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 an idea inspired by forms and patterns that catch his eye, be it in nature or architecture. After sketching the initial designs, he progresses through experimentation with the glass and making a 3D form. These initial prototypes are then further refined to produce the final piece.

Vita

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

Exhibitions in the last 10 years -Selection-

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 for the 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

Bibliography

BATCH: craft, design and product by Andrew Tanner, A&C Black 2010 ISBN 9781408110089