Glass artists win prestigious glass prize

April 4, 2011 - PRLog -- Leading glass art suppliers Warm Glass UK, based in Wrington, North Somerset, made the awards in the competition which this year had the theme “environment” and categories for “students” “artists” and “Bullseye glass”.

The winner of the ‘students’ prize 2011 is Dóra Varga, who received over 1400 votes from members of the public to snatch the title. This prize was open to all those currently studying a further or higher education course and received an impressive 47 entries this year.

Dóra, who created a house of cards structure, said: “The most important aspect when creating my objects is to use the glass in a state that expresses the theme of the object the best. The ethereal cards, with a grainy structure, express the fragile nature of the house of cards that can collapse at any time.”

The ‘artists’ prize was open to all glass artists regardless of experience and was judged by Bob Leatherbarrow, a world-famous glass artist, based in Canada, who is holding a masterclass at the Warm Glass UK headquarters in Somerset.

Bob decided that Graeme Thyer’s ‘Charcoal Glass’ piece was the best in terms of technique and artistry and chose it from over 70 entries in its category.

Graeme said: “I am deeply surprised my glass has achieved something so honourable. After only working with glass for two and a half years it shocks me how far I have come.”

The final category was the ‘Bullseye Glass’ group. Entries in this category were to be made with Bullseye Glass only and the successful entrant was Alison Lowry, winner of last year’s Artists category.

The ‘Bullseye Glass’ category was judged by Lani MacGregor, co-owner of Bullseye Glass Company, and Silvia Levenson, an Argentinian glass artist who agreed that Alison’s ‘Jack fell down’ piece was the stand-out winner.

Alison said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been picked as this year’s winner of the Warm Glass UK Bullseye Glass Category. The winning piece, 'Jack fell down' is part of a larger body of work, and touring exhibition, entitled 'Vessels of Memory'. The piece was created using pate-de-verre and has been extensively sand carved.”

The winners receive some great prizes; Graeme won a highly coveted place on Bob Leatherbarrow’s ‘Powder and Crackle’ Masterclass to be held at Warm Glass UK, while Dóra won a Paragon SC2 kiln, donated by Paragon Industries.

Alison was the delighted recipient of a flight to Portland, Oregon, five-nights accommodation and a pass for the Bullseye conference BECon, all donated by Bullseye Glass Company.

Pippa Bluck, Warm Glass UK director said: “The standard of this year’s entries has been astonishing, the judging has been so tough because we had such great pieces to choose from.

“This is the seventh year we have run the competition and it seems to grow and grow all the time. It has become an esteemed award within the industry and we’re really proud to be able to offer a platform for the artists who enter.

“Graeme, Dóra and Alison all created fantastic work and we hope they enjoy their prizes.”