Glassblowing | Beginners

Anu Penttinen

This workshop for beginners and students with some experience in hot glass will concentrate on the handblown vessel as an artistic medium. The use of colour applications and bitwork as well as basic techniques for efficient working with hot glass as a team are some key elements. Different techniques for vesselmaking such as graal, incalmo, and colour overlay are demonstrated. If time and facilities permit, the students are also encouraged to explore possibilities of different coldworking techniques for decorative purposes. Each student's individual designs will be viewed through group discussions and research as a part of the design process is emphasized.

Click to enlarge the image

Anu Penttinen

Anu Penttinen began her glass studies at the University of Art and Design Helsinki (UIAH), Finland in 1996, holding a BA Honours Degree from the Australian National University (Canberra School of Art, Glass Workshop, 2000) and an MA from UIAH (Department of Glass and Ceramic Design, 2002). She has also studied in the Glass Department of University of Sunderland, Great Britain. Soon after completing her MA Degree, Anu started her own business in Helsinki, concentrating on designing and producing glass objects by blowing and kilnforming for the Finnish as well as international market. Apart from being an independent glassmaker, Anu works with the industry on free-lance basis. Current projects include a design project with Iittala Group, Finland. In 2005 Anu moved her studio from Helsinki to Nuutajärvi, a small Glass Village about 2 hours from the Finnish capital city. Here Anu has been an active member of the glass community, founding a glass cooperative and working facilities with 11 other glass artists and more recently acting as the chairman of a newly founded gallery cooperative. Inspiration for her glassworks, whether one-offs or serial production, Anu finds in urban surroundings. Her works are strong and graphic in colour and pattern, and have strongly been influenced by the indigenous arts and crafts of the Australian Aborigines during her two years 'downunder'. http://www.nounoudesign.fi/