The roadside signs are up!

The first wave of roadside signs for the Festival of Glass has hit!

Cnr. of Wyndham St. & Jetty Rd

There are large (6' x 4') signs for the Treasure Hunt and for the Festival as a whole throughout Drysdale (sponsored by Hayeswinckle Real Estate). They include a Festival sign at the front of the service station at the Jetty Road roundabout, which motorists will see as they enter the town.

The 2019 Festival will be launched officially at a "High Tea" on Monday 7 January between 3.00pm and 5.00pm at Café Zoo, 23 High St, Drysdale. the event will also launch the Festival's 2019 Treasure Hunt. Booking for the High Tea is essential; phone Café Zoo: 5251 5333.

In the meantime, Café Zoo is hosting Glass Inspirations - an exhibition of glass art around the theme “Birds of the Bellarine Peninsula”. The exhibition features large and small pieces of glass art jewellery and sculptures created by local glass artists. Each piece will be unique and hand-crafted on the Peninsula, making them ideal gifts.

Glass Inspirations will run to Monday February 11th 2019, between 9.00am and 5.00pm.

"Glass Inspirations" in Drysdale

Monday 3^rd December 2018 saw the opening of Glass Inspirations – an exhibition of glass art at Drysdale’s Café Zoo.

Glenda MacNaughton "Cockatoo Woman"

Local glass artists have created large and small pieces of glass art jewellery and sculptures for Glass Inspirations, around the theme “Birds of the Bellarine Peninsula”. Each piece will be unique and hand-crafted on the Peninsula, making them ideal gifts.

Visitors to Glass Inspirations can admire the glass art, identify the birds and, perhaps, buy one of these delightful pieces. If the pressure of having to choose gets too much, Café Zoo can always supply a restorative snack!

 “Glass Inspirations gives people just a hint of what they’ll see

Marina Villani "Pelican in flight"

during the three months of the 2019 Festival”, said Festival convenor Doug Carson. “Then in January, the start of our annual Treasure Hunt will see treasure hunters young and old searching businesses across the North Bellarine for glass ‘tiny treasures’.”

Glass Inspirations will run from Monday Dec 3rd to Monday February 11th 2019, between 9.00am and 5.00pm at Café Zoo, 23 High St, Drysdale.

Cristallo versus crystal

In the late 17^th century, the invention of crystal challenged Murano’s centuries-long dominance of the European glass goblet industry.

In the mid-1600s, the glass makers of Murano created extraordinarily ornate and complex glass goblets, exploiting the great clarity of cristallo glass, which had been invented in the mid-15th century by glass master Angelo Barovier. The style of these goblets - Façon de Venise - has been admired and emulated ever since. (See “Competing tastes in glass goblets” on this blog 28^th November 2018)

Ranenscroft goblet 1677

Later in the 17^th century (1673), Englishman George Ravenscroft challenged Murano’s near-monopoly on glass technology with his invention - lead crystal, in which lead replaces the calcium of ‘standard’ (potash) glass.

The inclusion of lead results in glass that has greater ‘brilliance’ or shine and separates light into its component spectra, as a prism does. Further, crystal stayed clear even when thick, whereas cristallo tended to look dark unless it was blown thin. (The Ravenscroft goblet in the illustration is held in the National Museum of Warsaw.)

Another new fashion in glass
Ravenscroft and subsequent crystal manufacturers exploited these refractory properties of the relatively thick crystal, creating a new fashion that challenged the dominance of Façon de Venise. Indeed, the decline in the Façon de Venise style was a major contributor to the decline of Murano’s dominance.

Today, perhaps the best-known legacy of Ravenscroft's creation is Waterford Crystal, which is owned by WWRD Group Holdings Ltd., a luxury goods group which also owns and operates the Wedgwood and Royal Doulton brands, and which was acquired on 2 July 2015 by the Fiskars Corporation.

Source: Dunham, B. S. (2002) Contemporary Lampworking: a practical guide to shaping glass in the flame. Prescott, Arizona: Salusa Glassworks Inc.

This is the third in a series of blog posts about the centuries-old tradition of making glass goblets. Among the many and varied creations of our International Artist in Residence at the 2019 Festival of Glass - Davide Penso (Murano) and Credric Ginart and Karina Guevin (Montreal) - are extraordinary contemporary interpretations of this tradition.

Competing tastes in glass goblets - transparent or opaque?

When Murano (Venice) glass master Angelo Barovier  invented cristallo in the mid-1500s, it represented the 'holy grail' of goblet makers. 

Cristallo was exceptionally clear and  transparent glass, free of the impurities that had clouded its predecessors. What better material for drinking vessels (even the holy grail!)? Drinkers could now appreciate their tipple's appearance, as well as its taste and smell.

Murano Dragon Stem goblet, 1600s

Throughout the Middle Ages, glass goblets from Murano dominated the European market for glass drinking vessels - not least because of Cristallo. Murano's competing glassworks created goblets that were increasingly complex in design, decoration and creation; but they also increased in price, restricting their ownership to the wealthy.

 

Is it glass, or ...?

Despite the popularity of cristallo, it became popular or fashionable to create vessels from materials other than glass, especially precious and semi-precious stones. Faced with this threat to their hold on the European market, Murano’s glass makers created new types of glass that imitated chalcedony, opal, amethyst, emerald, sapphire and other precious and semi-precious stones.

Turquoise was especial popular. It was highly prized in the Islamic world

'Turquoise' goblet

and it was imported into Europe via Venice from eastern Iran. The bowl and foot of the late-15^th century Murano glass goblet in the illustration are made of imitation turquoise, while the darker blue stem imitates lapis lazuli. (The goblet is presently held in the British Museum.)

So while Murano’s glass makers celebrated the invention of cristallo and exploited its transparency in new versions of their traditional goblets, they also devoted time and skill to creating forms of glass that  ... well ... didn’t look like glass.

And now?

Of course, most glass drinking vessels are made today industrially. However, hand-made goblets in the Venetian style (façon de Venise) retain their allure. Many present-day glass artists take pride both in replicating the original designs and in creating new forms that showcase their skill and creativity. They include the three International Artists in Residence at the 2019 Festival of Glass - Murano glass master Davide Penso and glass artists Karina Guevin and Cédric Ginart from Montreal.

As visitors to the Festival will see, Davide, Karina and Cédric each creates hand-made goblets in the Venetian style, but each interprets "Venetian style" in their own very creative way.

This is the second in a series of blog posts about the centuries-old tradition of making glass goblets. Among the many and varied creations of our International Artist in Residence at the 2019 Festival of Glass - Davide Penso (Murano) and Credric Ginart and Karina Guevin (Montreal) - are extraordinary contemporary interpretations of this tradition.

‘Tiny Treasures' for Treasure Hunt businesses

Each business in the Festival’s 2019 Treasure Hunt is preparing to place its glass ‘Tiny Treasure’ – a small glass figurine for Treasure Hunters to find.

More than 30 businesses across the North Bellarine – from Curlewis to Portarlington – are taking part in the Treasure Hunt and each one has commissioned a ‘Tiny Treasure’ from a local glass artist.

The Tiny treasures will be delivered well in time for the official launch of the 2019 Treasure Hunt on 7^th January 2019, with a “High Tea” at Café Zoo (23 High Street, Drysdale).

Where's this 'Tiny Treasure"?

Even before the launch, eager Treasure Hunters can see what they’ll be looking for, because the ‘Tiny Treasures’ are on the Festival web site: www.festivalofglass.net.au

The web site also includes an interactive map giving information about each participating business.

... and this poor bandaged soul?

When a Treasure Hunter finds a ‘Tiny Treasure’, the business stamps their entry form. (Each business will have blank forms.); and every ten stamps earns the Treasure Hunter a place in the Treasure Hunt draw at the Festival Expo (Sunday 17^th February), with specially commissioned pieces of glass art as prizes.

Many businesses have found it so enjoyable to be part of previous Treasure Hunts that they were happy to sign up for the 2019 event.

In 2019, you won’t miss the Treasure Hunt – it will be advertised in all the local papers and on roadside signs; and each participating business will have a poster in its window.

Getting a taste of the 2019 Festival

Monday 3^rd December 2018 will see the opening of Glass Inspirations – an exhibition of glass art at Drysdale’s Café Zoo

Glass birds by students at Mauro
Viannello's workshop, 2018 Festival

Local glass artists have created large and small pieces of glass art jewellery and sculptures for Glass Inspirations, around the theme “Birds of the Bellarine Peninsula”. Each piece will be unique and hand-crafted on the Peninsula, making them ideal gifts.

Visitors to Glass Inspirations can admire the glass art, identify the birds and, perhaps, buy one of these delightful pieces. If the pressure of having to choose gets too much, Café Zoo can always supply a restorative snack!

 “Glass Inspirations gives people just a hint of what they’ll see during the three months of the 2019 Festival”, said Festival convenor Doug Carson. “Then in January, the start of our annual Treasure Hunt will see treasure hunters young and old searching businesses across the North Bellarine for glass ‘tiny treasures’.”

 

Glass Inspirations will run from Monday Dec 3rd to Monday February 11th 2019, between 9.00am and 5.00pm at Café Zoo, 23 High St, Drysdale.

An 'in-duct-ion' ceremony??

A small working group from the Festival of Glass committee has acquired yet another skill – creating a ducted ventilation system!

The ventilation system takes shape

On Wednesday 26 September, the group assembled, tested and then disassembled an overhead ventilation system in a meeting room in Drysdale’s Cafe Zoo. In the latter half of February 2019, as part of the 2019 Festival of Glass, the ventilation system will turn Cafe Zoo’s meeting room into a customised venue for glass art workshops.

Mark (Cafe Zoo) wonders what to cook!

Workshop participants will learn how to sculpt, fuse and blow various forms of glass from our international Artists in Residence Davide Penso (Murano) and Cedric Ginart and Karina Guevin (Montreal).

The transformed room will also be the venue for a Festival first – jewellery designer Davide Penso's Glass Jewellery Lab – from wondering to wearing. 

At each event, a dozen participants will use gas/oxygen torches to create glass art; and in the process, they’ll create a lot of heat!

All the details about the workshops and the Jewellery Lab are on the Festival’s web site: www.festivalofglass.net.au

Introducing goblets

Glass artists Davide Penso (Murano), Karina Guevin and Cédric Ginart (both from Montreal) will be Artists in Residence at the 2019 Festival of Glass and their public demonstrations at the Festival are likely to include the wonderful spectacle of glass goblets being hand-blown.

Simple goblet

Goblets are part of a category of glassware known as “stemware” - drinking vessels on stems attached to a base or a foot. The stem is both decorative and functional – it allows the drinker to hold the vessel without affecting the temperature of the drink within. The word “goblet” derives from the old English word ‘gobelet’ meaning ‘cup’.

From pottery to glass

Glass drinking vessels began to replace clay or metal ones with the invention of transparent glass around 800BC. The attraction of glass was its transparency, which enabled a drinker to enjoy the appearance of a drink as well as its flavour, taste and smell.

Glassblowing was invented in the First Century AD in the Syria-Palestine region of the Roman Empire. Over the next three centuries, glassblowing spread swiftly throughout the Roman Empire and glass vessels spread beyond the exclusive circles of the wealthy.

Since then, goblets have became increasingly complex and decorative – as will be demonstrated in forthcoming posts on this blog!

This is the first in a series of blog posts about the centuries-old tradition of making glass goblets. Among the many and varied creations of our International Artist in Residence at the 2019 Festival of Glass - Davide Penso (Murano) and Credric Ginarta and Karina Guevin (Montreal) - are extraordinary contemporary interpretations of this tradition.

A record range of workshops for 2019 Festival

The 2019 Festival of Glass will feature a record number of workshops already and there could be more - the Festival is still five months away!

Davide Penso

Venetian glass master and jewellery designer Davide Penso will run a 4-day masterclass – Glass Jewellery Lab: from wondering to wearing. This event, which will be the first of its kind at the Festival of Glass. As its name implies, it won’t be just a workshop, it will be a laboratory, where participants can test, try and perfect fresh, new jewellery ideas under Davide’s individualised expert assistance and guidance. All you need to bring are your jewellery ideas (and maybe a lab coat!).

In another Festival first, there will be a specialist workshop on sculpting and fusing borosilicate glass - More is Better - run by Karina Guevin and Cedric Ginart, two more of our international Artists in Residence.   

Cedric and Karina at work

There will also be workshops on glass blowing (beginning, intermediate and advanced) glass fusing, mosaics, enamelling, beadweaving and bead embroidery.

You can see all the details about each workshop in the Festival web site (www.festivalofglass.net.au), from where you can book places directly using Eventbrite.

Oh, by the way ....

You might think that there’s no need to book yet – after all, the workshops are months away! Think again - places at each workshop are limited and places are being booked already!

Meet our Canadian visitors

Cédric Ginart and Karina Guevin will join Davide Penso, a glass master and jewellery designer from Murano, Italy as Artists in Residence at the 2019 Festival of Glass.

Cédric Ginart

Karina and Cédric are renowned glass artists from Montreal, Canada. Cédric is a scientific glass blower and a glass artist. In both capacities, he has worked with scientists, artists, industrialists, designers and architects. At present, he works as a scientific glassblower at Montreal University, while also pursuing his career as an internationally renowned glass artist and teacher. 

Karina Guevin is a sculptor and a glass artist, renowned for her technical and aesthetic innovation in glass. She teaches flame working at many international schools and her glass sculptures and jewellery has been exhibited throughout Canada, as well as in the United States, France, Japan and the United Kingdom.

Karina Guevin

What a team!

Karina and Cédric often teach flamework together at international schools. Cédric has the quiet concentration you might expect of a scientific glassblower, while Karina has a riotous sense of humour and delights in small animals! Put the two together and the results are spectacular! Their modern-day versions of traditional Venetian-style goblets must be seen to be believed and, of course, you can do just that at the 2019 Festival of Glass.

A Guevin/Ginart goblet

You can see Karina and Cédric at work by joining their workshop, More is Better: sculpting, fusing and assembling borosilicate glass, from 13^th – 15^th February at Drysdale’s Cafe Zoo.

You can also sign up for their evening demonstration, Torch and Talk; blowing and sculpting a glass goblet on Monday 18^th February from 5.30pm – 7.39pm.

More information about each event is on the Festival web site (www.festivalofglass.net.au).

For more information about Karina and Cédric, visit their web sites:

* Cédric Ginart: https://www.cedricginart.com

* Karina Guevin: https://www.karinaguevin.com

This will be their first time teaching in Australia and the Festival is delighted to welcome them and host their visit.

Artists in Residence

The Festival started to feature an Artist in Residence four years ago in 2015, when Mark Eliott filled the bill. Since then, we’ve hosted Mark Eliott and Peter Minson in 2016, Davide Penso (Murano) in 2017 and Mauro Vianello (Venice) in 2018.

2019 Festival - not one but three Artists in Residence!

In a Festival first, the 2019 Festival of Glass will feature not one but three international Artists in Residence.

Davide at work in Murano

Firstly, Murano glass master Davide Penso makes a welcome return to the Festival of Glass. Davide was our international Artist in Residence in 2016 and was a great hit with the general public who attended his demonstrations and with the people attending his three workshops.

Davide is internationally renowned as a master of flamework, but also as a jewellery designer and creator. He will demonstrate his skills as a flameworker at "Twilight Flames" and at the Festival Expo; and he will give personalised guidance to students at "The Jewellery Lab" - four days of intense experimentation and creativity.

The sub-title of this unique event is "From wondering to wearing", because at "The Jewellery Lab", students can turn their jewellery ideas into finished pieces and then show them off at a gala "Glitz and Glam" evening.

Karina and Cédric at work in Montreal

Our second and third Artists in Residence will be Cédric Ginart and Karina Guevin, from Montreal, Canada. Cedric is a scientific glass blower and glass artist, who has worked with scientists, artists, industrialists, designers and architects; Karina Guevin is a sculptor and a glass artist, renowned for her technical and aesthetic innovation.

Karina and Cédric will join Davide Penso at "Twilight Flames"; at "Torch and Talk" they will create their own flamboyant versions of extraordinary  Venetian glass goblets; and at their "More is Better" workshop, they'll show you how to do it!

Twilight Flames: The Range at Curlewis. 16 February at 6.30pm. Tickets: http://www.festivalofglass.net.au

The Jewellery Lab:  Zoo cafe, Drysdale High Street. 21 – 24 February.

Registration and information: http://www.festivalofglass.net.au

Torch and Talk:  Zoo cafe, Drysdale High Street

 More is Better:  Zoo cafe, Drysdale High Street. 13 – 15 February. 9.00am – 5.00pm.

A glass mural to brighten Drysdale's arcade

The Festival of Glass committee is creating a glass mural to brighten the shopping arcade in Drysdale High Street.

"Before"

The arcade was painted a deep brown, making it a dark and uninviting place to visit or even to walk through. The Festival committee felt that the arcade could be improved by repainting it in a lighter colour, then installing a glass mural to make it a unique site of interest.

Business owners in the arcade were enthusiastic about the proposal, as were the arcade’s owners, so painting started in July. Festival committee members were joined by DCSCA committee members and by some Festival Friends (were you there?!) and after two coats of paint, the arcade looks better and brighter already – even before the mural!

"After"

Passers-by made lots of very positive comments to the painting team, who explained that the project is a Festival of Glass initiative and promoted the Festival shamelessly!

The Festival committee is now considering possible designs for a series of murals to decorate the arcade walls. Each mosaic will be created on a board, which will then be fixed to the wall.

The arcade project is the second mosaic in Drysdale initiated by the Festival of Glass. In October 2016, we unveiled the ceramic and glass “Welcome to Drysdale” mural overlooking the town’s ‘village green’. The mural was created in collaboration with Wathaurong Glass, Bellarine Secondary College and the Rotary Club of Drysdale.