24 Sep 2018
A Glass First for Australasia.
For the first time, the New Zealand and Australian glass communities have teamed up to present the inaugural Art Glass conference titled The CoLab. This international event will bring together international glass artists and educators to present lectures, perform demonstrations, convene panel discussions and to teach masterclasses in Whanganui, New Zealand and beyond. Attendees will be spoiled with various glass exhibitions and interactive public activities augmenting this special event being held February 15 to 17, 2019.
Together the New Zealand Society of Artists in Glass Committee (NZSAG) and The Australian Association of Glass Artists Board (Ausglass), have planned a dynamic three-day conference with exhibitions, workshops and public satellite events in both countries. The CoLab is an excellent way to bring both communities together for both professional development and networking opportunities.
“Our members are already beginning to think outside the norm, and are utilising the opportunities to work with artists from across the Tasman,” said Kate Nixon, Ausglass President.
Events and exhibitions will be staged in Whanganui’s premier venues and facilities, including the War Memorial Centre, The Sarjeant Gallery and New Zealand Glassworks.
Exhibitions will include a combined Member’s Exhibition at the Sarjeant object gallery and a curated art glass exhibition in Sarjeant’s main Gallery. The main gallery will feature The Colab Chandelier project and other selected works, with artists’ talks scheduled and open for all to enjoy. Additional public events will activate Castlecliff beach, where The Colab will be facilitating the making and operation of a Roman style beach furnace fired by drift wood. To complement the beach furnace activity, a traditional Dig In is also planned; where 100 art glass objects will be literally up for grabs in the black sand.
Events in Whanganui City, Auckland, Canberra and Adelaide before, during and after the conference have been designed to encompass community involvement, outreach and education.
NZSAG and Ausglass would like to acknowledge and thank Creative New Zealand and the Australia Council for the Arts respectively. The CoLab organisers are also very grateful for the generosity and support of our local sponsors; Whanganui and Partners, The Sarjeant Gallery, New Zealand Glassworks and Whanganui District Council.
Media contacts
Carmen Simmonds (NZSAG President) / Kate Nixon (Ausglass President)
Phone: +64 21 532 959 / +61 438884106
Email: president@nzsag.co.nz / president@ausglass.org.au
Further information
CoLab Conference website
Media Kit
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