Julia Reimer

When Julia Reimer was introduced to the craft of glass blowing she immediately knew she had found the right form for expressing her creativity. She says, “I was always drawn to the muted luminescence of river ice on bright days in winter. So when I had a chance to combine the essence of light, colour and movement with a material, it was a perfect fit.” 

Julia grew up between the mountains and prairies in Canada and her aesthetic, based on the simplicity of light and form, is derived from this environment of crisp prairie light, undulating hills and grasslands carved by wind and water.

After first studying glass blowing in 1996 at the Alberta College of Art and Design (ACAD), she has continued her studies through travels to Scotland, the United States, Spain, France and Hungary where she acquired a knowledge of design and traditional European glass making techniques. She completed her course work at ACAD in 2000 and now owns and operates Firebrand Glass Studio with her husband, Tyler Rock.

Her original design and meticulous craftsmanship have been recognized through several awards and scholarships, such as the Canada Council for the Arts. In 2008 she received the first ever Canadian Clay and Glass National Glass Award for Excellence. She has been chosen as an Artist in Residence at several prominent art institutions such as the Corning Museum of Glass, The Jam Factory Art Centre and the University of South Australia. As well, her sculptures are featured in the publication 500 Glass Objects. She has also been commissioned by the office of the Prime Minister to create a gift for the Emperor and Empress of Japan. Her work has also been selected for the Cheongju International Craft Biennale as well as the official Cultural Olympiad, at the Museum of Vancouver.