Artists in Dialogue: What We’ve Learnt So Far

Join Canberra Glassworks as we partner with Sabbia Gallery to host an artist talk bringing together Netty Blair, Tom Rowney, and Nick Mount for a conversation that reflects on practice, process, and shared experience across generations.

As part of Sabbia’s 20th Anniversary celebrations, the panel talk will cover the rich history these artists share, highlight their individual practices and whats we've learnt so far. The panel will take place on Thursday 20 November at 5pm, in the Hotshop, followed by drinks and informal discussion.

ANNETTE BLAIR

With over twenty years’ experience, Annette Blair is an established glass artist specialising in glass blowing, glass enamelling and cold working. Based at Canberra Glassworks and her own studio in Burra, NSW, she is both a designer and maker, dedicated to refining technical processes to create meticulously crafted objects and one-of-a-kind artworks for exhibition.

Annette creates works for exhibition as well as fabricating glass for high profile artists and clients. She is frequently sought after to teach glass blowing and glass painting nationally and internationally. Annette was recently awarded the Vicki Torr International Year of Glass Prize for ‘A quiet afternoon in May’, 2022, which was shown at her Canberra Glassworks solo exhibition in 2022. She was a finalist of the 2024 FUSE Glass Prize, Tom Malone Glass Art Prize, the Still – National Still Life Prize, Hindmarsh Prize, Klaus Moje Glass Award, Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize and 2022 Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize.

Recently, her works have shown at Sabbia Sydney (2025, 2024) FUSE Glass Prize (2024), Jam Factory (2023) and  Canberra Glassworks (2022). She regularly teaches at Pilchuck US, Pittsburgh US, and Canberra Glassworks Find out more

TOM ROWNEY

Tom Rowney is an established glass artist specialising in glass blowing based at Canberra Glassworks. With over thirty years’ experience in the field, Tom is renowned as one of the most accomplished glass blowers in Australia. His practice is based on learning, refining, and adapting Venetian glass blowing processes in combination with his joy of making beautifully crafted objects.

Tom continues to be sought after for teaching and fabrication projects by the leading glass studios and artists in Australia and overseas. His works have been collected by the National Gallery of Australia, National Glass Collection – Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, Powerhouse Museum, Australian Catholic University Collection, and the Tacoma Museum of Glass (USA).

Recently, his works have shown at Sabbia Gallery (2025, 2024, 2021, 2020) Canberra Glassworks (2023). Find out more

NICK MOUNT

Nick Mount has been blowing glass since a cowboy boot-wearing American introduced him to it in the mid 70s. Nick is celebrated as one of the most important and influential figures in contemporary Australian studio glass. Based in Adelaide, South Australia, Nick works out of a home studio and the JamFactory’s open access hot shop. In the traditions of the studio glass movement, he is an advocate for communal training and production, and has a reputation for being a generous teacher and mentor. He also travels regularly, both exhibiting and demonstrating around the world.

Nick’s work is materials and process driven. His early exposure to the thriving studio glass scene on the West Coast of the United States, and the historic and cultural traditions of the Venetians remain an enduring influence Find out more