2024 MERZ Stained Glass Course with Residency

2024 MERZ Stained Glass Course with Residency; Sanquhar, Scotland. 1 – 28 April 2024.

I am incredibly grateful to have been selected to partake in the 2024 MERZ Stained Glass Course with Residency in April 2024 in Sanquhar, Scotland.

You can see a more casual and day-to-day view of the residency and for updates on other events and projects by following me on Instagram @amyleesdoherty.

Residency Report: 2024 MERZ Stained Glass Course with Residency

Residency Program:
2024 MERZ Stained Glass Course with Residency
Sanquhar, Scotland
April 1 – 28, 2024

Overview:
I was fortunate to be among the four artists selected for the 2024 MERZ Stained Glass Course with Residency in Sanquhar, Scotland. This unique opportunity immersed us in a comprehensive training program under the expert guidance of Keira McLean. The residency was a blend of learning and collaborative creation, culminating in a commemorative stained glass window of the Sanquhar Brickworks.

Role and Responsibilities:
The residency has two primary focuses. For the artists to complete an intensive training schedule and leave with the confidence and skills to continue their journeys in stained glass after the residency and to complete a collaborative commemorative stained glass window of the Sanquhar Brickworks.

Being mindful of environmental impact and historic preservation, our work utilised a significant amount of reclaimed glass we salvaged from decommissioned windows.

Artistic Experience:
The residency reignited my previous skills in glass work, demonstrating how quickly old techniques can be revived and developed further, introducing me to new methods and applications. Keira McLean’s instruction was exceptional, and the collaborative environment fostered a supportive atmosphere where ideas were freely exchanged. 

We installed the collaborative window we created in the MERZ MoMA gallery, and it is planned for relocation to the Brickworks visitor centre upon the centre’s completion.

In addition to the collaborative window, each artist worked on various personal projects.

Educational and Professional Activities:
Our program included site visits and open studio sessions, during which we had the opportunity to connect with residents and share our work, fostering a sense of community and exchange.

We also Keira's studio in Glasgow, which she and her partner Rich share. There, we spent a day working on our window and making fused glass. They showed us how they run their professional glass studio and business and gave us a tour of the kilns and their current projects. 

Skills Developed:
The residency provided a broad spectrum of stained glass techniques, including glass cutting, hand grinding, salvaging, repairing broken panels, leading, soldering, puttying, polishing, copper foiling, painting, etching, window installation and more.

Achievements and Contributions:
Our collaborative window received a warm reception at its installation in the MERZ MoMA gallery. The opening night was a notable success, with many community members inspired by our projects and workspace expressing a newfound interest in stained glass.

Challenges and Solutions:
Working alongside artists from various mediums presented unique challenges, but it also offered valuable perspectives on problem-solving. The group's kindness and patience facilitated a harmonious working environment, allowing us to navigate these challenges effectively and work together, which led to more enriching exchanges. 

Reflections and Personal Growth:
The residency was a wonderful learning experience, providing technical skills and personal insights. I was particularly struck by the similarities between glasswork and metal enamelling, reinforcing my appreciation for the scraffito technique. The confidence I gained has motivated me to explore glasswork further in my practice upon returning to my home studio.

The bonds formed with fellow artists have extended beyond the residency and professional relationships to enriching personal relationships. The time I appreciated most from the residency was our dinners. 

Outside of the planned residency activities, we began having dinner together. Each weeknight, following long days in the studio, usually lasting 10-12 hours, we gathered for dinner. Every night, we took turns in different roles: cooking, cleaning, setting the table (and everyone’s glasses full), and lighting the fireplace (it was freezing during our stay). During those meals, a slew of ideas, advice and friendship were exchanged.  

Future Plans:
Inspired by the residency, I will integrate more glasswork into my artistic practice. The skills and experiences gained will undoubtedly influence my future projects and creative endeavours.