Vertical Gallery open call application.
The experience of applying for the vertical gallery has been very useful in terms of getting used to application processes. It was designed to reflect industry, starting with an open call, then a long list, then a presentation, then a shortlist, all of which I was successful in. This structure allowed me to understand what it might be like when I leave university and apply for various opportunities.
Second stage of application process - presentation.
For my Vertical Gallery application, I pitched that I could upscale the pink and red stack that I made for synthesis and resolution. I saw this as a great opportunity to make bigger gallery work that wouldn't be able to afford to on my own and make something that I can exhibit after I have graduated. I found having to do a presentation quite daunting, but I feel that this experience added to the professionalisation of my practice hugely because I was forced to explain my practice and pitch an idea to a panel who had never seen my work before.
In order to stay on track with my workload, I knew I needed to find somewhere to make my vertical gallery pieces over the easter break. I contacted the owners of Merseyway Workshop - a community workshop space and asked if I could use their space as a temporary workshop. As with my visit to Lumsdale Glass, meeting these people opens up more possibilities for when I leave university and have to find my own workshop space.
Collaboration with Lumsdale Glass.
In order to upscale without comprising the quality of the piece, I decided that I would contact a local (ish) glassblower that could blow the bubble for me. I made contact with Jonathan from Lumsdale Glass and he invited me to join him in his workshop to direct him on the making of the bubble. This was invaluable in terms of professionalising my practice because finding glass facilities to use after I leave university has been a big worry for me, so getting this commission off him was partly a networking exercise which has paid off because we have already been speaking about the potential of work there over summer.
