Skytree Smith
Glass Artist
“Molten glass has a mind of its own. It knows exactly what it wants to do -–fall to the ground! It has a very focused determination for that. If I can control that, then glass becomes the most versatile and unique medium I’ve ever worked with. I love being in the hot shop; it’s where I feel the most at peace and I can be mesmerized by the glow and growl of the glory hole. To start with something as basic as molten glass, unruly as it can be, and finish with a beautiful form or vessel still inspires awe. It’s ironic that for me, the finished product is often a tactile experience, but while forming that product my hands never actually touch it.”
Skytree is a licensed funeral director who is passionate about both caring for the deceased and blowing glass, so it is natural for her to combine the two. She believes that “everyone is beautiful when they are alive; there is no reason why they cannot be beautiful after death too”. The main focus of her work is incorporating cremated remains into glass designs where they are seen, and not hidden away.
Teaching
Workshops are offered at the glass studio through private instruction, with sessions available for individuals, pairs, families, or small groups. Designed for beginners as well as those with some experience, these hands-on workshops are personalized rather than combined with other participants, allowing each booking to have a focused and comfortable learning environment. Most kiln-formed glass workshops centre around creating a small bowl, with group sizes typically capped at four people. Bead making workshops are also available on a more limited basis and introduce participants to flameworking, where glass beads are created at the torch. Workshops are intended for adults, with participants aged 16 and older welcome without a parent present.
