It has been twenty years since Ray Beaton and Larry Kolybaba called local glass artists together and started organizing this association in 1988. The first meetings saw all the local professional glass artists and studios attend. Some of the original aims were those of a professional organization, such as fair bidding practices, design pirating, and promoting demand. Before long, the professional qualification was changed so that membership would be open to all those with a serious interest in the art glass field. The society was first registered in 1990. Our first elected president was Neil Godfrey, and board of directors consisted of Rob Studer, Warren Edis, Terry Burnett, Kevin Midgley, Brian Baxter, Ray Beaton, Susan Brown, Larry Kolybaba, Graham Scott, and Bruce Taiji.

An exhibition was one of the high priority items, but it took a lot of organization to make it happen. It was a juried exhibition in the lobby of the Bank of Hong Kong at 885 West Georgia, from September 18-30, 1989, called "Glass As Art". In 1991 we began our partnership with Simon Fraser University. It started SFU's public glass collection, which now holds work by Robert Studer, Leslie Rowe -Israelson and Melanie Rowe, Brock Craig, Naoko Takenouchi, Morna Tudor, Gary Bolt , Jean Paull, and Mel Munsen. Over thirty exhibitions have been held over the past twenty years.

There are just as many different artists found manipulating glass in the province as there are types of art. Their work can be found in places like Robert Studer's architectural installation at Cathedral Place in Vancouver, BC. David New-small's work can be found in the Corning Museum permanent art collection. His work has been recognized with a New Glass award in 1981, and Miyuki Shinkai is another recipient of the New Glass Award for her conceptual interventions. Former scholarship winner and past president Jay Macdonnel has been creating inspiring works which can now be found in galleries around the country and the United States. Pieces by Robert Held can be found in homes throughout the world. Considered the grandfather of the Canadian Glass art movement, Robert Held's works have a timeless quality. It is challenging and rewarding to work in a medium which is both technically demanding and has so many applications. The BC Achievement Awards for applied arts has realized this fact. BCGAA members Jill Allan, Mark Roth, and Renata Crowe have each been recognized with this honour in the first five years of the inception of these awards.

There have always been and will continue to be discussions about: What is art ? As well as … what is glass art ? How can glass be used ? and, Why NOT!

This cross pollination, as well as inter-relationships and diversity found within the glass artists of BC is the theme for the upcoming exhibition at the Roundhouse Community Centre and Gallery in September of 2010. It will showcase how each artist is currently creating art within a framework revealing how they have interacted within the community of the BC Glass Arts Association over the past 20 years, thereby showing the variety of ways artists can work in glass. The association is looking for individuals possessing relevant information and images for the exhibition. The resulting archives will enable the BCGAA to tell the stories which are a part of its history.

The BC Glass Arts Association continues to evolve as this medium is both perceived and utilized. It is grateful to the individuals and organizations below, who have shown both faith and resources in the development and continuance of the goals of the BCGAA

Simon Fraser University
Pilchuck Glass School
Graeme May of Raymond James
Melanie Rowe
Mott Electric
Tiffany Stained Glass
HSBC
Mark Angus
Robert Held
Roundhouse Community Centre & Art Gallery