The Pilchuck Expereince - Apply Apply Apply

There's a place near Seattle, half way round the world from our rainy little island, that's synonymous with glass art: Pilchuck Glass School.

Every year Pilchuck serves as melting pot (pun intended) for glass art enthusiasts worldwide. The school offers summer intensive classes from May through to September and several artist residencies throughout the rest of the year. 
A trip to Pilchuck is a truly unique experience where you learn far more than the syllabus of your chosen class; It is an unequalled opportunity to make international connections and see in one place the vast diversity and scope of the international glass art practice. Once you have an open mind and a desire to learn, you are never to old or too inexperienced to enjoy a trip to Pilchuck.

Money. We all wish we had more of it, I won't lie Pilchuck course fees are expensive and travelling from Ireland will cost the guts of a grand for flights. There are however a range of options to help with the costs including scholarships, campus internships and teaching/artist assistant positions. 

Almost one third of Pilchuck students receive some kind of financial assistance through scholarship programmes. Some are full scholarships, covering tuition, accommodation and travel to Pilchuck. Half scholarships, which are more numerous, cover half the cost of tuition and accommodation but do not cover the cost of travel. Those with studio experience in glass can also apply to work as Artist or Teaching Assistants: TAs and AA's receive accommodation, meals and covered or subsidised travel to the Pilchuck campus. 

The iconic hotshop 

All staff on campus, from the ones who clean the bathrooms to those who process the paperwork, are practising artists. Artsits can apply to work in a range of positions (kitchen staff, maintenance staff etc...) for two or more of the summer sessions. Staff get accommodation, meals, a small subsidy and some time to do some personal work between sessions. Mainly though, working as seasonal staff is a great opportunity to meet and connect with the visiting artists and students, make some great friends and have some great experiences. As it is not a paid position, Irish applicants can go on a travel visa (avoiding the great expense of an american work visa). 

Two NCAD glass students went to Pilchuck in summer 2013. I asked them for a few words on their experience: 

Gwyn Grace

'Gwyn Grace went to Pilchuck Glass School in August 2012 on a Partner half-scholarship through NCAD having just finished 3rd year. Her course was lost-wax kiln-casting ‘Shape into form’ with Joel Hurlbert and Karin Tornell - glass artists working in Stockholm, Sweden. There were 9 on the course, a mix of students and established artists and teachers. Kiln casting is a long process so time for finishing and cold-working was short as most of the pieces were only ready a few days before the end however most of us were able to take our work with us to complete once we'd returned home. All the class worked long hours, often well after midnight preparing for a kilnfiring but we had lots of fun as well. The pace of the kiln-casting class gave us lots of opportunity to see demonstrations happening in other classes and meet the rest of students.  She summed up here experience with a toast: “ Here's to fond memories, future plans and heart-felt thanks to everyone's generosity of spirit!”'

Looking at the casts with the class 

Jesse Gunther

Jesse Gunther travelled to Pilchuck on a scholarship after finishing his BA in Glass in NCAD, summer 2013. Jesse proves that you never know what a trip to Pilchuck might bring. Here's what he had to say about it:
 
'For starters it was an amazing experience! I took Tom Rowney's class; ‘Cups with Cane’ and focused on making different styles of cane, ranging from straight to very intricate twisty cane. After that we learnt how to turn these canes into straight cups and footed vessels. In the last week we started using the garage to make more complex goblets. Our entire class were all newcomers to Pilchuck, and the skill level was very even throughout the class, which made for a great experience for everyone.

Tom Rowney's cane seahorses

I got really lucky after Pilchuck; I had a while before my return flight and I got to help out Jeff Ballard in the Tacoma Museum for two days where he was Artist in Residence, that was a great experience! Then two days later I also got to work one day for Martin Blank in his studio who was just preparing for a big exhibition, amazing stuff..'

Some of Jesse's work from the class

Deadlines for scholarship/assistant/staff applications are coming up in FEBRUARY. See their website for more details and remember guys, if you do go, the GSoI wants to here all about it!! 

Written by Meadhbh McIlgorm

GSoI Media and Communications Officer

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 at NCAD end of year show

Hi all sorry for the lack of blog posts recently it has been a busy time for us all at the Glass Society. We will have a shiny new webpage soon and our wonderful student rep Meadhbh McIlgorm has taken over from myself as the Media and Communications Officer. But before I hand over completely I wanted to share the amazing talent in this year’s National College of Art and Design degree show which featured: Jesse Gunther, Meadhbh McIlgorm and Michelle Mc Dermott.

We will be presenting a blog feature on each of the above newly hatched glass artists.

First up is Jesse Gunther:

Jesse’s work is a stunning combination of glass and metal work. The hugely labour intensive process used to create the glass components has resulted in wonderfully crafted pieces that are finish to an incredibly high standard. His use of metal started in his Dad’s workshop before college but it did not inform his art work until the creation of a piece for Sculpture in Context at the Botanical Gardens last year.

The appearance of his work seems futuristic and almost otherworldly. When I questioned him on this he said that all the forms for the pieces actually found their routes in nature. His artist’s statement describes how this series of biomorphic, hybrid sculptural forms represent an aesthetic exploration of a variety of natural organisms. He borrows features from insects such as dragonflies and invertebrates such as squid.

If you want to see these beautiful creations in the flesh the show is open until the 22 of June so there is still some time!

Written by Fiona Byrne

Dr Vanessa Cutler at the National College of Art and Design

Dr. Vanessa Cutler recently visited the National College of Art and Design in Dublin to speak about her recently published book ‘New Technologies in Glass’. The Glass Society of Ireland was invited to attend and we also got the chance to have a few words with Cutler after the talk.

Cutler’s dedication to her chosen medium and technique is clear. Utilising the technique of

waterjet cutting in her sculpture, she pushes the limits of glass and stretches the technology to its boundaries. She challenges herself and those she mentors and collaborates with to look at things inside out and upside down, she turns our perceptions of craft, design and the applied arts on its head.

Although Cutler does not define herself as an engineer, she shares an engineer’s mentality in striving to achieve a specific desired outcome, whilst as an artist she finds freedom in sometimes allowing the equipment to dictate the final aesthetic of the work. She fully acknowledges the tension that exists in her work between art and engineering. This is not surprising when you hear of her father’s influence in her life, himself an engineer, from whom she developed an early interest in the workings of the world around her. It seems natural then that her interest in glass would meet her love of technology and waterjet manufacturing has allowed this to happen for her.

Taking risks with glass is a huge part of Cutler’s practice: seeing how close to the edge she can cut, how close together can the cuts be? This constant pushing of the process and material has resulted in some innovative pieces of glass (although she laughs about the resulting transportation issues). “Don’t stay within the compounds of what you know” is Cutler’s motto. True to her word, she has spent the last decade finding answers to questions, often with triumphant and unexpected results. This is seen in her series Fingertips, which proved that blown glass can successfully be cut by waterjet.

When asked about her influences Cutler noted the great respect she holds for other contemporary makers she has collaborated with. Stemming from the beginnings of her career in stained glass, architecture is a key stimulus to the development of her work. Her pieces employ simplicity in their aesthetic. She deals with composition with a minimalist approach, often repeating a shape within a formal arrangement which tests her technical knowledge to the limit.

Her pieces are also sparked from a sense of place and memory. She rarely takes photographs of her travels but uses the impressions of the places retained in her visual memory to inform her practice. Shapes stay with her, sometimes for years after a visit, until they find their way into an artwork. In this way, she believes that, “glass can say more about you than you can say yourself”.

For more information on Cutler and her work visit her webpage HERE

To purchase her book 'New Technologies in Glass' CLICK HERE

(by Fiona Byrne & Emer Lynch)

JAMFACTORY ASSOCIATE TRAINING PROGRAM, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

JamFactory is a unique cultural organisation promoting good design and fine craftsmanship through its widely acclaimed studios, galleries and shops. It is an iconic institution within South Australia and is recognised nationally and internationally as a centre for excellence. Since its establishment by the South Australian Government in 1973, JamFactory has been presenting outstanding exhibitions and public programs, nurturing the careers of talented artists, craftspeople and designers and supporting the incomes of entrepreneurial designer-makers.

JamFactory’s Associate Training Program provides high-level skills and business training for artists, craftspeople and designers working in the areas of Ceramics, Glass, Furniture or Metal Design. Associates spend two years developing their own work under the guidance and mentorship of accomplished creative staff while gaining specialised knowledge and expertise through collaborative work on JamFactory projects, products and commissions. Further mentoring and critique is provided through visiting artists and designers and through a process of peer to peer learning.

The deadline for applications is 31st October 2012. Positions must be taken up on 28th January 2013. If you would like to apply, please contact the Creative Director of the studio you are interested in to find out more before submitting a written application.

E: karen.cunningham@jamfactory.com.au
W: http://www.jamfactory.com.au/associate-program.php

GLASS AND CERAMICS POSTGRADUATE OPEN DAY, UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND

National Glass Centre, Sunderland at the University of Sunderland has a large post-graduate cohort (c45 students) studying MA Glass, MA Ceramics, PhD or MPhil. As part of their 2012 Glass and Ceramics postgraduate application process, they would like to invite prospective students to visit the department on 7th February 2012 (12pm – 5pm). If you are re-assessing your current professional practice, study at the University of Sunderland, one of the biggest and best-equipped providers of glass and ceramics education, might be a key route for professional development. They are happy to consider applications from candidates with diverse professional and education backgrounds.

To reserve your place on the open day or for further details of postgraduate study please email Professor Kevin Petrie, Glass & Ceramics Team Leader by 2nd February 2012.

E: kevin.petrie@sunderland.ac.uk

FUNDED PHD OPPORTUNITY, UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND

The University of Sunderland are now advertising for one Arts and Humanities Research Council funded PhD studentship in Applied Arts and Crafts (Glass and/or Ceramics) for EU students to start in October 2012. This is part of our Block Grant Partnership with the Northumbria University (Deadline 9th March 2012). Potential applicants will be able to discuss their research ideas with staff at the Open Day on 7th February 2012. To reserve your place on the open day or for further details of postgraduate study please email Professor Kevin Petrie, Glass & Ceramics Team Leader by 2nd February 2012.

This informal afternoon also aims to:
- Introduce the nature of the MA, PhD or MPhil degree
- Provide case studies of current students
- Explain the structure of the programmes
- Provide an overview of training and learning resources (department tour)
- Explain the financial aspects (including the AHRC Postgraduate schemes for exceptional EU candidates)
- Offer the chance for advisory interviews to discuss your future plans in relation to post-graduate study.

E: kevin.petrie@sunderland.ac.uk
W: http://nuweb.northumbria.ac.uk/nebgp/d3applied.php
W: http://carcuos.wordpress.com/
W: http://glassresearch.sunderland.ac.uk/

MFA GLASS PROGRAMME SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY CARBONDALE – CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

The MFA program in Glass at Southern Illinois University is a three year programme and offers graduate assistantships with full tuition waiver and monthly stipend. The School of Art and Design at SIU Carbondale includes a 4,000-square-foot Surplus Gallery, facilities in glass, ceramics, blacksmithing, small metals, foundry, sculpture, and 2D areas including printmaking, as well as up-to-date digital imaging equipment. Graduate students have private studio space, 24-hour access to studio facilities, and exposure to a variety of art, design, and art history courses as well as visiting artist lectures and workshops. With over 50 graduate students in the School of Art and Design, SIU offers a strong sense of community for entering MFA students.

The Glass program at SIU has a fully equipped hotshop and coldshop, numerous kilns of varying sizes, as well as a moldmaking area, critique space, and a mobile glass studio. Students also have access to photo equipment for documentation of work. Strong applicants to the MFA program in glass should be pursuing research in glass and developing their career toward being professional artists. The Glass program is seeking graduate assistants who have experiences as glass studio technician
and/or teaching beginning level glass survey classes. A variety of graduate assistantships are available throughout the art and design
areas. All Graduate assistantships have full tuition waiver and monthly
stipend. Travel funds and scholarships are also available for the graduate
students to attend conferences and participate in exhibitions.

Applications are due 15th February 2012. For queries and questions please contact Jiyong Lee, Associate Professor.

E: Jiyong@siu.edu
W: http://artanddesign.siuc.edu
T: (618) 453-7772

LECTURER REQUIRED, SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY CARBONDALE, USA

SIU Carbondale - School of Art and Design - is seeking a 50% FTE Lecturer (non-tenure-track) in Glass. Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. This is a two-semester term appointment (Spring Semester 1st January – 15th May 2012; Fall Semester 16th August – 31st December 2012)

Qualifications required: MFA degree in Studio Glass with previous college level teaching experience in glass area. Applicants must exhibit proficiency in teaching a variety of advanced level studio glassart and concepts at advanced college level. Applicants must be proficient with organizing and maintaining a glass studio to include hot glass, kiln and cold glass working facilities. The applicant must show evidence of a strong commitment to personal research.

Duties: Responsibilities will include teaching two glass courses per semester along with maintaining office hours, supervising and organising the glass studio facilities. The successful candidate will also oversee the students who study in the Glass Program with the faculty in the area.

Application Deadline: 14th November 2011 or until filled.
To apply send letter of application, curriculum vitae, artist statement, statement of teaching philosophy, names of three references, twenty images of personal work and transcript to:
Jiyong Lee, Associate Professor
Chair of Glass Search Committee
School of Art and Design
Mail Code 4301
SIU Carbondale
1100 S. Normal Avenue
Carbondale, IL 62901
USA

NCAD PROSPECTUSES AND PORTFOLIO BRIEF NOW ONLINE

The National College of Art and Design have uploaded their undergraduate and postgraduate prospectuses, along with their 2012 portfolio brief. For more information on courses, application deadlines etc, visit:

W: www.ncad.ie

CEAD EASTER AND SUMMER COURSES, NCAD

CEAD - Continuing Education in Art and Design - offer a wide range of Easter and summer courses in NCAD, Dublin. For more information, visit:

W: http://www.ncad.ie/faculties/education/cead.shtml

UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND POSTGRADUATE OPEN DAY

The University of Sunderland's Department of Glass and Ceramics Open Day is occuring on Wednesday 24 November. For more information and to book a place for talks and tours at the Open Day, contact Professor Kevin Petrie, at

E: kevin.petrie@sunderland.ac.uk
or visit
W: http://www.sunderland.ac.uk/study/subjectareas/glassandceramics/postgraduatestudy/

RCA CERAMICS AND GLASS OPEN DAY

This year's RCA Ceramics and Glass Open Day occurs on Wednesay 1 December. For more information, visit:

W: www.rca.ac.uk

HOT GLASS TECHNIQUES: ONE YEAR COURSE, BOURNEMOUTH AND POOLE COLLEGE

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NVQ (QCF) DIPLOMA: GLASS TECHNIQUES, LIQUID GLASS CENTRE

Modules in:
Glass Blowing
Fusing/Slumping
Kiln Casting
Hot Glass Casting
Lampworking
Architectural Glass
Cold Working
Design and Marketing

Course Starts September 28th 2010.

2 Places still available, for more information and application pack contact centre:

Liquid Glass Centre
Wingfield
Wiltshire
BA14 9LH

E: info@liquidglasscentre.co.uk
T: +44 (0)1225 768888

ONE-YEAR HOT GLASS TECHNIQUES COURSE, THE BOURNEMOUTH AND POOLE COLLEGE

Applications are now being taken for a one-year hot glass techniques course at The Bournemouth and Poole College, UK. For more information and to download an application form, visit:
W: http://www.thecollege.co.uk/courses/21312

ONE YEAR PART-TIME GLASS SKILLS COURSE AT THE LIQUID GLASS CENTRE, SW ENGLAND

Starting in September 2010, the Liquid Glass Centre is offering a one year part-time course in various glass skills, including blowing, lampworking, architectural glass and coldworking. It is an ideal course if you are considering going on to a masters in glass. For more information and to get an application form, visit www.liquidglasscentre.com

GLASS OR CERAMICS AHRC STUDENTSHIP, SUNDERLAND

Information for Applicants
The successful candidate will join a unique Glass and Ceramics department, which is the largest in Europe, with world and internationally significant research in glass, and internationally significant research in ceramics. We welcome glass and/or ceramic research proposals for this three year AHRC Doctoral Studentship. Part time study five year applications will also be considered.

Glass and Ceramics has a lively cohort of c30 PhD students, five AHRC funded. This AHRC Doctoral Studentship is the second of five, to be award annually, 2009-2013. Each student has a workstation and, with support, undertakes individual research study.

Research students benefit from the University’s generic research support and research skills training. Art and Design (Prof Beryl Graham) and Glass and Ceramics (Prof Kevin Petrie) provide specialist training. We organise a biennial UK Glass and Ceramics Research Students’ Conference, alternating with an in-house presentation week.

Professional Development (Prof Peter Davies) and Enterprise are addressed by Creativitiworks, which supports creative business. We expect an agreed return to the department, which also addresses the student’s career development and
aspirations.

Enquiries
For further information contact: Professor Peter Davies, Tel: 0044 191 515 3653, email peter.davies@sunderland.ac.uk, or Professor Kevin Petrie, Tel: 0044 191 515 3610, email kevin.petrie@sunderland.ac.uk.

Applications
Applicants should check eligibility with regards to residency etc., and students who have already started research, at AHRC Guide to Student Eligibility

Applications must be made on Application form D1 and emailed to applications@northeastbgp.org by 12 midday, Wednesday 24 MARCH 2010. Applications received after this date and time will be kept on file as reserves. If you wish to apply for more than one of the opportunities advertised on this website, please submit each relevant form. Northumbria and Sunderland Universities will take an overview of all applications received for these joint AHRC Block Grant Partnership studentships, when shortlisting. Interviews will be held during the week beginning Tuesday 4 May 2010. Applicants are expected to attend interview in person.

For further information, visit:
W: http://www.sunderland.ac.uk

UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND DEPT OF GLASS AND CERAMICS OPEN DAY

The open day for the Dept of Glass and Ceramics at the University of Sunderland runs on Friday 5th March 2010 1pm-6pm. They offer a wide range of BA, MA and PhD programmes at the largest department of its kind in Europe. For more information, visit:
W: http://www.sunderland.ac.uk

PHD STUDENTSHIP AT SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

Swansea Metropolitan University have a PhD studentship available working with their water jet cutting equipment. It is a 9k tax free studentship working with Vanessa Cutler on extending the parameters of how water jet can apply to glass. If anyone is interested please email Vanessa or Professor Kelvin Donne to find out more. The intention is that the PhD would begin December 2009 completing 2012. Applicants need to have a good degree or Masters, preferably (but not necessarily) in glassmaking. The work will develop on Vanessa's work carried out from and since her thesis on the subject in 2006, extending the parameters of the machine and investigating the aesthetics of applying waterjet technology. This will include cutting and surface milling, little has been investigated currently that incorporates controlled surface abrasion (milling) which could be the starting point for the PhD.

For more information, please contact:

E: kelvin.donne@smu.ac.uk or vanessa.cutler@smu.ac.uk
W: www.smu.ac.uk