News > Flogas sponsor New Exhibition to Showcase Latest Irish Glass Design
Iconic Irish Craftmaker 'Reflects' on 30 years
Flogas sponsor New Exhibition to Showcase Latest Irish Glass Design
Iconic Irish glassmaker, Jerpoint Glass Studio, is celebrating its 30th anniversary with an exhibition which, for the first time, showcases Irish glass design from established and exciting new glass artists.
Jerpoint Glass has handpicked 20 glassmakers and glass artists from across Ireland, north and south, for the exhibition titled 'Visions in Glass – Celebrating 30 Years of Jerpoint Glass'. Exhibitors include stained glass artist, Peadar Lamb; architectural glass artist, Michelle O' Donnell who will adorn the exterior of Jerpoint Glass with her unique flower petal designs; and Róisín de Buitléar's blown sculptures and outdoor installations.
Showing a wide variety of glass mediums, the exhibition will feature architectural glass, stained glass, wall hangings and large-scale glass installation pieces. Glassblowing demonstrations will also run throughout the exhibition.
Founded by master glassblower Keith Leadbetter in 1979, Jerpoint Glass has today achieved international acclaim. As in demand for its functional tableware as for its bespoke designs, Jerpoint Glass has featured on Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix and a number of high-profile RTE shows, including Saturday Night with Miriam.
A real family affair, Keith's wife Kathleen, a self-taught artist, will be exhibiting her unique fused glass wall pieces. Keith's daughter and artist Roisin Leadbetter will unveil her evocative piece of images of a baby's nine months development in the womb etched on glass. Roisin's brother, Rory, will present glassblowing demonstrations and their sister, Sally, organised the exhibition.
"As a family we wanted to mark our 30th anniversary with a special exhibition, a showcase of Irish glass design at its very best. The event is personally very exciting for us, recognising the creativity of Irish glass artists while celebrating this special anniversary with our peers", says Sally Leadbetter of Jerpoint Glass Studio.
'Visions in Glass – Celebrating 30 Years of Jerpoint Glass' was officially launched by filmmaker and author, David Shaw-Smith, who produced RTE's acclaimed 'Hands' series on traditional crafts.
Coinciding with Kilkenny Arts Week 2009, 'Visions in Glass – Celebrating 30 Years of Jerpoint Glass' sponsored by Flogas is a free exhibition running from August 1st to September 6th at Jerpoint Glass Studio's Glass Attic Gallery, Stoneyford, Co. Kilkenny. "Visions In Glass – Celebrating 30 Years of Jerpoint Glass" is kindly sponsored by Flogas. See www.jerpointglass.com.
