In celebration of 100 years of Kingston Power House, the Canberra Glassworks is asking kids aged three to 17 years to design an original glass work inspired by the historic Canberra building, now a thriving glass-making facility.
A landmark on its lakeside setting at Kingston Foreshore, the Kingston Powerhouse is a building of industrial and architectural significance. Built between 1913 and 1915 and designed by John Smith Murdoch, the Commonwealth architect who also designed the Provisional Parliament House, the Kingston Powerhouse was one of the first permanent buildings in Canberra, and was of significant social importance in the early years of the city. It was transformed into Canberra Glassworks in 2007 as a special initiative of the ACT Government through artsACT.
The building now provides a state-of-the-art facility for glass artists from across Australia, and is the only cultural centre wholly dedicated to contemporary glass art. It’s free for the public to visit between 10am and 2pm Tuesday to Sunday, where they can see artists working throughout the building.
Kids may know it for glass, or as the building where they buy their Brodburgers. Or they may recognize it by the beautiful Touching Lightly by Warren Langley which embellishes the historic smoke stack. They may have visited Canberra Glassworks to do a Make Your Own glass session on tour with their school, or perhaps they participated in a school holiday program. They could be related to an artist who works here!
There are three age categories for the competition:
- 3 – 8 years
- 9 – 13 years
- 14 – 17 years
This year, the choice of glass making process is up to the young designers – kiln-formed glass, cast glass or hot blown glass. The winners in each age category will have their designs made by a professional artist and they will also get to keep the work.
Canberra Glassworks staff will be at Belconnen Fresh Food Markets on Saturday 31 October to get kids designing.
For more information visit http://www.canberraglassworks.com/education/kids/kids-design-competition/