GRANT GARMEZY   

Born:  Nashvile, Tennessee

Resides:  Virginia

 

STATEMENT + CV

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I have been making sculptural glass objects with the intention of pushing the boundaries of glass sculpting to create something new and original. My most recent pieces are recreations of objects or scenes from a memory. Formalizing memories using glass is a way to preserve images that would otherwise be fleeting. By fossilizing particular memories using a permanent material, I am able to relive them in a less distracting and more focused environment.

I strive for a very realistic quality in the objects I create in glass. By using a combination of solid and blown glass sculpting, I am able to manipulate the glass into forms that are unique but have a sense a familiarity with every day life.

Biography

Born outside Nashville Tennessee, Grant Garmezy began his artistic career at University School of Nashville studying under Elizabeth Mask. While still in school he began his apprencticeship to metal and jewelry fabricator Ben Caldwell.  He then went on to apprentice with Alan LeQuire, a renowned figurative sculptor who became one of his earliest influences.  In 2003 Grant traveled to Richmond, Virginia to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University.  While in the Crafts and Materials Studies program, he studied under professor Jack Wax, a furnace worker, and Emilio Santini, flame worker.  In 2006, Garmezy learned sculpting techniques from Scott Darlington at Pilchuck Glass School.  That same summer, he attended Haystack Mountain School of Crafts where he studied under Claire and Anthony Schafermeyer.  In the summer of 2007, Garmezy traveled to Pennsylvania to attend a class taught by Ross Richmond at the Pittsburgh Glass Center. In 2008 Grant was awarded the international North Lands Creative Glass Residency in Scotland. While at North Lands, Grant  developed a body of experimental sculptural work, gave demos and spent time giving lectures about his work. Grant continues to live and work out of Richmond Virginia. Recently, one of Grants Pieces was accepted into the Royal Scottish Academy 182nd Annual Exhibition in Edinburgh, Scotland. The piece, entitled Delicious, was awarded the RSA Benno Scholtz Prize.  The prize recognized most promising work by young sculptor in Scotland. Grant lives and works out of Richmond Virginia.

Education
Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA BFA, 2007
Summer Programs & Other Professional Education
Pittsburgh Glass Center, Pittsburgh, PA 2007
Haystack Mountain School of Craft, Deer Isle, ME 2006
Pilchuck Glass School, Seattle, WA 2006
Savannah College of Art and Design Rising Star Program, Savannah, GA 2002
 

Scholarships
Full Scholarships  to attend Haystack 2006
Dean Portfolio Scholarship, Virginia Commonwealth University  2003
 

Residencies
North Lands Creative Glass  Hot glass residency, Lybster Scotland 2008
-Six Week Residency
 

Exhibitions
COLD+HOT 2009, Micaela Gallery, San Francisco, CA 2009

COLD+HOT 2008, Micaela Gallery, San Francisco, CA 2008

Royal Scottish Academy 182nd Annual Exhibition or Art and Architecture, Edinburgh, Scotland 2008
North Lands Creative Glass, Lybster gallery,Quatre Bras, Lybster, Scotland 2008
Juried Fine Art Exhibition, Anderson Gallery, VCU, Richmond, VA 2007
Juried Fine Art Exhibition, Anderson Gallery, VCU, Richmond, VA 2006
 

Apprenticeships
Apprenticeship with Alan Lequire (Bronze sculptor) 2003
Apprenticeship with Ben Caldwell (metal smith) 2002
 

Travel
Extensive Travel in the UK, U.S.A, Tanzania, Africa, Italy, Turkey, Greek Islands
 

Documentation of Work
Am Bailie Farr. "Farr art pupils meet creative glass experts" 17 March 2008
Biegelsen, Amy.  "Drawn In."  Style Weekly [Richmond] 29 March 2006, Vol. XXIV, No. 13: 24.
 

Collections
North Lands Creative Glass Permanent Museum collection 2008
 

Awards
Awarded the Benno Scholtz Prize for most prominent sculptor in the UK 2008