The company was started in 1995 when Mark was the first recipient of the Scholarship Studio scheme, after graduating from Staffordshire University. He was joined by Emma-Louise Kirkham in 1996 after she graduated from Sunderland University. They went on to set up a new studio at Himley Hall before being headhunted by the Glasmuseum Hoogeveen in the Netherlands to run their studio, which they still do today. Their work can be seen in collections in the UK and the USA, and one of their most notable achievements was a commission to replicate glassware for the film Titanic by 20th Century Fox.
1996/7 Belleglass
Belle Walker has now retired from glass but until recently ran her own studio in the local area. Her studio assistant Rob Marshall, also went on to open his own studio and is still making glass.
Rob Marshall Glass, Stanstead Park Gardens Centre, Rowlands Castle, Hampshire, PO9 2DX, tel: 023924 13122
1997/8 Everglassting Hot Glass Studio
Allister Malcolm and Susan Nixon held a joint scholarship but now work independently. Allister has his own studio at Himley Hall while Susan is based near Cheltenham and also teaches at Wolverhampton University. Susan and Allister both won impressive commissions during their scholarship year, including making the awards for the winners of the Eurovision Song Contest 1999 and winning the Foreign & Commonwealth Office New Designers Award, respectively.
Susan Nixon, Unit 6, The Old Dairy Farm, Rushley Lane, Winchcombe, Cheltenham, GL54 5JD, http://www.susannixon.com/
1999 Loco Glass
Louise Edwards and Colin Hawkins are still business partners and now produce a wide range of glass from their own studio at the Brewery Arts Centre in Cirencester, which is open to the public along with many other craft studios on the site.
LOCO Glass, Studio 2, Brewery Arts, Brewery Court, Cirencester, Gloucestershire GL7 1JH, tel: 0870 6061290, http://www.locoglass.co.uk/
2000 Joye Colbeck
While working at the Studio, Joye developed a new technique that she called 'camaal', being a combination of cameo and graal. The Wasps vase commissioned by the Museum demonstrates this complex technique.
Joye now works from her home in Stafforshire and produces work for sale or by commission.
2001 & 2002 Glass FM
Stephen Foster and Ian Macdonald studied glass design at Birmingham Polytechnic and West Surrey Institute of Art and Design, respectively. They formed Glass FM in 2001 having previously worked for established glass artists and completing the Glass Techniques and Technology course at the International Glass Centre in Brierley Hill. Glass FM were the first scholars to be awarded a second year of residency.
Both glassmakers are still working in the local area and produce work for sale and commission - Stephen is a tutor at the International Glass Centre in Brierley Hill and Ian is a resident glassmaker at the Red House Glass Cone.
Stephen Foster, International Glass Centre, Moor Street, Brierley Hill, West Midlands DY5 3EP, tel: 01384 363067
Ian Macdonald, Red House Glass Cone, High Street, Wordsley, Stourbridge, West Midlands DY8 4AZ, tel: 01384 812750
2003 & 2004 WaldegraveSweet
Samantha Sweet held the scholarship for two years, assisted by her partner Tim Waldegrave. Sam trained at High Wycombe and the Royal College of Art, while Tim studied at the International Glass Centre in Brierley Hill and both have worked with renowned glassmakers. Samantha Sweet and Tim Waldegrave founded their partnership in 2002, as they shared a common goal in wanting to make design-led, quality products. With over ten years of glassmaking experience each, they produced a range of functional designs as well as sculptural pieces, restoration projects and commissions.
WaldegraveSweet exhibited at high profile crafts shows and exhibition such as Chelsea Crafts Fair, New Designers, and Collect at the V&A Museum in London, the New York International Gift Fair and the British Glass Biennale 2004 in Stourbridge. They also completed several commissions such as tableware for Washinton Green and the 2004 National Grid Transco Awards, and were finalists in the prestigious Bombay Sapphire Award 2004. In 2003 they were the recipients of a Crafts Council Development Award. Their work has been featured in various publications and design features in national magazines and newspapers, including Elle Decoration, the Guardian Sunday Supplement and the Independent on Sunday.
Tim is currently taking a break from glassmaking, while Sam is working as a designer for companies such as Dartington Crystal. Her designs can be found in leading galleries and retailers.
2005 Mulika Glass
Hannah Cridford and Jonathan Rogers jointly held the scholarship in 2005. They formed Mulika Glass shortly after graduating from Edinburgh College of Art. Before the residency at the Glass Museum, Mulika had received funding from the National Glass Centre in Sunderland, in the form of studio time. During their time in the Broadfield Hot Glass Studio, Hannah and Jonathan continued to develop their own work, as well as joint ranges under the Mulika Glass label.
Hannah’s work has been exhibited in the British Glass Biennale 2004 in Stourbridge and Talente 2004 in Munich, as well as the London based shows New Designers in 2001 and 2003. Jonathan’s work was also represented in New Designers, 2003, and he has exhibited in the Islington Contemporary Art and Design Show in London, 2004, New Faces 2004 at The Leith Gallery in Edinburgh, and Past and Present at the Strathearn Gallery in Crieff in 2003. Together they have taken Mulika Glass to several high-profile trade shows, including The Great British Craft Fair at Harrowgate, Select in Exeter and Pulse at Earl’s Court in London, as well as exhibiting at Gallery Top in Matlock, Derbyshire.
Jonathan now works in London, while Hannah still works locally.