Swansea School of Glass

Architectural & Stained Glass Arts Swansea Metropolitan

Architectural & Stained

Glass Arts SWANSEA SCHOOL OF GLASS YSGOL GWYDR ABERTAWE

Specialists in Architectural Glass since 1935

STUDYING GLASS Swansea School of Glass is a unique international centre for working with glass. The School has an established reputation in teaching and researching the creative use of glass in both interior and exterior architectural contexts. For almost 80 years the School has nurtured a culture of excellence, exploration and collaboration that inspires our students to produce ground-breaking and award-winning work.

Our justifiable international reputation for excellence in glass is based upon our strong tradition of nurturing original thinking and excellent craftsmanship. All the lecturers and support staff are practicing glass artists and makers. Our studios and workshops have a unique range of equipment that will fire your imagination and enable you to develop your talents to the full.

The exceptional combination of excellent facilities and internationally renowned staff provides an environment that encourages creativity and technical excellence in promoting those professional qualities designed to enhance your career prospects.

Architectural Glass has a long history and a bright future. Graduates of our BA course are amongst the most sought after in the business.

The course study experience offers a blend of academic challenge and commercial reality to encourage your independent creativity.

“I found the glass course by a lucky coincidence, and I have never looked back. The combination of craft and art suited me perfectly. The glass department is full of enthusiastic and skilled people who made my 3 years in Swansea highly enjoyable and inspiring. Through my educational experience and after graduation I have gained placements within restoration studios, which has enabled me to explore other aspects of the subject. Stained glass has become a true passion for me which I wouldn’t have found if not for the course at Swansea.”

Elisabeth Voss Sinnerud, (Norway)

Postgraduate Studies

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BA(Hons) Architectural Glass

* BA Ord Degree excludes the Critical Review * Part-Time BA programme is spread over six academic years

THE FUTURE The next few years will see the dawn of a new era in the long history of Swansea’s illustrious School of Glass.

In 2014 the University will complete the total renovation of the iconic former Central Library and Art College in the city’s Arts Quarter. ALEX (Alexandra Road Design Exchange) is a £10m project that will see the creation of new studios and workshop spaces for the Glass courses along with a dedicated gallery for the School’s historic glass archive.

Dr Ian Walsh Head of School

‘Alexandra Road Design Exchange – Opening 2014

GLASS BA(Hons) Over the years the School has built on its traditional stained glass heritage and although it is still an important part of the curriculum it is only one of the many aspects of decorative processes the programme covers.

The BA(Hons) Glass course is designed to give the student a broad understanding of both traditional and contemporary glass techniques together with the principles of design for the medium of glass. The programme aims, by intellectual stimulation, practical application and the encouragement of applying creativity, to develop an individual who will have the knowledge, practical abilities and originality to undertake innovative glass making and design.

BA(Hons) Glass Programme Director: Lisa Burkl glass@smu.ac.uk

Traditional studio and workshop skills are taught alongside newer techniques such as the use of new adhesive technologies, heat fusion and computer aided manufacture. There are employment demands for traditional skills in architectural glass and profound intellectual benefits in mastery of this material, its historical and cultural influence and the development of practical skills.

The course places a strong emphasis on drawing and the creation of full-size ‘cartoons’ as shown in the image above. Students are encouraged to gain knowledge and professional experience through a range of ‘live’ projects in collaboration with our Architectural Glass Centre and outside professional bodies.

Upon completion of the programme you will be able to work as an individual designer/ maker with the ability to work undertaking restoration and contemporary projects either independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team for the development and manufacture of site-specific commissions in architecture. Moreover, you will be prepared for small batch production, community arts projects and interior glass installations. The School encourages graduate enterprise through engagement with the Centre for Creative Entrepreneurship.

Employability Possible career pathways include: • Establishing yourself as an artist, designer or maker.

• Setting-up a studio as a sole supplier or in a partnership with others • Employed in specialist glass studios.

• Engaging in freelance work on architectural and interiors projects.

• Designing for industry or working in the glass industry.

• Working on private and public commissions.

• Working on art projects, community projects.

• Other opportunities include arts administration, curation, teaching and mentoring, community work and arts editorial.

• Graduates may naturally be involved in a broad range of these opportunities.

You may continue your studies to postgraduate level on our MA Glass programme.

Further academic research leading to MPhil or PhD is available.

MA GLASS The MA Glass programme seeks to develop practice that is concerned with re-evaluating architectural glass traditions, conventions and methodology. It is this rigorous re-interpretation process; both physical and psychological that will inevitably define the parameters of the individual student’s personal study.

MA Glass Programme Director: Dr. Vanessa Cutler glass@smu.ac.uk

Part one

Credits

Research Methods

20

Applied Decorative Glass

20

Decorative Glass Technologies

20

Contemporary Issues in Design

20

Glass, Light & Space

20

Glass in the Built Environment

20

Part two Major Project

60

The Masters’ programme is divided into two parts: the structure of Part One consists of two practice-based modules, each underpinned by theoretical modules that allow the students to explore and experiment within their area of study reflecting the supporting module philosophy. Part Two consists of a studentdirected Major Project, and, together with an integrated report forms the final submission for the programme. The execution of this project is a process of negotiation between student and project director with the project outcome demonstrating innovation in some, or all, aspects of its design, function or means of manufacture. An option to submit a written dissertation in lieu of a Major Project is available.

Full-time students study over a period of one calendar year.

Part-time students study the same subjects but over two years.

Glass offers some remarkable properties, not least transparency and durability. These have been exploited in the architectural context for thousands of years. In recent years huge advances have been made in the application of technology to glass practice. The possibilities for creative practice in glass have never been more exciting.

This MA is structured to provide the opportunity to explore, analyse and evaluate these possibilities. The programme integrates practical studio and workshop skills with theoretical knowledge developing new skills and approaches to working in glass.

The MA Glass programme aims to develop those critical and reflective faculties to empower the student to engage in a more proactive, educated dialogue with architects, industry, designers, artists and scientists working in glass.

All applicants are invited for interview with portfolio.

HNC GLASS The HNC Glass course places a strong emphasis on the acquisition of specific skills and knowledge for the design and production of architectural glass panels.

The course covers modules on: — Decorative Glass Processes — Stained Glass Processes — Design Practice — Warm Glass — Student-Centred Project

HNC Glass Programme Director: Lisa Burkl glass@smu.ac.uk

This programme is targeted at meeting the demand within the Swansea Bay area to study stained glass on a part-time basis. The programme has been structured to provide students with a strong and challenging qualification and a means of widening participation in higher education. This programme offers exciting opportunities for a wide range of individuals to enter the world of glass. You may be a mature student seeking a way into higher education, possibly for the first time or

looking to re-start your academic studies following a break for family or career reasons. You may already work in the glass industry as a glazier, fitter or joiner looking to up-skill or expand your business; or you may simply be seeking to branch out into a new area of art practice. Whatever your reason you will find a warm welcome in the School.

For details of how and when to enrol contact the programme director on 01792 481 000 or e-mail glass@smu.ac.uk

RESEARCH & POSTGRADUATE ACTIVITIES The School is passionate about research and sees the ongoing development of new and creative uses for glass as vital for the future development of the discipline. As well as researching innovative ways of working with glass the School undertakes research into the historical and cultural developments in glass. This is aided by having ownership of an extensive archive of glass panels and cartoons dating back to the 19th century.

Research Contact Dr Vanessa Cutler glass@smu.ac.uk

Research and live commissions form an integral part of the life of the School. Staff continue to develop their own design practice through undertaking commissions, consultancy, exhibition work and publishing their work on the international stage.

Dr Vanessa Cutler is driving national research into the use of water-jet cutting in glass. Dr Cutler is recognised internationally for her work in integrating industrial technologies with traditional glass practice. Lisa Burkl specialises in the exploration of intimacy and emotion in decorative glass and has exhibited widely.

Rachel Phillips works within the area of ecclesiastical and public commissions, specialising in glass painting and related techniques.

Former Head of School Rodney Bender continues to support the School’s research activities as a Research Fellow. Chris Ryan is an established glass artist/maker with a national reputation for large scale architectural glass commissions.

Design: Dr Vanessa Cutler Image: Simon Bruntnell

EXTERNAL LINKS & SUCCESS

Architectural Glass Centre Manager: Alun Adams alun.adams@smu.ac.uk

The School has extensive external links and has exploited these to support the student learning experience. Live projects form an integral part of the study experience.

“Before I started the course in Swansea I thought I knew what glass was about, how it could be used, etc...... then once I came to Swansea my eyes were opened wide with the possibilities that glass brought when used effectively within a building. Not only that, but the course has opened up so many possibilities for career paths for me – from doing workshops with children, to working in the community, to making beautiful pieces of glass art for commission. My journey started in Swansea, but is continuing to expand with every new day.”

The Architectural Glass Centre is a commercial studio based within the School giving students the opportunity to design and work on live commissions.

The Centre also runs a programme of master-classes and workshops which run during the vacation periods.

These normally run over three days and are delivered by experts internationally renowned in their respective fields. Information on master-classes and workshops or commercial projects can be obtained by contacting the Centre.

Helen Scarrett, (UK)

Design: Deanne Mangold Image: Sosban restaurant lighting scheme

Established in 1828, the University of Wales: Trinity Saint David is the oldest Royal Chartered university in the UK after Oxford and Cambridge. The University has campuses in Lampeter, Carmarthen, London and now Swansea Metropolitan.

Swansea School of Glass Swansea Metropolitan University of Wales: Trinity Saint David Alexandra Road Swansea SA1 5DU

Ysgol Gwydr Abertawe Metropolitan Abertawe Prifysgol Cymru: Y Drindod Dewi Sant Heol Alexandra Abertawe SA1 5DU

Tel: 01792 481179 / 481117 Email: glass@smu.ac.uk Web: www.smu.ac.uk

Ff么n: 01792 481179 / 481117 Ebost: glass@smu.ac.uk Web: www.smu.ac.uk