ABOUT
GLASS ARTIST
QUALIFICATIONS
Rita has graduated from Vilnius Academy of Arts and the University of Sunderland specialising in glass design.
At Vilnius Academy of Arts, Rita was taught the basics of visual arts. She has developed a sense of three-dimensional thinking, space and form. She has also developed the ability to represent her knowledge of the human anatomy and creatively depict the human form both spatially and two-dimensionally. She has also developed practical painting skills, trying to achieve the diversity of line, colour combination and composition.
During her studies at Vilnius Academy of Arts, she received the Erasmus scholarship giving the opportunity to study in the United Kingdom at the University of Sunderland, Glass and Ceramics Department. There she was introduced to various techniques when working with glass. It broadened her technical knowledge and conceptual approach to art. She was also introduced to various depiction techniques, methods, materials and tools, stimulating her creativity and individuality.
Rita has experienced slightly different approaches to art and craft from both glass departments and therefore she would describe her current creativity as a balance between those two influences.
AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS
Rita has been awarded the Ashton Hill Award from the Worshipful Company of Glaziers & Painters of Glass, London in 2019. She received a work placement with a scholarship and completed Glass Painting, Silver Stain and Enameling Master Classes with Jonathan Cooke at Swansea University, Wales. During Jonathan's Master Class, Rita has learnt the multilayered painting on glass technique. She had an opportunity to explore various glass painting, enameling and silver staining methods further which expanded her knowledge. Subsequently, she completed the placement at the Barley Studio, York where she had an amazing opportunity to explore professional craftsmanship in architectural glass and gained valuable skills.
In 2022 Rita became one of the
shortlisted artists for the ‘Windows for the King’, at St. Mary’s Church, Barnard Castle, UK.
In 2020 Rita's entry was the first runner-up for the LMReflects2020 Stained Glass Roundel Design Competition commemorating Sir Charles Bowman's mayoralty, London, UK.
In 2014 Rita received a Commended Prize at the Stevens Architectural Glass Competition, Glaziers Hall, London, UK
EXPERIENCE
Rita has nearly 15 years of experience working with a great variety of different glass making techniques and she has completed a numerous amount of stained glass commissions, collaborations and repairs.
During her stained glass practice Rita has been also a freelance studio assistant for many other glass artists/studios, such as Cate Watkinson (Watkinson Glass Associates, Newcastle), Bryan Curtis (Northern Star Stained Glass Studio, Newcastle), glass artist Rachel Welford, National Glass Centre, Sunderland), Helen Whittaker (Barley Studio, York), and Mike Davis (Mimram Glass Studio, Durham).
Whilst working for these talented artists, Rita has gained valuable practical skills which she has successfully applied to her work, that now mainly includes church stained glass commissions and collaborations.
Rita has designed and manufactured Jubilee, Sacristy, and St. Aidan windows in St. Aidan Church, Wallsend. She has also designed and manufactured several Windows in St. Mary's Church, Holywell, in collaboration with Cate Watkinson.