Glass in the Gardens @Sculpture in Context 2014

Benjamin Just, 'Bonsai Model', Glass Wood Pvc, 20x40x10

Hard as it is to believe that a whole year has gone by since I told you about ‘GLASS GALORE @Sculpture in Context2013' - I’m delighted to say that we have done it again and glass art is once more making a big impression at Ireland’s largest and most prestigious annual outdoor sculpture event Sculpture in Context.

Madeleine Hellier, 'Jinny Joe, Jinny Joe Bring me back an Egg', Engraved Watch Faces

Gracing the gardens and glasshouses Dublin’s Botanical Gardens every September/October since 2002 this exhibition features over 150 pieces from both Irish and International artists.There is always fantastic variety with works in all mediums from both established and emerging artists. 

We have counted an amazing fifteen lovely pieces made with glass this year.

 Here's the list of their creators:  

Gwyn Grace, 'Bog Sundew Tentacles', Glass

Benjamin Just

Eva Kelly

Gwyn Grace

Lisa Sarsfield

Madeleine Hellier

Mags O'Dea

Margaret Tuffy 

Merce Canadell

Rose Sinclair-Doyle

Sadhbh Mowlds

Michelle Maher

Susan Cuffe

Rose Sinclair-Doyle, 'Past Whisper', Glass, 35x25x8

Margaret Tuffy, 'Small Breaths', Blown Glass

Continuing the theme of glassy excellence, I'm delighted to report that one of the three cash prizes for an Outdoor Work of Distinction in Any Medium’ was awarded to Merce Canadell, a final year student in the National College of Art and Design glass department, for her piece Embracing Water. Her cast glass piece is partly submerged in the water feature in one of the greenhouses where the running water makes the sculpture glisten and seem to come alive. (Though you should obviously try to see it in person – there is a great shot of it at the end of this short youtube video).

Merce Canadell, 'Embracing Water', Cast Glass, 150x40x35

Some returning stars from last year’s exhibition are recent NCAD graduates Gwyn Grace, Mag’s O’Dea (who was awarded a prize last year) and Sadhbh Mowlds (The GSoI Prize winner at the RDS awards this year). The NCAD students are ones to be watched in this exhibition for sure!

Sadhbh Mowlds, 'The Good People', Blown Enamelled Glass Wood

Mags O'Dea, 'Nurturing The Seed Within', Blown Glass, 10x10x26 

Another familiar face from last years show is Eva Kelly - whose mixed media piece 'Buried Treasure' features some very sweet cast glass dog bones. Well done also to Benjamin Just, who has not one but two glass pieces chosen for this years exhibition.

Benjamin Just, 'Tree Rings', Glass, 40x10x10

Eva Kelly, 'Buried Treasure', Cast Glass and Mixed Media, 25x19x10

Sculpture in Context 2014 at The National Botanical Gardens will run till 17 October 2014. Admission is free and it's a great visit for all the family to enjoy. Opening times are 9-5 weekdays and 10-6 weekends and bank holidays. Free tours of the exhibition every Tuesday 10.30am - 11.30am and every Saturday 3pm - 4pm. Full programme of all  the artists and works is available at reception. More details and contact info see their website. 

Lisa Sarsfield, 'Accumulate I', Acetate Silk Glass, 10x30x25

Written by Meadhbh McIlgorm

Photos by Eva Reddy 

GSoI Dublin Events 17th of June _ #chihulysses

To celebrate the arrival of Dale Chihuly in Dublin, the GSoI is hosting a number of events in the city on June 17^th to coincide with his lecture and exhibition of the ‘Ulysses Cylinders’ at Dublin Castle. 

We hope that our satellite events will encourage even more of you to come and make a day of this event. Follow #chihulysses on facebook and twitter to keep up with events as they happen. 

After the lecture at Dublin Castle we will also be hosting an informal get-together with drinks, food and a small glass display for anyone interested at Bagots Hutton Bar (28 South William Street, 15min walk away from Dublin Castle) which will be a lovely chance to catch up with old friends and maybe make some new ones. 

 Here’s what will be happening on the day:

Historical Glass at the National Museum of Decorative Arts

Debbie Dawson will lead a group around the Visible Storage section of Collins’ Barracks. Debbie will look at the historical collection which consists of Irish, American and European glass dating from the 18th to the 20th Century. Traditional collecting centered on the industrial manufacture of Belfast, Cork, Dublin and Waterford in the late 18th to mid 19th Century. Debbie will also discuss the important collection of high quality Irish/Irish-related contemporary works that were purchased in association with the Crafts Council of Ireland.

The stained glass windows of St. Teresa’s Church

Peadar Lamb will give a talk on the series of stained glass windows in St. Teresa’s Church on Clarendon Street, Dublin. The stained glass windows date back to the 1960’s; some of which were executed by the Abbey Stained Glass Studio. In 1989 a series of windows for the nave were commissioned and executed by Irish artist Phyllis Burke. The windows depict scenes ranging from of the Resurrection to portrayals of various saints.

The Blaschka Collection at the Museum of Natural History

Emma Bourke will lead a tour of the Blaschka glass models of sea creatures in the Museum of Natural History. This unique collection of Blaschka glass is one of the largest in the world and is still displayed in its original 19th century cabinets Researcher of Blaschka glass and trained as a scientific lampworker, Emma has an intuitive understanding of this work. At 3pm she will lead a group up to the restricted third floor balcony, where she will explain the importance of these pieces to our national collection, the creation of the work and the restoration of the exhibits. Spaces are limited on this tour so registration is essential to be guaranteed a space, contact emma.glasssocietyofireland@gmail.com to reserve a space. 

GLASS GALORE! @Sculpture in Context,2013

Sculpture in Context - a must see event on the Dublin art calendar.

Set up in 1985 by sculptors who wanted to create exhibition space outside the normal white-cube gallery, Sculpture in Context now sees the grounds, ponds and glasshouses of the Botanic Gardens transformed each September into the biggest and most prestigious outdoor exhibition in Ireland.

      Sticky Bog Sundew - Gwyn Grace                        Vessels (of Remembrance) -  Alison Lowry 

This year over 150 artists from Ireland and abroad are exhibiting their work. 

Application is open to everyone and the successful applicants are selected by a panel of judges which changes annually. Thanks to this very democratic selection process there is always a great variety of entrants ranging from students to established artists and together working in almost every medium imaginable. 

The packed opening night reception

We know that we’re ever so slightly biased here at GSoI but as in this case the figures speak for themselves - Irish glass artists really held their own in the Gardens this year. 

There were 12 notable glass pieces amongst the collection from artists;

Karen Donnellan

 Naomi Draper

 Gwyn Grace 

Jesse Gunther,

Eve Kelly

Paivikki Kolehmainen (Finland) 

Alison Lowry

 Charlene McFarland

 Meadhbh McIlgorm 

Kira Myer

Sadhbh Mowlds 

Mags O’Dea.  

Further more, 2 out of the 3 Sculpture in Context Awards for large outdoor works of distinction in any medium were awarded to NCAD glass students: Jesse Gunther for his piece 'Desert Ophidians' (on view in the cactus house) and Mags O'Dea for her installation 'Tree Dressings' (a site-specific glass installation on a particularly weathered tree). Both Mags and Jesse received €500 each - well done guys! 

'Tree Dressings' - Mags O'Dea

The delighted Mags O'Dea with her prize

Both pieces were a big hit with the guests on opening night - watch this space - one of them could well be winning the prize for the most popular sculpture at the end of the exhibition in October.  

'Desert Ophidians' - Jesse Gunther 

The exhibition runs from September 5th - October 18th. Full programme of artists available in the visitor centre. 

Garden opening hours: 
Monday - Friday 9am to 5pm
Saturday & Sunday 10am - 6pm

Admission Free, Car Park €2

Karren Donnellan - Present Moment Reminder

 A visit to this exhibition is a lovely day out for all the family and a chance to see some very talented artists work outside the often intimidating setting of a gallery exhibit. 

So be sure to take a very cultured and colourful stroll through the Botanic Gardens before October 18th. 
We promise you won't be disappointed. 

Artists Michelle McDermott, Gwyn Grace, Mags O'Dea and Tara Butler-Frey
the enjoying opening night celebrations

Written by: Meadhbh McIlgorm 

NCAD end of year show: Student Profiles

As promised talented graduate number two – Meadhbh McIlgorm

Meadhbh has recently been awarded the CCOI Future Makers Student Award and one of her pieces was selected for the RDS Craft Exhibition. Watch this space!

Meadhbh’s work is an installation made up of numerous ‘intangible’ objects. The delicate pieces are suspended within the space creating a refraction of light and casting thin shadows. These light and dark elements are as much a part of the work as the glass itself – they are the finishing touches.

In her own words Meadhbh is ‘attempting to capture both the tangible and intangible essence of cloud formations’. The beginning of this exploration was research into the manipulation of light. The changeable nature of light and the challenges involved in capturing some of its magic has been approached here with skill and consideration. The result is a piece of work which captures the fragility of glass. The wispy shapes look as if they would crumble if touched (although Meadhbh told me they were tougher than they looked!).

I asked a little about the process of making this work and Meadhbh explained how the forms are heated in a kiln, letting gravity act of the glass allowing an element of random formation. This seems an apt approach to the chaotic but beautiful objects which this process creates.

The pieces will be displayed in Sculpture in Context in September so if you missed this show stopper at the degree show you have been granted a second chance!

Written by Fiona Byrne

Glass Society of Ireland - Mission Statement

The Glass Society of Ireland is made up of people whose interests or professions significantly relate to the specific material of glass.  Drawing from diverse creative and enterprising fields including art, design, craft, research, collecting and the historical context, we are a volunteer-run organisation whose interest in glass provides us with a mutual cause for conversation.

 It is the primary objective of the Glass Society of Ireland to continue to support established practitioners in Glass whilst fostering new talent. We also aim to create opportunities to communicate with each other and to engage with new audiences. This is achieved through a number of platforms: exhibition-making, holding events such as conferences, workshops and public talks, networking through social media and information distribution through our website, blog and monthly e-bulletin. Through these activities, professional connections are established both nationally and internationally.

Boyd Sugiki & Lisa Zerkowitz: Lectures on personal practice

Apologies for the slow down on blog post in the last few weeks, I have been away in Scotland but am returning soon and will get lots of news and articles up ASAP! In the mean time you may like to get your glass fix at this talk at the National College of Art and Design:

Jeremy Lepisto at the National College of Art and Design

The Glass Society of Ireland was delighted to attend Jeremy Lepisto’s talk at the National College of Art and Design on Tuesday. He is very open about his work both conceptually and technically which made for a fascinating talk.

Lepisto grew up in the glass capital of America, Toledo, Ohio. This industrial setting has made a huge impact on his aesthetic. Looking at his body of work you can see hard architectural lines as well as iconic structure such as his water towers. These visual influences are only one part of the narrative which resonates from his childhood into his present day life.

The work ethic in the family was strong and Lepisto himself worked from an early age. He spoke fondly of his family and specially his Grandfather ‘Pops’. Lepisto tells of how his Grandfather took great pride in his work and believed “a firm foundation is the key to a successful structure”. This sentiment has left its mark and this can be seen not only in the care and quality of the art works Lepisto produces, but also in the images he showed of his immaculate workspaces.

Lepisto describes his work as self portraits, each one reflecting his current situation and how it relates to his present environment. In doing this he creates a body of work which encompasses both the banality and the complexity of life simultaneously.

This work, inspired by a sense of place and strong relationship with the visual experiences available in the United States, came up against a challenge when Lepisto and his wife made the decision to move to Australia. Away from his support network and the landscapes which appear as such an integral part of his early work Lepisto had to tackle his art from new angles.

The most recent series, the container series, looks at transition and how life in one location can be packaged and moved another location. The lack of imagery in this series stems from a concern about appropriation of Australian vernacular architecture. This landscape, not yet ingrained in Lepisto sense of self, perhaps in time will begin to creep into new work. The auto biographical element in the work is strong and Lepisto is very open about the events which inspired the works.

 In an earlier series building blocks the pieces can be moved to form double meanings. In one position the images build from the edges into a cityscape, arranged in their second configuration to buildings start at the edges of the work and fade into a blank space in the centre. Lepisto explained how this series was made in a period where he and his wife where living in different locations. He drew our attention to the position of two small post boxes in the imagery and the piece changed from a clever puzzle to an eloquent expression of the pain of being apart and the joys of being reunited.

Lepisto’s practice is visually very beautiful and would be pleasing as studies of environment alone. However, it is the ability to produce subtle meanings in the works which push them to a new level of significance.

For More Info on Jeremy's work click HERE

by Fiona Byrne

ANDREA SPENCER WINS ART IN ACTION PRIZE AT BRITISH GLASS BIENNALE

Andrea Spencer was one of seventy-one glass artists who were selected to exhibit at the British Glass Biennale in August 2012 where her piece 'Metamorphosis' was awarded the Art in Action prize. 'Metamorphosis' had previously been part of the Engaging with Glass exhibition that showed at the Solstice Art Centre, Co. Meath (2011), and at the William Traver Gallery in Tacoma, USA (2012). Andrea has been selected for the Biennale in 2008 and 2010, and was the only artist from Northern Ireland selected in 2012.

The Art in Action prize consists of a cash award of £1,000 and the opportunity to demonstrate and exhibit at the Art in Action event in July 2013 in Waterperry, England. You can see Andrea Spencer's work along with the other exhibitors at The British Glass Biennale which is currently running in Stourbridge, West Midlands until the 15 September 2012. The exhibition is based in the newly refurbished industrial space of the former Webb Corbett/Royal Doulton Glass factory, which opened this August as an Arts Centre.

W: http://craftni.org/directory/maker/andrea-spencer

GLASS SOCIETY 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

GLASS SOCIETY 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

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

GLASS SOCIETY OF IRELAND EVENING LECTURE: SUZANNAH VAUGHAN

Slide Lecture: Noel Sheridan Room

May 14th at 7:30PM

Suzannah Vaughan, received a BDes (Honours) from the National College of Art & Design in 2003 and a MA in Visual Arts Practice from Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design & Technology 2008. In 2007 her work was selected for Open Ev+a 2007, A Sense of Place, curated by Klaus Ottmann and during which she was awarded the Ev+a '07 Belltable One Person Exhibition Award. Her work has been purchased by art collectors and institutions including the National Museum of Ireland. In 2004 she was awarded the prestigious Golden Fleece Award and was one of three emerging artists awarded the 2009 Glass Art Society Emerging Artist Lecture Award.

GLASS SOCIETY OF IRELAND EVENING LECTURE: CHINKS GRYLLS

(Image via www.denisehayes.wordpress.com)


Slide Lecture: MAY 14th at 7:00PM
Noel Sheridan Room

Glass in the South West &
Artist/Curators and why ‘On The Edge’

Chinks will provide an in-depth review of artists working in glass in South West England and will describe how this research influenced her curatorial choices for the exhibition, On the Edge.
Today the greatest number of glass artists in England is based in the South West where there has been a long tradition, particularly in the Bristol area. By contrast the medium as a taught field is more recent in Ireland; they have a strong rapport with Europe and America but fewer connections with England. It demonstrates how rich and stimulating these regions are, particularly for experimentation.
On the Edge celebrates the work of glass artists working in Ireland and South West England. It includes examples by artists already established and highly regarded internationally, as well as emerging artists whose work reflects a commitment to self-expression and integrity.

Chinks Grylls, holds an MAFA in Art and Architecture from the University of East London. She exhibits nationally and internationally working with glass, light, shadow and mixed media. As a member of the International Women’s Glass Workshop she exhibited in the Cathedral of Christ the King, Liverpool, for the European City of Culture,2008. In 2009 she exhibited in Chartres, France, ’Capter La Lumière’ and, in Cheltenham, Swansea and Torquay with the touring exhibition ‘On The Edge’, Contemporary Glass from Ireland and South West England,’ which she co-curated with glass artist, Mary Mackey and Sophie Wilson, of Cheltenham Museum and Art Gallery.

ON THE EDGE: EXHIBITION AND EVENTS AND THE NCG

On the Edge: Contemporary Glass from Ireland and South West England, which has been travelling around Britain for the past number of months, opens in the National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny on January 16th. The exhibition runs until the 21st of March, and during its run, there are a number of events going on there in association with the Glass Society of Ireland and the Crafts Council of Ireland. All events are free of charge and well worth going to. Click on the invite above to open in a new window and save.

ARTIST PROFILE: SEAN CAMPBELL

Sean Campbell grew up in Belfast, Northern Ireland during the 1970s followed by the personal freedom of living, working and travelling abroad. The direct experience of travel combined with the perspective that comes from returning home has developed an empirical interest in anthropology and abstraction. Sean Campbell trained in visual art in Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand and the United States. He was artist in residence at Northlands Creative Glass in 2009. Recent exhibitions include a solo show “Beginnings Without Boundaries” in the Alley Arts Gallery, Strabane, N.Ireland, “Skulturudstilling” in Denmark, “Vernissage” in Sweden, “Sculpture in Context”, Dublin, Ireland and as Invited Artist with Michael Brolly at The Goggleworks, Reading, USA. Sean holds a M.A. from the University of Ulster and a B.A. Honours from the University of Liverpool. His work is held in public and private collections in New Zealand, USA, Australia, Ireland, Switzerland, Denmark and the U.K. Major public artworks include “Between the known and the Unknown”, N 15 By Pass Joint Public art Commission with Elizabeth Caffrey, “Arc” Integrated Public Art, Bayview Resource Centre, Bangor and “Passage of Time”, Ballymena Museum and Civic Centre.

Sean Campbell gives a lecture in NCAD's Noel Sheridan Room on Thursday 10th December at 7.45pm.

ARTIST PROFILE: MARY B. WHITE

Mary B. White is an American San Francisco Bay Area sculptor/arts educator is a Fulbright Scholar at the National College of Art and Design/ Dublin Sept 09-June 2010, She is facilitating a pilot collaborative seminar for NCAD MA students and Craft Council of Ireland participants on topics of the "Landscape of Aesthetics and Design". The seminar will culminate in an exhibition of participant work at Mason Hayes & Curran in Dublin and a symposium for makers at NCAD in April 2010.

Mary teaches at the Crucible Fire Arts Center Glass Department in Oakland, CA and much of her work links art making with social and environmental issues. She has a MFA in Glass and Painting from California College of the Arts. From 1985-2005 when she retired, Mary was head of the San Jose State University Glass Program and taught in the School of Art and Design and the Creative Arts Department at San Jose State University. She served as a board member and Oakland, CA site coordinator for the Glass Art Society, organized the San Jose California Glass Exchange and currently serves on the board of the Women Environmental Art Directory. She has taught workshops at over fifteen institutions and her work is in many collections, including the Corning Glass Museum. She is currently working on a flood level marker public art project on Boulder Creek in Boulder, Colorado.

On Thursday 10th December at 7pm Mary B. White gives a lecture entitled "Living on Fault Lines and Pacific Currents" in the Noel Sheridan Room in NCAD, Thomas Street, Dublin.

GLASS SOCIETY OF IRELAND LECTURE, 10TH DECEMBER

As mentioned in the last e-bulletin, the Glass Society of Ireland, in association with NCAD Glass Dept, is holding another evening lecture on Thursday 10th December (that's tomorrow) at 7pm in the Noel Sheridan Room in NCAD. The two speakers are Mary B. White and Sean Campbell. Mary is an American artist currently studying in NCAD Glass Dept as a Fulbright scholar, while Sean is an Northern Ireland-born artist based in Leitrim. See their artist profiles for more information on their work.

GLASS SOCIETY OF IRELAND LECTURE, 19TH NOVEMBER

On Thursday 19th November, in association with NCAD Glass department, the Glass Society of Ireland will host an exciting lecture double bill. At 6.30pm visiting artist from Chile/Australia, Itzell Tazziman, will give a talk on her work and an insight into contemporary glassmaking in Australia and the Czech Republic, where she has been working and teaching. Itzell will also share her knowledge of cutting and engraving, and we would ask members to bring any examples of cut or engraved glass from their collections for discussion with the group.

At 7.30pm Irish artist Mary Mackey will give a talk entitled "Making a Mark". This lecture provides insight into the proccesses Mary engages as a painter with the inherent properties of glass; its liquid nature,transparency and opacity; in exploring her concepts of shadow, texture and water, whatever its form, sea, river, moving glacial ice, each making its own mark however impermanent.

This is a wonderful opportunity to see and hear about the work of two top-class glassmakers and to meet with members of the society and students of NCAD. Everyone is welcome, and it would be fantastic to see members old and new at the lecture, which is bound to be interesting and enjoyable for all.

ARTIST PROFILE: MARY MACKEY

Being Where Others Have Already Been, Mary Mackey

Born in Cork in 1960, studied at the Crawford College of Art and Design in Cork. She has participated in international group exhibitions in Japan, America, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, China, France, and Great Britain. A painter, glass is her chosen medium. She is a member of the Women’s International Glass Workshop, a group of leading international glass artists. Her work is included in their exhibition Gathering Light, which began its tour as part of Liverpool’s Capital of Culture and then traveled to the Center International du Vitrail in France, and the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea. She has also exhibited widely in Ireland including the Crawford Municipal Gallery, the Catherine Hammond Gallery, Crafts Council of Ireland Gallery, West Cork Arts Centre, National Museum Collins Barracks, and the Galway Arts Centre. She has been the recipient of awards from the Cultural Relations Committee of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Arts Council, the London Arts Board, and in 2009 was given the Golden Fleece Merit Award. Her public commissions include windows for the Mallow Swimming pool, Mater Private Hospital, Ursuline Convent Secondary School and Convent, and St Luke’s Home in Cork.

Mary will speak with Itzell Tazzyman on November 19th as part of the Glass Society of Ireland lecture. Her lecture, entitled On Making a Mark, will provide insight into the proccesses Mary Mackey engages as a painter with the inherent properties of glass; its liquid nature,transparency and opacity; in exploring her concepts of shadow, texture and water, whatever its form, sea, river, moving glacial ice, each making its own mark however impermanent. Mary's lecture will start at 7.30pm (Itzell will speak at 6.30)in the Noel Sheridan room in NCAD, is free of charge and is open to all.

ARTIST PROFILE: ITZELL TAZZYMAN

Revealing Our Nature, Itzell Tazzyman

Born in Santiago Chile, Itzell Tazzyman lives and works in Canberra Australia. She works as an artist, teacher and curator at the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia. Itzell is an alumna of the Australian National University Glass Workshop, graduating with 1st class honours in 1993, studying with the guidance of Klaus Moje (GR), Stephen Procter (UK) and Petr Herel (CZ). Itzell is a faculty member of the ANU glass workshop, where she teaches the complementary studies programs, she has also taught in the UK at Northlands Glass and in the USA at the Pilchuck Glass School. She was the recipient of a 1996 Creative Glass Centre of American Fellowship and winner of the 2007 City of Hobart Art Prize for sculpture. In 2008 Itzell has been awarded a Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship to research glass carving and engraving techniques, in the USA, UK, Germany and the Czech Republic. Her artworks works are represented public and private collections in Australia, Taiwan, Japan, and USA. Itzell is the co-editor of Lines Through Light, a book on the work of Stephen Procter.

Itzell Tazzyman will speak with Irish artist Mary Mackey on 19th November in NCAD as part of the Glass Society of Ireland lecture. Itzell's lecture, Expanding Contemporary Australian Studio Glass is open to all, and is free of charge. Itzell will also lead a group discussion on glass cutting and engraving techniques, so please bring along any examples of cut or engraved glass for discussion. It will start at 6.30pm in the Noel Sheridan Room, above the Glass department in NCAD.