Kiln Artist

“My work is created as a personal reaction to life’s experiences. I rely on the qualities of the cast glass to capture and confine or reveal and expose my emotional journey. I am currently immersed in the journey of self-identity and the importance of the written word as escapism and equally, an insight into self-presence.”

Education

Nov 2005 Visual Enterprise Scheme York College
July 2005 MA Glass Sunderland University
2003-2004 City& Guilds 7407 Hartlepool College FE
Dec 2003 GLEAM Business Course Durham University
1999-2001 BA Hons Glass and Ceramics Sunderland University
1997-1999 HND 3D Craft Design York College HFE
1996-1997 BTEC Foundation Cleveland College Of Art
1994-1996 A’ levels (3) Hartlepool Sixth Form College

Exhibitions

Oct 2006 – Ryedale Artists Ryedale Folk Museum, Hutton-Le-Hole
Oct 2006 … Sumit Bookshop, Kirbymoorside
Sept 2006 Launch of Rachel Gretton Glass Dalby Forest, Pickering
Sept 2006 … Biscuit Factory, Newcastle
Aug 2006 British Glass Biennale Ruskin Glass Centre, Stourbridge
June 2006 Cohesion at Artifax Artifax Gallery, Birmingham
June 2006 Showcase Exhibition Mercer Gallery, Harrogate
June 2006 Open Studios Rachel Gretton Glass, Pickering
May 2006 Glass 2006 Pyramid Gallery, York
Dec 2005 Reflect Hartlepool Art Gallery
Sept 2005 Shaping Light 2 The Tea Building, London
July 2005 Vetrospective Biscuit Factory, Newcastle
June 2004 Garden Sculpture Ridley Hall, Stoke-On-Trent
June 2004 Ever Changing Light Hutton In The Forest, Hutton
May 2004 Hartlepool Art Gallery
May 2004 Garden Sculpture Crook Hall, Durham
July 2003 Diversity 2 National Glass Centre, Sunderland
July 2003 Garden sculpture Hutton In The Forest, Hutton
June 2003 Ever Changing Light Crook Hall, Durham
June 2003 National Glass centre, Sunderland
April 2003 Biscuit Factory, Newcastle
Feb 2003 Stimulate The senses Bang & Olufsen, Jesmond
Nov 2002 Flat Cat Gallery, Lauder
Sept 2002 Gold Gallery, Edinburgh
June 2002 New Directions Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead
May 2002 Pyramid Gallery, York
May 2001 75 Years of Swedish Glass Mezzanine Gallery, Sunderland

Work Experience

I am a self-employed kiln glass artist with seven years experience in my field. I produce unique sculptural glass for private and corporate commissions. I also facilitate kiln glass workshops to all skill and age levels, within the community.

My business was established in September 2004 and in that year Rachel Gretton Glass was nominated for the Best New Business Awards 2004 and was subsequently a finalist in the Young Entrepreneur category. Since re-locating to North Yorkshire Rachel Gretton Glass has also been nominated for the North Yorkshire Press ‘Best New Business’ 2006 both ‘Young Euntrepreneur’ and ‘Best Small Business’ catagories.

I have three years experience teaching glass to a wide audience and was employed as a visiting lecturer by Sunderland University; I have also been a visiting artist on many occasions to various schools, colleges and galleries throughout the North East and North Yorkshire.

I have worked for and alongside renowned glass artists producing high standard work for major exhibitions. I have also produced award-winning designs for Cost Boda in Sweden; this work was sold in Harrods and was exhibited in the ’75 years of Swedish Glass’ exhibition held at the National Glass Centre in Sunderland.

I have opened a working kiln glass studio/gallery in Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire and have recently been awarded an Arts Council ‘Grants For The Arts ‘ Award to assist in the continuing development and production of work and designs for commissions and exhibitions.

Oct 2006 Awards Society Of Dyers And Colourists
Oct – Dec 2006 Glass Balustrades Bisca Design Company
Oct 2006 Kiln Glass Workshops Wakefield Art Gallery
Sept 2006 Graphic Window Design York Council Offices
April 2006 Opened Studio/Gallery Dalby Forest, Pickering
Jan 2006 Exhibition Curator York College
Aug – Oct 2005 Kiln glass workshop Hartlepool Council
March 2005 Workshop Wingate infant school
Sept 2003 – 2004 Visiting Lecturer Sunderland University
March-May 2004 NDC Workshop Hartlepool Council
Feb – April 2004 Workshop Hartlepool Council
June – Sept 2003 Cold work Assistant Colin Rennie, Jerwood Glass Prize
June 2003 Big Art Week West Park Primary School
Nov 2002 Teaching Assistant Sunderland University
Nov 2002 Visiting Artist York College
Aug 2002 Cold work Assistant National Glass Centre
July 2002 Art club Leader National Glass Centre
May-July 2002 Technical Support Worker Sunderland University
July-Dec 2001 Leader for African Project Beira, Mozambique