Glassblowing

PETR NOVOTNY & ROB STERN | Intermediate to Advanced

Freeing the Natural Glass
This class will cover blown shapes and forms combined with both bitwork and solid working techniques to discover one's natural voice with the glass. That is to say, students will be encouraged to use a variety of hot/cold working possibilities to explore and realize their own unique designs. Focus of the instruction will range from concept drawings through the hot glass to the finished object with an emphasis on exploiting the intrinsic characteristics of the glass. Each day will include a hot glass demonstration covering a diverse range of possibilities. Students should be prepared to approach the class not only with what they know but with a willingness to try new things that will cultivate a broader range of experience and help achieve a more confident level of personal aesthetic.

Petr Novotny & Rob Stern

Petr Novotny was born in Ústí nad Orlicí in 1952. He studied glass manufacturing and a glass technology at Apprentice Glass Centre in Novy Bor and later on he continued to study at Secondary Industrial School in Novy Bor. He also taught blowing and hand-forming glass at Apprentice Glass Centre in Novy Bor. In 1983 he was awarded a Master of glass fine arts and crafts. As one of the first in the former Czecholovakia, he started his own studio for manufacturing replicas of ancient glass. He works for many world leading artists and designers, including: Renè Roubicek, Dale Chihuly, Marvin Lipofsky, Edward Leibovitz, Willem Heesen and others. He is attending world significant glass conferences and symposiums. He is regularly teaching at summer glass sessions and workshops at The Glass Furnace Turkey and Pilchuck Glass School in the USA. At present he is together with Libor Fafala co-owning and heading Ajeto Glassworks, Lindava in Czech Republic. www.ajeto.com


Petr Novotny - Please click to enlarge

Rob Stern began studying glass at San Francisco State University, CA, in 1988. In 1989 he went on a study abroad program researching European glass facilities. Upon his return, he began attending the Pilchuck Glass School, where he had the opportunity to work with many glass artists and masters including Robert Carlson, Therman Statom, and Petr Novotny, among others. He apprenticed under John Lewis Glass Casting in Oakland, CA for five years. He then lived and worked in the Czech Republic in the studios and factory of Petr Novotny. Rob has participated and held many workshops as well as co-taught at Pilchuck, the Penland School and Frauenau Germany. Most recently he has held a teaching position at the University of Miami Glass Program where he completed his MFA in sculpture and glass. He now owns and operates his private studio in Miami. His works has been collected in both Europe and United States. www.robsternartglass.com

Rob Stern - Please click to enlarge

* An additional US$20 registration fee is charged during application

** The amount of deposit to be paid is US$320