|
Special: Art Spaces, Artists, Artworks
The Space - The Craft Studio
The Craft Studio at the Harbourfront Centre is home to the Glass Studio where several lucky artists work hard to make their dreams come true. Open to public view, this 1,144 sq ft- shared common space features a 300 LB day tank furnace, two glory holes, annealers, cold working equipment and personal storage.
The studio, a former loading dock is a transformed, partially subsidized space where emerging artists can develop their skills and ideas, as well as access professional development programs, exhibitions, marketing opportunities and resources.
The criteria for accepting residents are talent and originality, diploma or degree from an accredited craft (design/art) college or university, a commitment to become a full-time craftsperson and the ability to be self-motivated working in front of the public.
Definition of Terms
Day tank furnace - a gas powered furnace used to hold and heat the supply of raw glass material glassblowers use for their work.
Glory holes - the opening of the furnace used to keep the glass hot and workable. The studio uses a small glory hole that may be rotated open or closed depending on the stage of the project.
Annealer - an annealing oven allows for the gradual cooling of the molten glass both inside and out, thereby ensuring no cracks or breaks mar the project.
Cold working equipment - this equipment includes drills, sanders or any other implements used after the project has been cooled in the annealing oven.
Personal storage - each resident is given individual space to store their finished and unfinished projects.
Glass Studio - Harbourfront Centre, working artist Rachael Wong
The Artist - Julie Gibb
Julie Gibb is a five year veteran in the field of glassblowing. Her work she describes as mostly functional vessels such as bottles or other containers. But for all their functionality her artwork shows attention to detail and graceful design, the beauty of which is often enhanced with delicate screen-printed patterns.
"Glass is especially difficult to work with. I'm constantly learning," says Gibb, "The most difficult thing is it's always responding to gravity and centrifugal force so you always need to be responding to what it's doing."
"It's very fluid. If you watch someone who blows glass well it looks very easy but it's not."
Gibb is literally a glassblower. It is a technique that has been around for hundreds of years, and although the implements have improved the technique is little changed. Firstly Gibb removes a small amount of glass from the furnace using a blowpipe. Air is blown into the pipe inflating the glass slightly. The glass is then thrust into the furnace. The process of molding continues using air, a block as well as a caliper or tongs to fashion the molten glass into the desired shape. After each adjustment the glass is reheated to keep it malleable. The finished product is place in an annealer oven to cool before finishing touches can be added.
Before starting any project, Gibb performs several steps.
"I'm always drawing, so I draw everything. I have to think of the size and the function of the piece; the different colours I'll use... then I have to work out the steps to get the specific shape and proportions, the amount of glass needed, and how many trips to the furnace it will take."
Finally it's into the studio to start creating. However unless it's a requested project Gibbs must also figure out where to sell her work, along with its value in order to recoup her initial investment of labour money and materials. Along with being creative, artists must also have an entrepreneurial spirit if they wish to be successful.
"In order to support yourself you need a lot of venues to sell your work," explains Gibb. "I have at least eight venues in Canada." Gibb sells her work through art galleries and retail outlets, either on consignment or by special purchase.
A graduate of Sheridan College's Crafts and Design program, Gibb has already completed one year of a two-year residency with the Craft Studio at the Harbourfront Centre.
To visit the Arts and Crafts studio or for more information on the residency program please visit the Visual Arts - Craft Studio section at www.harbourfrontcentre.com.
 |
 |
Warbler bottle,
blown and enameled glass, height 49 cm, 2004
Photo by Gordon Webster |
Warbler bottle with squirrel,
blown and enameled glass, height tallest 27cm, 2004,
Photo by Gordon Webster |
|
