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Bath Aqua Glass Fifth Anniversary
The Bristol Guild is celebrating the fifth anniversary of Bath Aqua Glass.
The mouth blown glass on show is strikingly beautiful, and everyone loves to hear about old Westcountry crafts which are thriving, but behind the
scenes is an even more intriguing story of local talent. |
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Some of the Bath Aqua Glass on show is the work of a talented young glass blower called James Devreux (pictured above).
He's just the sort of person whose work the Bristol Guild was set up to champion. The shop's full name is the Bristol Guild of Applied Art. It was established
as a trade guild for local artists and craftsmen in 1908 and its original raison d'être is alive and well with the shop showcasing the best of the West's
creative talent.
The Guild's Director, Ken Stradling, is a trustee and staunch supporter of the Bristol-based charity, the Gane Trust, which has helped many Westcountry
craftspeople develop their talent – one of whom is the young James Devreux.
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The Gane Trust was set up by prominent Bristol furniture manufacturer, Crofton Gane,
in 1954 to support the training of Westcountry craftspeople. His family business had links with the Bauhaus architect
Walter Gropius and other prominent designers and architects, who he employed to design his furniture. Modern day Bristol
furniture maker, Jeremy Cornwell (pictured right), is a trustee of the Gane Trust and Creative Adviser to the Guild.
He was also instrumental in identifying candidates for sponsorship such as James. |
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| James' potential was spotted while he was helping out at Bath Aqua Glass during weekends and holidays
while studying Art and Design full time at college. The Gane Trust funded the manufacture of his highly specialised glass blowing tools
and research trips during his five years of study, throughout which he worked every weekend and holiday at Bath Aqua Glass. Even when he
moved to Wolverhampton University, he commuted each weekend to work in Bath. |
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21 year-old James has now graduated and accepted a full time position as a glass blower not at Bath
Aqua Glass, but at its highly prestigious sister company, Bristol Blue Glass.
He commutes daily to work in Brislington from his home in Trowbridge. Curiously, his work from both glass studios is currently
on sale at the Bristol Guild's china and glass department.
James is a rare breed in that he is a talented artist who also has a thorough understanding of the glass blowing production process.
In his spare time he uses the Bristol Blue Glass studio to create his own glass sculpture and hopes to open his first exhibition in
Bristol soon. |
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For more information on Bath Aqua or Bristol Blue Glass, please contact us either by
email at info@bristolguild.co.uk or by phone: 0117 926 5548 |
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