Glass wings and Concorde.
A Fused Glass Adventure: Exhibition Night at Prior Gallery
This past Friday, I embarked on a whirlwind adventure to Bristol, all for a very special occasion: the chance to see my fused glass artwork displayed in a real gallery! The road to get there, however, was filled with its own set of twists and turns.
Due to my dialysis schedule, I had to rearrange everything and opt for a morning session. This meant a 5 am wake-up call and a dash of panic when the scheduled hospital transport didn't arrive. A quick call later, and the taxi was on its way, thankfully. After the dialysis session, a quick lunch, a goodbye to my furry friend William the pug, and a flurry of packing later, I was finally on the road to Bristol – a 200-mile journey that awaited.
Luckily, traffic cooperated with only minor delays, and we arrived at the hotel around 5 pm. The room was a delightful surprise, boasting two massive and undeniably bouncy double beds (yes, I confess, I couldn't resist a quick bounce test!).
After a quick freshening up, it was time for the main event! The Prior Gallery was just a few streets away, although navigating proved a bit of a challenge - map reading skills are not exactly my forte!
Finally arriving at the gallery, a sense of surrealism washed over me. My artwork, displayed alongside other pieces, looked so professional! Even more surreal was the artist badge with my name on it. It was truly wonderful to meet my fellow artists, most of whom I had only "met" through an online course. Seeing their work displayed in person was awe-inspiring, a showcase of incredible talent. The sheer variety of styles and techniques sparked a fire of inspiration within me, and I couldn't wait to get back to my own kiln!
The event was organized by Catherine Dunstan, my amazing teacher and mentor. Her guidance has given me the confidence to participate in exhibitions and explore new artistic avenues. If you're venturing into the world of glass fusing, I highly recommend checking out her work – it's absolutely stunning! And also her lessons.
My art work, fused glass wings and a mesh melt on a grey marble base.
Exhaustion from the early morning wake-up finally started to catch up with me after an hour at the show. We said our goodbyes and took a leisurely stroll back to the hotel, where a delicious dinner awaited us. The friendly waiter further enhanced the experience. With a full stomach and a contented heart, I sank into the luxurious comfort of the bouncy mattress, drifting off to sleep almost instantly.
Saturday was a day for relaxation and indulgence. A leisurely breakfast at 9 am (after a hefty £35!), featuring an "all you can eat" feast, fueled our energy for the rest of the day. Since we were in Bristol, we couldn't miss the opportunity to explore. The Aerospace Museum stole the show, boasting a stunning collection of old and new aircraft, helicopters, and interactive exhibits. The undisputed star of the museum was Concorde – a truly magnificent aircraft. We had the chance to peek into the cockpit, filled with bewildering equipment, before walking down the surprisingly narrow passenger aisle.
The entire weekend was an unforgettable adventure, filled with excitement, inspiration, and a taste of the art world. It has only fueled my passion for fused glass art, and I eagerly anticipate participating in future exhibitions.