Stuart Akroyd

Stuart Akroyd gained a B.A. Honours Degree in Three Dimensional Design (Glass) at Sunderland Polytechnic in 1988. At the International Glass Centre, Brierley Hill, in the West Midlands he specialised in glass blowing and cold cutting techniques. This was followed by two years employment as head production maker and designer at a small studio factory in the Lake District.

Stuart returned to Sunderland in 1991 to start his own business whilst also teaching part ­time at the University in the Glass Department. After eight years he moved the business to a new site in Nottingham and expanded to include a new hot workshop, which has allowed Stuart to increase his range of designs and techniques.

Stuart makes several ranges of production glass based on natural forms, and a dislike of symmetry. This theme continues into his one-­off work where hot forms are twisted and stretched, then cold carved and polished creating vessels reminiscent of the flora and fauna of the ocean.

In 1999 the New Glass Magazine selected one of Stuart's one-off forms in their review of the 100 best pieces of glass made in the world that year.

Recent Exhibitions include:

2004:
Cecelia Colman Gallery, London
Tullie House Gallery, Carlisle

2003:
Crew Yard Gallery, Nottinghamshire
Montpellier Gallery, Cheltenham
Shipley Gallery, Gateshead

2002:
Old Bakehouse Gallery, Fishbourne
Montpellier Gallery, Cheltenham
Sauzmare Gallery, Guernsey
Majlis Gallery, Dubai