Lampworking – Katrina Newman

I’ve worked in many different studios, including as a student in the Gold and Silversmithing Department at Canberra School of Art.

In 1986 I set up my first studio at Gorman House Arts Centre in Canberra. I remember paying about $7 a week rent, which I found was not too difficult to manage when you’re a young emerging artist. In 1987 with the abundant energy that I had, I nominated for the Gorman House Committee of Management, I have always been keen on making a difference. The photo below was the paraphernalia that I distributed in hope of achieving success, I lost by 1 vote. As it turned out they employed me to work in the office instead. In the photo I am wearing three spectacular arm rings that I made from Perspex.

After my first solo exhibition in 1988 at Solander Gallery in Canberra I had a short break before re-establishing in my second studio back at Gorman House Arts Centre. You may have seen me at the Gorman House Arts Centre Markets where I braved the cold Canberra winters, however I still managed to keep a brave face.

In 1994, I left Canberra to return to Melbourne where I set up my studio in my lounge room in a small unit I let in Armadale. Following on I moved to Ashburton, and then down to Somers on the Mornington Peninsula. It was only when I purchased my first home at McCrae in 2013, that I have been able to re-open my studio to the public, as I did many years ago in Canberra at Gorman House Arts Centre.

I joined the Peninsula Studio Trail in 2013, and have opened my studio every year since. In my studio visitors can see an exhibition of my work and demonstrations of the techniques I use including cuttlefish casting and lamp working glass beads. As I’ve always said, I enjoy the opportunity to show people what I do, and how it is done.

My studio is always open to the public, so if you’re keen to see my work or buy directly, please click the contact button at the top of this page to arrange a time to visit.