Stuart Akroyd

Stuart Akroyd is an award-winning studio glass designer-maker based in the UK. He creates forms in vibrant colours and organic shapes. Instantly identifiable his work possesses a sense of movement and grace within the solid form.

Stuart’s designs begin with inspiration from the world around him, after sketching out the initial ideas the next stage is experimenting with the hot glass and making 3D forms. These glass prototypes are then further refined to produce the final piece.

Stuart’s sculptural pieces titled ‘Intention’ are a perfect example of this; a solid stretched form encasing vibrant colours and presented on a steel stand.

These one-off pieces were inspired by the Skylon structure which became the symbol of the 1951 Festival of Britain (the celebration of British design during a period of post war hope and austerity, which was an incredibly creative time). Stuart wanted to reflect this in his new pieces. The form is made using Swedish techniques with his personal adaptations. The central jewel like core is cut open to expose this multitude of technical detail.

Stuart has been making glass for over 30 years. His glassmaking career began in the North East of England learning the basics on the BA(hons) course at Sunderland University, followed by a Post Graduate Diploma at the International Glass Centre, Brierley Hill. A stint as head maker at an established glass makers lead to starting his own business in 1991.

As an established business and a recognised figure in the UK glass community, Stuart wanted to expand his business, to make larger sculptural pieces and have independence from hiring hot facilities. This coincided with a move to Nottingham where a much larger studio gave him the opportunity to be more radical in his design.

Stuart has always involved himself with the wider world of craft and as a Fellow member of Design Factory he has been able to continue his professional development, as well as his creative one. Stuart is regularly involved in selection panels, mentoring and group exhibiting.

Stuart continues to pursue new International markets and was selected to exhibit with the Crafts Council at Design Days Dubai in 2016 and 2017. He is a member of the Crafts Council Directory of Makers and the Contemporary Glass Society.

Professional Training / history
2018-Present Design Ambassador, Design Nation
2000-Present Stuart Akroyd Contemporary Glass,Nottingham. Moved to expand and develop new working techniques
2016 Speaker, Crafts Council, Talent Development
2013 Mentor, Design Factory
2010-present Occasional Selection panel member, Design Factory / Design Nation
2009-2012 Speaker and mentor, Nottingham Trent University
1991-2000 Stuart Akroyd Glass Designs, Sunderland. Started own business.
1996-2000 Non-executive Director, Arts Resource, Sunderland
1991-1999 Visiting Lecturer, Sunderland University.
1989-1991 Designer and Head Glassmaker, Lakeland Crystal, Cumbria
1988-1989 International Glass Centre, postgraduate training, Brierley Hill, West Midlands
1985-1988 B.A. (Hons), 3D Design, Glass with Ceramics, Sunderland University
1966 Born, Mirfield, Yorkshire

Selected Exhibitions in the last 10 years
2018 Galerie Rosenhauer, Germany
2018 Art of Glass, National Centre for Craft and Design, Sleaford
2018 Gifted, National Glass Centre, Sunderland
2017 Design Days, Dubai
2017 Plateaux gallery, London
2017 Eclats de Verre en Bresle, France
2016 British Craft Pavilion, London Design Fair
2016 Maison et Objet, Paris, France
2013 Craft Conversation, New York
2012 British Glass Biennale, West Midlands
2012 Made in the Middle, Touring exhibition, Midlands
2008 British Glass Biennale, West Midlands

Awards
2015 Design Factory, Membership Award, Winner
2015 Design Factory, International Excellence Award, Winner
2014 East-West Art Award Competition, London, Contemporary II, Runner up
2012 BCTF Award for Excellence, Winner
1999 In top 100 glass of the year, Neues Glas / New Glass Review, Corning Museum

Work in public places
Wall clock Ask Here Desk, Mary Potter Health Centre, Hyson Green, Nottingham,

Work in private and public collections
Cirfunkerance Bowl Bilston Craft Gallery, Mount Pleasant, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV14 7LU
Wall sculpture Ragdale Hall Spa, Ragdale Village, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE14 3PB