History
In 1983, glass artists François Houdé and Ronald Labelle worked in collaboration with various colleagues to create a studio dedicated to the fired arts (ceramic, glass and forge). On October 6, 1986, the Centre des métiers du verre du Québec inc. / Espace VERRE autonomously moved to the old fire station no21, where it still operates to this day. Over the years, many have dedicated themselves to make Espace VERRE a centre focused on glass art research, promotion and recognition.
Our mission
Espace VERRE is a creative centre with the mission to:
- enable success for emerging glass artists by facilitating the development of their artistic careers in a fair and respectful environment, where skill-sharing is praised;
- encourage and support the promotion of contemporary Quebecois glass art by celebrating our students, teachers, and associates’ individual and collective achievements;
- provide the local and international glass art communities access to a creative and connecting hub, with studios adapted to the vast array of experiences possible for anyone working in them.
Our activities
For the past 40 years, Espace VERRE has operated as a non-profit center for the research, promotion and recognition of the glass arts. Its mission is to promote and encourage the creations of emerging Quebec glass artists, as well as to offer to the Quebec glass art community, and those from anywhere else, the access to studios where they can create and interact with their peers.
Espace VERRE is the sole studio-school to offer a 3-year-long college level glass art programme in the province of Quebec. This programme, offered in collaboration with the Cégep du Vieux Montréal since 1989, leads to the obtainment of a Diploma of College Studies in fine crafts, glass option. Since 1993, the post-graduate Fusion transitional hot glass workshop has permitted graduates to successfully start their careers.
Also, Espace VERRE offers services to professional glass artists, such as studio rental, purchasing of materials, consignment sales via the boutique and gallery, the fulfillment of special orders and the possibility of participating to specialized professional workshops with internationally renowned glass artists. During the year, the Espace VERRE gallery presents several glass art exhibitions, including the DEC graduate exhibition and a Christmas pop-up.
Espace VERRE is constantly in contact with its Montreal neighbourhood. Open to the public, it frequently welcomes local, national and international visitors alike. They come to see glass artists at work, purchase glass art pieces in our boutique- gallery, inform themselves about our weekend intensive classes, guided tours and group activities, as well as our special activities such as the Make Your Own Blown Glass Ornament.
Our values
- We consider that professionalism is the cornerstone of our organization, where the transmission of knowledge is done while respecting the expertise and fine craft traditions. This has allowed us to be rooted in decisively contemporary practices.
- We contribute to the success of craftspeople and glass artists through sharing. This has become the vector for artistic, entrepreneurial and personal creativity and development.
- We foster open mindedness, whether towards new perspectives, the visual arts domain, experimentation with other materials or just being different.
- Respect is at the heart of all our actions.