Educators
Glass is a beautiful and versatile medium, but working with the unique properties of glass requires training, precision, and constant attention while working with high heat. There are many incredible glass teachers throughout New Zealand who can guide you through the process of beginning your glass journey. Below are the details of five prominent New Zealand glass artists whose teachings we are familiar with and therefore can highly recommend. Please contact them directly for information on their workshops.
Evelyn Dunstan
Weekly classes to coincide with school terms, or short workshop and individual tutoring by arrangement, if you have a specific project or part of the casting process you wish to learn more about and develop further. Studio is in a barn alongside a native conservation lot and farm, near Pukekohe, Auckland. Unlimited inspiration with animals and farm life and are welcome to explore the bush and waterfalls. A variety of accommodation available to overseas travelers or 2 day intensives.
Carmen Simmonds
Carmen is a professional artist, tutor and mentor, working from her rural studio in Whanganui, New Zealand. Her glasswork predominantly employs the lost wax casting technique and she is widely known for her sculptural dress forms and mixed media designs. Carmen’s glasswork is collected and exhibited throughout New Zealand and internationally.
Since completing her Master of Art and Design in 2013, Carmen has been developing her teaching resume. This includes beginning her new creative company, Re-storyz, and introducing online glass making kits and studio classes that can be taught anywhere in New Zealand.
Sofia Athineou
Sofia has been teaching the glass casting technique since 2019, gaining recognition as a highly respected instructor. Her exceptional ability to clearly communicate complex concepts has made her a beloved mentor among her students.
She currently teaches at the Glow Room of the Corban Estate Arts Centre in Tamaki Makaurau, a newly designed studio dedicated to glass casting. At the Glow Room, students can participate in both beginner and advanced classes, with additional opportunities for more advanced students to work closely with Sofia on independent projects.
Susan Louie
Susan teaches out of her studio in Greenlane, Auckland, a small intimate studio.
Workshops are held every Saturday from 10am till 4pm with an option of a half day after the firing of casts. Dates are flexible according to availability of any Saturday or weekday and is able to teach one-on-one as well as small groups of 3 to 4 participants in her small studio.
On offer presently is a Guided development programme consisting of 16 hours of workshop development where participants are able to create a body of work of individual casts with assistance and guidance. These can be held at a suitable time and date for each registrant.
Lou Mathieson
I’ve been working with glass for twenty plus years and teaching casting in Auckland for the last 15 years. I’m going to be teaching workshop’s in my new studio in Napier starting July 2025. I really enjoy the energetic vibe that goes with teaching.
I use wax carving and casting techniques to make glass vessels / sculptures. This work is inspired by my garden on Bluff Hill in Napier, and features motifs of flowers and sometimes birds and butterflies that are always venturing into my garden. It is my peaceful haven where I can just enjoy nature and be inspired.
Kelda Morris
Dirt Child Design studio offers unique one day workshops in Wellington to introduce students to the fundamentals of open faced glass casting.
All materials provided
- Small class sizes
- Suitable for complete beginners through to intermediate students
Students leave a fun and relaxed day with a sound understanding of clay skills and hand building moulds, in addition to a foundational knowledge of the material and history of glass.
Introduction to Glass Casting is the perfect first step for anyone curious about casting glass, and is suitable for anyone who needs an injection of fun and creativity into their day.