Teaching… one of the most rewarding things I have done. First, because it means that you have somehow mastered something worthy of passing on. Then, because it also means you understand your subject well enough to be able to explain it to the student from many different angles, which resonate with them. That feeling alone is exhilarating.
Last year, we had the chance to teach a blowing workshop at the Centre Européen de Recherche et de Formation aux Arts Verriers (CERFAV) in Vannes Le Chatel, France. We taught cane pulling and blowing to a very highly motivated group of student who achieved wonderful progress in the little time we had with them. We have exchanged with a community, which we are still in contact with, met old friends and had a wonderful time all over.
This year, we will be going to Alberta College of Art and Design (ACAD) to give two different workshops. Patrick will be teaching blowing and I will be teaching casting. I hope our time over there will benefit the students and that we will make contact that will last in the years to come. We will also meet old friends, which is always a pleasure.
The other thing teaching allows is to see so many facilities, how schools are set up, what is great about them and what we could only dream of. The CERFAV has a wonderful FABLAB which is furnished with everything that a glassmaker could ever dream of in terms of machines to facilitate the work. I am sure that ACAD has some treasures that will make us drool. Then, we bring the information back home and share it with the local community. It is an enriching experience for everybody.
I can’t wait to meet you…
Public Lecture at ACAD: March 14, 6pm
