Pilchuck Glass School's 36th Annual Auction

It was a Poleturner reunion this past weekend!...Myself and fellow Poleturner friends met up in Seattle, Washington to attend Pilchuck Glass School’s Annual Auction Gala.

Silly photo fun with these lovely glassblowers

Held at The Westin Hotel, each table setting featured blown glass centrepieces that I helped create this past summer.  An absolute pleasure being part of such a successful event! 

2014 centerpiece design

The fundraising gala was attended by over 700 patrons, artists, and community leaders.  In it's 36th year, the event featured more than 350 artworks, and raised over $300 000 in support of the school’s dynamic educational programs.

 

Scott and I perusing the art

Let the live auction begin!

The evening was filled with incredible glass art, delicious food and drinks, the company of lovely friends, and donations from generous supporters.  Highlights also included a photo op with the one and only Dale Chihuly!  Talk about a fulfilling evening :)   


With Mr. Chihuly

(All photos courtesy of Pilchuck Glass School)

2014 Poleturners Union, Local 1201

My first Pilchuck experience!  Until now I had only heard tales of its' epic-ness...and the stories they told were fitting, dreams really do come true here...

Pilchuck Glass School is an international centre for glass art education.  The serene campus in Stanwood, Washington, is nestled in the picturesque foothills of the Cascade mountains on a former tree farm. 

For three weeks each summer a juried group of glass artists from around the world, fondly known as the Poleturners, donate their time to create centerpieces for Pilchuck's Annual Auction Gala.  Consisting of a Centerpiece Designer, Project Manager, Lead Gaffers and 25 Poleturners, the group works together to produce, finish and pack approx. 110 auction pieces within a short timeframe.  With this common goal in mind, production quickly heats up and the entire team puts in dedicated efforts to carry out this vision.  Glassblowers of the world unite, share skills, gain new knowledge, and most of all have fun experiencing the incredibly cooperative spirit that is ever-present at Pilchuck!

I am thrilled, honored, and humbled to be part of such a talented community of glass artists :)

2014 Poleturners (Photo by Alec Miller)

The Hotshop (Photo by Alec Miller)

2014 Centerpiece Designer - Scott Benefield (Photo by Alec Miller)

Cailey Buye assisted by Alex Cannon (Photo by Alec Miller)

Our brilliant dinner view! (Left photo by: Cailey Buye. Right by: Rachel Escoe) 

The group watching a sunset from Inspiration Point (Photo by KT Hancock)

Making of Bocci's 57 Series

Making 57's for Bocci!  The grey exterior of this newest chandelier has a moody, rain cloud feel to it when unlit.  Once illuminated, however, the piece comes alive to reveal an entire internal universe of air pockets.  Designed to hang in horizontal clusters from a flexible suspension system, the reference to a cloudy sky becomes even further evident. 

Check out the making of 57's in this mesmerizing video by Gwenael Lewis, featuring none other than myself :) 

 

I had a fantastic time being filmed in the studio by Gwenael; such a talented director and warm-hearted guy!  Plus it's great to change pace now and then and get away from usual production mode.

My glass art!

My fascination with glass began 8 years ago.  Stumbling upon the glass department while in my first year of art school, I became immediately hooked.  It came as such a natural fit for me; I felt both physically and intellectually stimulated.  In 2010 I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree majoring in glass from the Alberta College of Art + Design, and have also studied glass techniques and design in Sweden, Scotland, the USA and across Canada.

I have continually worked within the Arts field.  This includes gallery sales, commission work, teaching and TA'ing glass courses, working as a visual arts studio technician, and as a full-time production glassblower.  Also, my glass work has been exhibited internationally, published, and I have been the recipient of a number of awards and scholarships.

My artwork often involves ideas of family, memory, relationships, connection, and interdependency.




View full series HERE



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View full series HERE


(All photos by Cailey Buye)