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Artistic Vision

Creating the most beautiful glass works that I can, has been my personal goal or mantra for my entire life. Make Beautiful Things for Beautiful People.

Growing up in a creative home, I started drawing things in the 5th grade and have not stopped yet. My father was a sculptor, my mother his model. Together they instilled a creative, and supportive environment that has sustained me through a few different artistic endeavours. From painter, to potter, to glass blower, I have always tried to make wonderful, beautiful work.

Now, after over 50 years of blowing glass, I still love the act of creating art from this molten mass of sand with my own breath. Hopefully, breathing life and beauty into each piece.

Robert D. Held

Robert Held

Robert pursued his Master's Degree in Fine Arts at the University of Southern California, Robert was awarded the graduate assistantship. At this time, he won the prestigious "Glen Lukins Award" for new work in ceramics.

Upon graduating, Robert was offered a position as Head of Ceramics at a college being built in Ontario. He accepted the position becoming the youngest department head at the Sheridan College - School of Design.

In 1968, after a visit to the Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina, Robert Held discovered a new love: the art of glassblowing. He returned to Sheridan College inspired and succeeded in launching Canada's first college level hot glass program in 1969. This program allowed many Canadian artists to become skilled in this medium, and crowned Robert Held as the pioneer of art glass in Canada.

Since leaving teaching and Sheridan, Robert has been providing beautiful glass through his studios, first in Calgary with Skookum Art glass, then onto Vancouver where Robert created the largest Hot Glass production studio in Canada. Now in Parksville, he continues to design and create beautiful art glass with his small team of talented glass blowers.

Robert uses techniques that date back as long ago as 2000 B.C. however, his collections range from classic to contemporary. Some works are inspired by the paintings of famous artists such as Monet and Klimt, while others take inspiration from photographers and even interior designers. Our studio prides itself on providing its customers with a large selection of affordable hand-blown gift items, as well as Robert’s individual creations for the serious collector.

 

Selected Exhibitions & Awards

  • Metiers d'Art 2, Canada Cultural Centre, Canadian Embassy, Paris, France, 1976
  • Canadian Gift & Tableware Association Award, CGTA Show, Toronto, Canada, 2003
  • Gold Award for Excellence in Craft, Circle Craft Co-operative of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, 1992
  • Outstanding Achievement in Off-Hand Glassblowing, Alberta Achievement Award, Alberta, Canada, 1984
  • American Art Glass 1982, Barrett Galleries, Toledo, OH, 1982
  • Artisan 78 Travelling Exhibition, Canada Crafts Council, Canada, 1978
  • Gas 6 - Glass Art Society Group Exhibition, Corning Glass Center, Corning, NY, 1976

Artist Statement

Color, Fire, Danger, Dance, Immediacy, Christmas every Day, “If it doesn’t burn you, it can cut you”.

These are a few of the wonders of Glass Blowing that I fell in love with in 1968 and still love today. I design it, make it, finish it and love it. For over 40 years I have been blessed with the joy of creating glass art for everyone.

Noteworthy Custom Glass by Robert

A selection of pieces made by Robert

The Starry Night Collection

Did you know that Vincent Van Gough painted two “Starry Night” paintings? I have always loved both of them and was inspired to create my glass interpretation.

Each Starry Night piece incorporated handmade stars, and a moon, using silver foil to add lustre and texture. The dark background midnight color gives a large canvas to place the stars and moon. This is a limited collection and one worth returning to someday.

Cherry Blossom Collection

Driving along a Vancouver Street covered with Cherry Blossoms, inspired me to design the Cherry Blossom Collection. This is a complex and difficult process to achieve the delicate pinks of the blossoms and the rugged, knurled tree trunk. This has been a very popular limited collection. I still love it.

The Waterford Crystal Collection

Some years ago I was contacted by Waterford Crystal to create a new offering called “Evolution”. The designs were inspired by Tiffany and the Art Nouveau style. The “Peacock” feather designs are a central part of this collection.