Capital Boulevard Light Finials

Started working as a volunteer at Glass Happens Studio in Edmonton since March 2001. It was there that i “grew up“ with the glass, practicing skills and learning about hot glass as a material. Having a creative background in photography already, i soon realized that as my attraction to glass grew, it demanded more of my attention and photo ended taking the back seat. It became clear at the time that i had room for only one main creative interest in my life. This transition in creative thoughts although sad was a necessary one and paved the way to a new creative career and a new medium of choice. As a journeyman carpenter with a strong work ethic, I really appreciated how physical the process was in creating glass objects. I draw a lot of parallels between carpentry and glass, one of these parallels is the struggle and challenge it can take me before i can really appreciate the finished result. Nothing worth having or doing seems to come easy for me. During my time with glass i have managed to broaden myself by, helping teach beginner glass classes at Red Deer College and volunteering at Pilchuck glass school as a poleturner. I have had the opportunity to work with other artists and industrial designers in bringing their ideas to life and enjoy the challenge which comes with these new ideas and approaches. I have designed and fabricated custom lighting fixtures for clients, produced recognition and achievement awards for various local organizations, as well as been a successful candidate for a City of Edmonton permanent art installation. I continue to live and work in Edmonton, Alberta with my family and am always in hot pursuit of the next best curry house and the perfect punty.

Edmonton glass artist Keith Walker was selected to provide a design for, and to fabricate, decorative finials for new light standards along Capital Boulevard. The “ceremonial street” connects the Alberta Legislature Building with MacEwan University and will provide a pedestrian-friendly artery. Walker’s design consists of up to 204 hand-made and sandblasted blown glass components. The finials stand 26” tall and are affixed to the light standards by means of a custom-designed screw and collar system. Each finial will consist of up to 3 glass pieces threaded onto a centre pole which screws into the light fixture. Although the prototype is made from clear glass, the finished installation will feature coloured glass in myriad hues. Fabrication of this intricate design will take up to a year and installation is anticipated for 2014. For more information about Capital Boulevard, please visit : http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/projects_redevelopment/capital-boulevard.aspx