FOR the second year running, a Queanbeyan artist has been named as the Canberra Glassworks Creative Fellow.
Kirstie Rea in her studio, photo by Rebecca Olsen
Previously described by us as “one of our local treasures,” Kirstie Rea is a veteran glass artist who has worked taught in Australia, Canada, the US and Europe. She has been praised for her spare, minimal work which is included in the permanent collections of places like the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, and the NGA. In 2009 she received the Honorary Life Member Award from AusGlass, the Australian Association of Glass Artists.
During official proceedings at the inaugural Winter Glass Market on the weekend, Canberra Glassworks chair Nola Anderson announced that Rea wouydl be Creative Fellow for 2016. She said, “Having her here in 2016 will be an immensely stimulating, creative time for our whole community.” Rea established her studio in 1987 afdter her graduation from the Glass program at the Canberra School of Art and has over the past 28 years continued to develop her practice to become internationally recognised and respected for her works in glass.
She has enjoed solo exhibitions in Australia, the USA, New Zealand and Hong Kong. Rea was a lecturer in the Glass Workshop, ANU from 1987 to 2003, and was the inaugural Creative Director at the Canberra Glassworks, Australia from November 2006 to February 2008. She has taught in her field of kiln formed glass and cold working techniques across the world since 1987 including at Pilchuck Glass School USA, the Corning Studio, USA, Pittsburgh Glass Centre, USA, North Lands Creative Glass in Scotland and Vetroricerca School in Bolzano Italy.
From 2003 – 2005 she served on the Board of Directors for the Glass Art Society (USA) and was closely involved in the organisation and running of three international glass conferences. She also served on the Board of Directors of Ausglass and was a co-chair for the 14th biennial Ausglass conference Open House in 2008.
Before accepting the Creative Fellowship, in which role she succeeds the present fellow, Matthew Curtis, Rea led the participative ‘Rebuilding the Building’ project for the Winter Glass Market where people could learn to cut glass and contribute to a collaborative work based on two photographs of the building. This was one of the many fundraising activities that the public were able to enjoy at this new event which will help raise funds to support the Creative Fellowship program.
“I have been an ardent supporter of Canberra Glassworks since its inception and I’m delighted to accept the Creative Fellowship for 2016 and have the opportunity to work here full time and create work amongst the glass community,” Rea said.
Canberra Glassworks is currently seeking donations for such initiatives. All donations above $2 are tax deductible. Inquiries to Beverly Growden, General Manager, Canberra Glassworks on 0417 903 318 or 6260 7005. For further information: canberraglassworks.com
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