In 2017 Arts on the Credit is beginning a community partnership with Sheridan College to support and encourage new graduates from their various craft streams. This year we approached Koen Vanderstukken, from the Faculty of Animation, Arts and Design, who sent out a call to recent graduates of the glass department outlining the opportunity to receive a sponsored booth space at our art show.

Two graduates responded to our call and Arts on the Credit selected Courtney Downman to join us this year at the Waterside Inn for our sixth annual fine art show. Congratulations to Courtney. Arts on the Credit is excited to show this stunning work.

Courtney Downman began working with glass in September of 2012 after enrolling in the Craft and Design program at Sheridan College. While studying she was recognized by Sheridan College with four awards and was selected for a Student Summer Residency Scholarship at Harbourfront Centre in 2014. Upon graduating Courtney worked as a Teaching assistant in the glass program at Sheridan College. Courtney was recently awarded the glass artist-in-residence fellowship at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga, ON.

My ‘Carved’ series begins with a blown glass form made by gathering and shaping the molten material. Once cooled the glass becomes rigid like stone. I delicately carve the blown glass to create a linear texture and raw edges.

This series highlights glass’ ability to appear and act as both liquid and solid. The glass is formed as a liquid and then is carved when hardened. This duality allows me to use hot and cold processes to explore line and texture. The fluid bubble of glass slowly transitions into a rough and jagged edge. My work acts as a visual representation of this transition from liquid to solid; fluidity to rigidity, and strength to fragility.”

More information about Courtney Downman and her work can be found at www.courtneydownman.com