Pam teaches glass

pamela-tankard-with-two-deloraine-high-students

JANUARY 2017 | Marguerite McNeill

DELORAINE HIGH School student Felicity Honner enjoys working with fragments of coloured glass to create something special.

The thirteen year old, who said the activity was “pretty good,” has become so adept at the craft that a piece of her glassware won a first prize award at this year’s Deloraine Show.

The simply fashioned vase with beautifully coordinated colours was created during art classes under the guidance of glass artist Pamela Tankard of Deloraine. Felicity is one of about 80 students to practise glasswork as part of their art program during the year.

Deloraine High art teacher Maria Lietzau said that the students were very lucky to experience glasswork, as very few schools would have such an opportunity. She said that it was a great addition to the whole art program.

A volunteer at the school for the past few years, Ms Tankard works mainly with grade 7 students and enjoys the chance of working with the young people to share her love of creating with glass.

As well as using her own kiln to fire the glassware, she manages the school’s larger kiln to fire ceramic works made by the students.

Delighted with the success of the classes, the 76-year-old is also feeling pretty chuffed about her own achievement of completing a Diploma of Visual Arts at Devonport TAFE. She is now looking forward to her first solo exhibition that opens in Deloraine this month.

The exhibition entitled ‘Essence of Life’ features contemporary porcelain vessels and pâte de verre leaves. The designs are inspired by the local environment, including the plateau and the Great Western Tiers.

The exhibition at Deloraine Creative Studios in Emu Bay Road, Deloraine will be on show from 2nd to 30th January 2017.

The official opening by winner of the 2014 Fine Porcelain Design Award Belinda Winkler will be on Friday 13th January 2017 at 6.00pm.

Photo | Mike Moores