Assisting in periodic surveys or inventories of the collection
Lecturing at the annual Seminar as it relates to European glass and to other museum groups, as appropriate
Responding to all inquiries about European glass
Pursuing original research in the field, writing catalogs, articles and other materials for the Museum and other publications
Making recommendations regarding loans to and from the Corning Museum of Glass and working with the Registrarial and Conservation Departments to ensure the appropriateness, safety and condition of all loans.

W: http://www.cmog.org/employment-opportunity/curator-european-glass

CRAFTS COUNCIL OF IRELAND SEEKS PROJECT MANAGER

The Crafts Council of Ireland wish to develop a Craft Enterprise web presence on the existing Learn Craft Design website (www.learncraftdesign.com). The CCoI wishes to appoint a dynamic project manager to research, generate and identify suitable content and to collate data so that it is fit for purpose. This position is offered on a short-term basis (15 days approx.) This will involve liaising with CCoI staff, clients and key organisations in the Enterprise sector. For more details on the position and for a full list of responsibilities and requirements, please contact Audrey Kelly, Client Services Administrator on innovation@ccoi.ie. Deadline: 6th July at 5pm.

W: www.ccoi.ie

CRAFT COUNCIL OF IRELAND SEEKS MENTORS

The Crafts Council of Ireland is looking for innovative, creative and design savvy mentors to join our mentoring panel and address specific design needs of craft workers in Ireland. CCoI is looking for organisations and individuals who have the relevant expertise to act as mentors for craftspeople in the areas of:

* Product Design

* Innovation Capabilities

* Graphic Design and Branding
* Integration of New Technologies that assist with design, prototyping, manufacturing and production.

Individuals should possess a minimum of Masters level qualification and/or 3 years business experience in the creative industries or design sector. Knowledge and understanding of creative industries, specifically craft would be desirable. Please complete an application form which can be downloaded from www.ccoi.ie and forward to innovation@ccoi.ie. Deadline: 16th July 2012.

W: www.ccoi.ie

LAMPWORKING VACANCY, UK

Crieff based Caithness Glass are currently looking for an experienced lampworker to help within their busy studio. Ideally the candidate should have experience in making small inclusions that would then be picked up inside molten glass and formed into solid paperweights.  Types of inclusions would consist of flowers, animals and other abstract designs. Skills in bead making and other jewellery components would also be beneficial. The candidate should have experience in design and be able to work to a brief but also use their own knowledge and skills to create designs and one off pieces that would be included in the Caithness range.

Ideally the candidate would be based at the Crieff studios, but we would also consider the possibilities of working with someone based further away who was able to provide us with what we need through regular mailings or drop offs to the factory in person every other day or week. Salary to be negotiated once skill level reviewed and hours of work agreed. Please contact Hilary Prouse for an application form.

T: 01805 626211     
E: hprouse@dartington.co.uk

GLASSBLOWING BY SCOTT BENEFIELD, CATHERINE KEENAN AND ANDREA SPENCER

‘Baby Light My Fire’ – Glassblowing From Three Of The Best. Scott Benefield, Catherine Keenan and Andrea Spencer will work, talk and explain the magic of manipulating liquid glass in a flame. This 2000-year-old hot craft is brought bang up to date through the creative skill of these artists. Come and see the action, meet the artists and enjoy the experience. This event has been supported with funding by Coleraine Borough Arts Committee. The evebt takes place on 3rd June 2012 from 14:00-17:00 at Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart, GB.

T: 028 7083 140
E: info@flowerfield.org
W: www.flowerfield.org

WALKING TOUR OF CORK STAINED GLASS WITH GLUCKSMAN GALLERY

This guided walking tour invites you to experience some of the most magnificent stained glass windows in Cork. From the majestic beauty of Josef Albers’s 1918 Rosa Mystica, specially reconstructed for The Sacred Modernist exhibition, to Harry Clarke’s richly illustrated designs at the Honan Chapel, to the nearby Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, designed by architect William Burgess and consecrated in 1870, this tour will look at how artists have used stained glass to inspire and illuminate their surroundings.

This tour will start at the Lewis Glucksman Gallery at 1pm, Friday 1st June 2012 and continue to the Honan Chapel and Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral. Please ensure you arrive on time and book your place in advance. The tour ends at 3pm and costs €10 per person.

T: 021 4901844
W: www.glucksman.org
 

EMER LYNCH AND MAGGIE CASHMAN, LINK CULTUREFEST, SMITHFIELD

You are cordially invited to the launch of the inaugural LINK Culturefest; a weekend festival that aims to showcase and celebrate the culture, art and people that make up the diverse community that exists in Smithfield and its surrounding areas.

Between the 25th and the 27th May 2012 LINK Culturefest will host a series of events for the public, participating artists, and curators. The three day programme will feature an International Artists’ Exchange with organisations from Marseille and Lisbon, as well as showcasing a series of art exhibitions, live concerts, open studios, artists’ talks, live street art, outdoor screenings and performances.

Block T presents LINK Culturefest with a number of partners that have been integral in the establishment of a thriving cultural and creative community in the area. Block T most sincerely requests you to join in celebrating this festival. The launch will take place between 6pm and 9pm on Friday 25th May 2012 in Block B, Smithfield Square.

E: lynch.emer@hotmail.com
W: www.linkculturefest.ie
W: www.blockt.ie
W: www.facebook.com/Emer.Lynch.Glass

ROISIN DE BUITLEAR, BETWEEN ART AND INDUSTRY, NATIONAL CRAFT GALLERY

Between Art and Industry offers an opportunity to explore the shifting relationships between craft and industry through the use of evocative imagery utilising text, film and sound. With the advent of globalisation, methods of manufacturing have shifted dramatically. Outsourcing of labour to other countries has resulted in decline of industrial manufacturing in Ireland and the UK. This exhibition (curated by Ann Mulrooney) reflects on those trends, on their consequences and costs, and on the potential for sustainable, highly skilled small-scale production to offer a new model.

Róisín de Buitléar has a long association with Waterford Crystal, since her student days at NCAD. As a glass artist, she organised many collaborations with the factory, forming personal relationships with some of the 4000 workers, blowers, cutters, engravers and sculptors employed there.  In 2009, with the help of the Crafts Council of Ireland Irish Craft Bursary, de Buitléar began investigating the history of Irish glass, and recorded oral histories of the factory workers. During this period, Waterford Crystal went into receivership and the contents of the KIlbarry plant were sold, a process Buitléar documented photographically during the open viewing.

In a collaborative process that is also an important part of the work, all of the pieces for this exhibition have been made by hand in Waterford at Irish Handmade Glass, a small workshop established after the closure of the Kilbarry plant by four master glassmakers who originally trained in Waterford Crystal. This work is about the celebration of skill that still exists in the country, and not a lament for its loss.

The exhibition opens on 25th May at 6:30pm and runs until 4th July 2012 at the National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny. Between Art and Industry is a co-production with the Millennium Court Arts Centre in Portadown, where it will show from 4 August - 29 September 2012.

W: http://roisindebuitlear.com/roisin-de-buitlear/between-art-and-industry-exhibition-at-the-national-craft-gallery-of-ireland-kilkenny-may-25th-4th-july-2012/

PAULA STOKES, COLLECT 2012, SAATCHI GALLERY

Paula Stokes will show at the Craft Council of Ireland’s mixed media event at Collect 2012: The International Art Fair For Contemporary Objects. The event runs from 11th May – 14th May 2012 at the Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York’s H.Q., London.

W: www.nationalcraftgallery.ie

ROISIN DE BUITLEAR AND EMMA BOURKE, 21ST CENTURY ICONS, GALWAY CITY MUSEUM
Some of Ireland's most exciting contemporary jewellers re-interpret the iconic forms of Celtic neckpieces, torcs and lunulas for the 21st Century. The function of jewellery has always been to convey status. This was particularly true of the torc, whose ostentatious size and weight could communicate the force and power of the wearer. But in contemporary usage, the torc has become an object of kitsch, often geared towards the tourist. But if we were to design neckpieces now that conveyed something about us - as Irish - to the world, what would they say? And what would they look like? Would they be gold? Recycled? Injection moulded? Would they be images of power and beauty? Shackles? Or blue collars?

21st Century Icons offers a unique opportunity for 21 of Ireland’s most innovative and creative makers to suggest some answers. Curated by Ann Mulrooney. The makers responses have included inspiration from a vast array of influences including the National Museum’s Bronze Age gold collection (Inga Reed); sheep’s wool from Co. Waterford (Eily O’Connell); the spiritual warrior women of Irish legend (Melissa Curry); Celtic lunulas (Christina Brosnan); the Tudor style ruff (Rachel McKnight); the 21st century neckpiece, the ipod headphones (Sam Hamilton); social networking (Laura McNamara) and tangles of Irish branches and tree roots (Emma Bourke).

The exhibition, which is curated by Ann Mulrooney, will continue until 2nd August 2012 at Galway City Museum.

W: http://www.ccoi.ie/gallery/exhibition.php?listing_ID=114

ENGAGING WITH GLASS, TRAVER GALLERY, TACOMA

Traver Gallery in Tacoma is proud to serve as the only United States venue for Engaging with Glass, the first comprehensive survey of Irish glass art in over a decade. The exhibition brings together a broad spectrum of work in glass, ranging from beautifully executed decorative objects to conceptual installation pieces incorporating video elements.

Featuring the work of: Caroline Madden, Mary Mackey, Róisín de Buitléar, Peter Young, Elke Westen, Andrea Spencer, Karl Harron, Edmond Byrne, Vicky Rothschild, Louise Rice, Pia Raeymaekers, Eimear O'Connor, Emer Lynch, Alison Lowry, Peadar Lamb, Eva Kelly, Eamonn Hartley, Alva Gallagher, Deirdre Feeney, Debbie Dawson, Donna Coogan, Scott Benefield.  

Artists resident in Ireland and Irish artists abroad are included in this exhibition of glass work selected by Dr. Audrey Whitty, Curator of Ceramics, Glass and Asian collections at the National Museum of Ireland and Tina Oldnow, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Glass at the Corning Museum of Glass, New York, USA.

In essays included in the full-color catalog produced alongside the exhibition, juror Audrey Whitty notes that the show reflects an international trend to marry concept with an exceptional level of technical skill, while Tina Oldknow highlights two major themes seen in the show: narrative work addressing memory and time and objects exploring various perspectives on abstraction.

Originally presented at Solstice Arts Center in Navan, County Meath, Ireland, Engaging with Glass was produced by Solstice Director Belinda Quirke, along with artists Caroline Madden and Deirdre Rogers. Irish-born, Seattle artist Paula Stokes, whose work is included in the show, was instrumental in initiating this production at the Traver’s Tacoma location. The exhibition closes on 27th May 2012.

W: http://www.travergallery.com/gallery_artist_details.aspx?aid=175

THE SACRED MODERNIST: JOSEF ALBERS AS A CATHOLIC ARTIST, GLUCKSMAN GALLERY, CORK

Curated by Nicholas Fox Weber, Director of the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation, this exhibition presents the work of the great Bauhaus-trained modernist in a new way. The Sacred Modernist: Josef Albers as a Catholic Artist brings together works from all phases of Albers's life. It presents his earliest sketches of cathedrals in Germany, includes numerous glass pieces from his time at the Bauhaus and North Carolina's Black Mountain College, and culminates in his final 1976 Homage to the Square.

In prominent position in the exhibition is the reconstructed stained glass window Rosa Mystica which was designed by Josef Albers for St. Michael's Church in Bottrop, Germany and which was destroyed during WWII. Through the determined fieldwork and archival resources of The Josef and Anni Albers Foundation, the Lewis Glucksman Gallery is honoured to present a full scale reconstruction of Albers's design for the Rosa Mystica. The window was fabricated by Peter’s Glas Studio in Paderborn, Germany. This is the first time the re-commissioned window will be seen in public. The exhibition runs until 8th July 2012.

W: www.glucksman.org

CEAD SUMMER PROGRAMME AT NCAD

Continuing Education in Art and Design announces its schedule of Summer Courses for 2012 at the National College of Art and Design (25th June – 20th July 2012). The National College of Art and Design provides an extensive range of part-time courses including non-credit and award bearing courses offering progression. Short (3 and 5 day) summer courses being offered for 2012 include: Painting Practice, Drawing / Painting / Looking, Colour Theory Workshop, Drawing and Research in Notebooks, Introduction to Watercolour, Etching and Dry Point Technique, Photography, Printed Textiles, Artist Books, Jewellery and Stone Setting, Jewellery Casting and Ceramics. This year we are also offering several Masterclasses including Kiln Formed Glass with Karl Harron and Letterpress Printing with Mary Plunkett. For further information and a complete listing please visit the CEAD link on NCAD's website. Deadline : 22nd June 2012.

E: Seliena Coyle cead@ncad.ie
T: 01 636 4214
W: www.ncad.ie

CLASSES AT LEITRIM SCUPTURE CENTRE

GLASSBLOWING FOR BEGINNERS WORKSHOP

Dates: Fri 1st & Sat 2nd June, Sun 3rd & Mon 4th June
Trainer: Louise Rice & Graham Reid
Course Fees: €240 (two days) - 10am to 5pm
Participants: 4
Experience: No experience required

In this two-day workshop you will explore the extraordinary medium of hot glass. You will learn how to gather glass out of the furnace, to control and shape the hot glass, to blow a bubble and make a simple vessel. Working in two small teams, the emphasis of this course is hands-on experience, with demos and support from an experienced glassblower.

Louise Rice is based at the Sculpture Centre  in Manorhamilton and  studied glass at Edinburgh College of Art and the Rietveld Acadamie in Amsterdam. Rice has work in Ulster Museum, and  National Glass Museum, Netherlands.

Graham Reid received a Bachelors degree in Sculptural Glass from Massachusetts College Of Art. He built Knockbeg Studios where he taught glassblowing, and now works as sculptor in glass, wood and metal from his Studio in Sligo.

SAND CASTING WITH HOT GLASS WORKSHOP

Dates: Tuesday 5th June
Trainer: Keith Seybert
Course Fees: €140 (one day) - 10am to 5pm
Participants: 6
Experience: No experience required

This two-day course will introduce you to the potential of molten glass as a creative material through the process of “Hot” casting into sand moulds. You will have the opportunity to ladle glass straight from the furnace and pour into prepared “open faced” sand moulds made with found and sculpted objects. This is the most direct method to create your own solid sculptural forms in glass. No previous glass working experience required and all materials are provided. Feel free to bring in your own objects to press in the sand. Appropriate footwear is a must: leather boots preferred, leather shoes acceptable; No open toed shoes or sandals!

Keith Alan Seybert received masters’ degrees in Sculpture, and Glass and Ceramics from Washington University, St. Louis in 1987 and 1995. He has led numerous workshops in a variety of glass and sculpture techniques in the US, Europe and beyond. From 1999 to 2001 he was a Senior Researcher at the Royal College of Art, London, where he headed an in-depth examination of investment type refractory moulds for casting glass and bronze; a topic he has lectured on at many international venues including 2002 and 2009 at the annual conference of the Glass Art Society. He currently lives in Ireland and works in his Blarney studio.

REFRACTORY MOULDMAKING FOR KILN CAST GLASS & BRONZE CASTING WORKSHOP

Dates: Sat 2nd to Mon 4th June      
Trainer: Keith Seybert
Course Fees: €210 (three days) - 10am to 5pm
Participants: 8
Experience: Some basic experience required

This in-depth workshop covers the theory and techniques used in casting either bronze or glass. Tips for wax working, (pour cups, sprewing, gating, and venting) investment type refractory mould construction approaches (face-coats {brush on & splash}, Roman or Italian  hand built, cores and poured monolithic)  will be discussed with an aim towards enabling participants to "customize" their approach to fit their vision. A range of primary model materials will be demonstrated, principally wax, working through to the final refractory moulds, thus some previous knowledge of, and experience with: clay, wax, or plaster work is helpful to participants.

All pertinent aspects of refractory moulding will be covered. Participants will need both sketch book and note book; be ready with ideas to pursue, and open to learn. Large amounts of material will be covered in a relatively short time. Participants need to come with a wax positive or rubber mould. This can be made in the ‘Reproduction Moulding for Artists & Architects workshop’. Prerequisite: Wax positive or rubber mould.

Keith Alan Seybert received masters’ degrees in Sculpture, and Glass and Ceramics from Washington University, St. Louis in 1987 and 1995. He has led numerous workshops in a variety of glass and sculpture techniques in the US, Europe and beyond. From 1999 to 2001 he was a Senior Researcher at the Royal College of Art, London, where he headed an in-depth examination of investment type refractory moulds for casting glass and bronze; a topic he has lectured on at many international venues including 2002 and 2009 at the annual conference of the Glass Art Society. He currently lives in Ireland and works in his Blarney studio.

E: info@leitrimsculpturecentre.ie
W: www.leitrimsculpturecentre.ie
T: 071 985 5098

HOT GLASS STUDIO FOR HIRE

For experienced glass artists the Studio will be available to book in the week before LSC workshops. Email us for more details or call Louise for technical details on 087 313 9013. The blowing rate for sole use of the studio is €35 an hour (incl glass). Casting rates upon request.

E: info@leitrimsculpturecentre.ie
W: www.leitrimsculpturecentre.ie
T: 071 985 5098

GLASS WORKSHOPS AT FLOWERFIELD ARTS CENTRE, PORTSTEWART

Flowerfield Arts Centre, based in Coleraine, provides a wide variety of arts and crafts activities as part of Coleraine Borough Council's Arts Service. During May and June, Flowerfield are offering a series of one day workshops on glass making techniques.

•    Lampworking: Making Glass Beads (Tutor: Catherine Keenan) – May 26th, 10am-4pm. Suitable for beginners
•    Fusing with Float Glass (Natasha Duddy) – May 12th, 10am-4pm
•    Intermediate glass fusing (Natasha Duddy) – June 9, 10am-4pm

W: http://craftni.org/events/glass-workshops-at-flowerfield/

PEADAR LAMB STAINED GLASS WORKSHOP, NATIONAL SCULPTURE FACTORY, CORK

‘Exploration Of Stained Glass Painting Techniques’ Masterclass will be hosted by Peadar Lamb at the National Sculpture Factory in Cork on 12th. and 13th. June 2012. Places on this course are limited to 8 participants and the fee is €80.00 for N.S.F. members and €100.00 for non-N.S.F. members. This masterclass will focus on experimental mark-making and the consideration of light in this process. Course participants will be able to experiment with brush, line and tone. They will learn about firing schedules, specific painting techniques such as Sgraffito, and manipulating the paint through daylight and lightboxes.

T: 00 353 21 431 4353
E: elma@nationalsculpturefactory.com
W: www.nationalsculpturefactory.com

STANISLAV LIBENSKY STUDENT AWARD

The competition is designed for art universities students allowing them to present their graduate works created by any glasswork technique. A part of the competition is the creation of printed catalogue of competition artworks and an exhibition in St. Geroge’s Convent at Prague Castle from September 20th to November 30th, 2012. Awards will be handed over at the Gala Evening and the exhibition vernissage at the Prague Castle.

W: http://www.prazskagalerie.cz/en/stanislav-libensky-award/the-application-form

RHA INVITES APPLICANTS FOR ELIZABETH FITZPATRICK TRAVEL BURSARY

The RHA is delighted to present an open call for submissions to the Elizabeth Fitzpatrick Travel Bursary 2012. The Bursary of €2,500 is awarded to enable Irish artists to further their studies abroad. Previous winners include Leda Scully, Amy O’Riordan, Hugh McCarthy, Simon McWilliams, Tony O’Malley, Eamonn O’Kane and Catherine Harper. This Scholarship is awarded in memory of Elizabeth Fitzpatrick, a lifelong friend and supporter of the visual arts in Ireland. The Purser family, into which Elizabeth was born in 1904, was one of a Dublin circle with many artistic affiliations. Between 1930 and 1980 she moved in this circle which included Sarah Purser - her great aunt, Jack Yeats, 'A.E.', Mainie Jellett and Mary Swanzy.

Conditions: 1. Candidates must be Irish citizens or born on the Island of Ireland. 2. Candidates must be 35 years of age or under on January 1st, 2012. 3. Candidates must submit the application form detailing how they propose to use the Bursary for studies abroad. 4. Candidates must submit 8 - 10 images of their work in a printed format only, clearly marked with their name, the title of the piece, the medium and the dimensions. 5. The deadline for receipt of completed application forms is Friday 1st of June 2012. 6. The recipient will be required to give a report on how they used the award upon their return. 7. The winner of the bursary is entitled to exhibit one piece of work in the RHA Annual Exhibition in 2013. For further details, contact the Academy Co-ordinator, Fernando Sanchez.

T: 01 661 2558 

E: fernando@rhagallery.ie
W: www.royalhibernianacademy.ie

PREMIO MURANO 2012 CONTEST, ABATE ZANETTI GLASS SCHOOL, MURANO

The Abate Zanetti Glass School in Murano is promoting the new Premio Murano 2012 prize. Artists and designers are invited to submit their glass projects without any limitation, except for the final dimensions of the object.

Thirty sketches will be selected by a jury panel. Specialized Murano glass masters (blowing, lampworking, fusing and coldworking) will freely choose among the projects for the ones that will appeal to their skills and artistic ability, effectively selecting for a second time. Projects and glass works will be showcased at the Scuola Grande della Misericordia in Venice at the same time the Biennale Architettura 2012 is taking place.

Sign up documents and further information are available for download on www.abatezanetti.it. The deadline for the submission of the projects is May 31, 2012.

E: info@abatezanetti.it
W: http://abatezanetti.it

GLASS HEAP CHALLENGE - CALL FOR ENTRIES
Glass Heap Challenge are looking for teams of glass protagonists, artists, designers, architects and technologists to take part in an event at the International Festival of Glass, Stourbridge (20th – 24th August 2012). As we all know there is a lot of waste glass out there and not much happening with it, this is a global problem and global solutions are needed. There are new laws afoot which will make it harder to deal with this waste and a higher price is going to be charged for its disposal. This all leads to an urgent need to find solutions and a way to work with this waste glass and its unique qualities, to find a way to show its potential and new paths that will lead us to a more sustainable future. The challenge is to up-cycle waste glass into a product, artwork or installation. It can be functional or non functional. There are only a limited number of days to work in and you have to exhibit what you have made at the end of the challenge. All work produced must be approached using the minimal available technology.

Three to a team and only one has to have a glass background. We have a great space to work in, we have accommodation during the challenge and you get to exhibit your new work and potentially work with waste glass companies to develop your designs into a product.
There will be an opening and prizes given and lots more.

If you are interested, please register your interest to info@glassheapchallenge.com after the 1st May 2012 you will receive an application form with terms and conditions and the schedule for the event. The deadline is 31st May 2012.

E: info@glassheapchallenge.com
W: www.glassheapchallenge.com
T: 00 44 (0)7939242312

RTE CRAFT MASTER – CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

RTÉ's hugely successful television series Craft Master is back! Produced by Big Mountain Productions in collaboration with the Crafts Council of Ireland and presented by Sonya Lennon, Craft Master is looking for the best amateur Irish crafters. Do you have foundation skills in Basketry, Millinery, Knitting, Furniture or Jewellery and want to bring it to the next level? Aspiring apprentices will get the chance of a lifetime, with a week-long residential masterclass with a top maker in their discipline. An amateur maker will be crowned the nation's Craft Master, and win a coveted stand at Showcase - Ireland’s Creative Expo, run by the Crafts Council of Ireland. The deadline for applications is Wednesday 6th June 2012.

W: www.rte.ie/tv/audienceparticipation
T:  (048) 3083 4048
E: craftmaster@bigmountainproductions.com

CONTEMPORARY GLASS SOCIETY – CALL FOR MEDALLIONS EXHIBITION

The Contemporary Glass Society (C.G.S.) invites its members to put their creative imaginations to work around the idea of the traditional Olympic medal for an exciting exhibition at the Ruskin Glass Centre. Medals have been awarded for the Summer Olympics since 1896, and have become a recognised symbol of achievement. This show gives CGS members a chance to celebrate and play with this traditional form. A key event in Glass Games – the C.G.S.’ nationwide festival of glass – the Medallions exhibition is officially part of the Cultural Olympiad, not to mention the International Festival of Glass. So get involved and get making! Every medal received by the deadline will be exhibited at the Ruskin Centre from August 22nd. to September 15th.. The medals will be on sale to the public for £50, £100 or £150. Commission from sales will provide essential funds for the C.G.S.’ professional development programme. Medals can be up to 15cm wide x 15cm high x 5cm thickness and must be made predominantly out of glass. You can find detailed specifications on the Expression of Interest form, downloadable from the C.G.S. website at www.cgs.org.uk. To take part, fill in the form and email it to: glassgames2012@gmail.com by May 8th., 2012. It is free to submit work. Expressions of interest should be received by May 8th., 2012. Finished medals can be accepted until July 20th., 2012. If you’re not already a member of C.G.S., see www.cgs.org.uk for how to join us.

Glass Games 2012 is part of a two-year programme by the C.G.S. to put contemporary glass on the map. From June 1st. to September 30th., there will be a nationwide celebration of the magic of glass, with exhibitions, workshops, demonstrations, open studios and much more. For information see our searchable events guide at Website: www.cgs.org.uk . The Contemporary Glass Society (C.G.S.) is widely regarded as the UK’s foremost organisation for promoting and encouraging contemporary glass and for supporting glassmakers.

E: glassgames2012@gmail.com
T: 01625 425 049.
W: www.cgs.org.uk/news/call-artists-medallions-exhibition

PRATT SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS NOW ONLINE

Submissions for the Pratt Scholarships are due July 1, 2012. Pratt's 2012-2013 scholarship applications are available online.  Visit the website to view the application guidelines, application form and image preparation guidelines.

W: http://www.pratt.org/classes/financialaid.html?utm_source=Newsletter+5.01.12&utm_campaign=Newsletter+5.01.12&utm_medium=email

GLASSMAKER’S ASSISTANT POSITION AT LONDON GLASSWORKS

Stewart Hearn is a highly respected glassmaker and designer. He has established a professional practice of nearly thirty years, working with some of Britain’s best master glassmakers. In 2002, he co-founded and is now sole owner of London Glassworks. Unfortunately our current assistant could not move with us to Cambridgeshire and is leaving the valuable position of Glassmaker’s Assistant available.

The role is for a full time Glassmakers Assistant who can professionally and efficiently assist Stewart in creating bespoke pieces of hand blown glass in both the hot and cold workshops. You will be expected to be keen and willing to learn, enthusiastic about the entire process of hand blown glass with a strong attention to detail and an interest in your own professional development. This is an interesting yet very demanding job, which provides an excellent opportunity to develop your own technical skills. You will be working in a brand new glassblowing studio which has been built for purpose to house this successful and vibrant glassblowing business. Applicants must have some educational or industrial glass experience and it is hoped that the successful candidate will stay on for a number of years.

E: hannah@londonglassworks.com
W: www.londonglassworks.com

ARTIST SEEKS ASSISTANCE IN SOURCING GLASS

Belfast based artist is looking to photograph refraction patterns in glass for personal artwork. His aim is to source any kinds of glass that either distort or are refractive - eg: small sheets, objects of glass, sheets with multiple impact cracks, rejected/imperfect/damaged pieces or waste glass, curved, rippled patterns, prism/round shapes.

If sourced in the Belfast area supplies of glass can be returned.

E: m@michaeltaylorphoto.com
W: http://www.michaeltaylorphoto.com
T: 0044(0)28 9065 4450