Finding Inspiration in Fire and Form: Sarah Garrard's Evolution in Glass
Through Sarah Garrard's journey with glass, she finds magic in the process of creation, where every moment in the studio is an opportunity for alchemy and innovation.
Sarah Garrard's passion for glass ignited in 2000 during an apprenticeship in a quaint Texas glass art studio. Her formal studies at Sheridan College, majoring in Craft and Design, deepened her connection to the medium. After graduating in 2005, Sarah ventured to Honolulu, Hawaii, where she honed her skills while working with adolescents at Punahou School and assisting local glassblowers.
Following the 2008 economic downturn, Sarah transitioned to academia and healthcare, specializing in Emergency Medicine as a Registered Nurse for the next decade. However, her longing to create persisted, leading her back to the hot shop in 2020. Nature, culture, music, and art fuel Sarah's creativity, inspiring her to infuse contemporary aesthetics into traditional techniques.
In her artist statement, Sarah describes glass as an enchanting medium, characterized by its transformative properties and the immersive experience of working with it. She embraces experimentation and play, continually pushing the boundaries of what glass can do. Her current focus lies in organic forms inspired by flora, exploring the interplay of color and form to create something new and captivating. Asking the question, what if the vase isn’t a vessel for flowers, but a flower itself, she is playing with form in a way that is as unique as her captivating personality.
Sarah acknowledges that failure in the glass forming process often leads to discovery, guiding her towards a refined artistic style rooted in exploration and resilience. Through her journey with glass, she finds magic in the process of creation, where every moment in the studio is an opportunity for alchemy and innovation. In her interview with Artsville, we asked Sarah what is her favorite part of working with glass. While it was hard for her to narrow it down because her love is deep, when the glass is at its most molten, the first gathers, when it hasn’t been touched, really lights up her expression.
You can find Sarah’s work online and at Marquee. Sarah is also very active on Instagram where you can follow her journey and creative process.
