During a recent visit to Bullseye's Contemprorary Kiln-Glass Exhibit in Houston I had the opportunity to see work by April Surgent, an American glass artist whose unique approach – and powerful voice – bring cameo glass firmly into the 21st century.
From the Bullseye Gallery website:
Surgent began glassblowing lessons at 14 and, during her junior year of high school, was an exchange student in Bornholm, Denmark. She studied glass production there and then earned a scholarship at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit. She completed her degree with honors at Australia National University’s School of Art in Canberra where she studied with Jane Bruce, Deb Jones, and Richard Whiteley. In 2003, during her third year at ANU, Surgent received a scholarship to Pilchuck Glass School where she learned cold-working and traditional cameo-engraving techniques from Jiri Harcuba. “[Harcuba] has been one of the most influential people in my life,” notes Surgent. “Had I not taken his class, I would not be engraving glass to the extent that I am today.”
