CANBERRA-based glass artist Lucy Palmer was awarded the 2016 Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society’s (ADFAS) grant of $1,000 on Thursday night. The funds will assist in developing her artistic practice.

This is the fifth year this award, supported by Canberra Glassworks, has been made.

Lucy Palmer graduated from the University of South Australia in 2013, completed a TAFE small business course and has lived in Canberra for 18 months. She is working on a production line and in mid-October will release a line of glass jewellery under the name MENO.

Her studio is at the Canberra Glassworks, and she plans to use the funds to develop work for her first solo exhibition at M16 in January 2017, during the 2017 Ausglass Conference, “(r)devolve”. “This is a perfect opportunity to gain significant exposure and unveil my most recent works to other glass artists, collectors and interested parties from all over Australia,” she said.

“The conference will also bring broader public exposure to glass art, leading to increased public interest and awareness surrounding the event.”

Lucy Palmer explained that she will have some freedom to create work which doesn’t fit within financial constraints. The award will give her the chance to experiment further with her conceptual ideas. “I am very excited about the prospect,” she said.

The aim of the program is to assist emerging artists (aged between 16 and 30) to either develop a production line, create exhibition work, research and develop a new technique, or participate in a professional workshop. Applicants must live in Canberra and be able to use the equipment and facilities independently at the Canberra Glassworks.

Chair of ADFAS, Marcel Dimo, said the assessment panel was delighted at the quality of the applications received this year. He said: he assessment panel was impressed by examples of Lucy’s work and her clear aims for the coming year. We are looking forward to seeing her exhibition in January.”

This grant will certainly assist Lucy Palmer to forge a career in glass, an expensive medium.

[Story by Meredith Hinchliffe]