The time has come. After nearly 50 years in hot glass, and 36 years continual open studio practice in our Melting Pot Glass Studio, Gerry Reilly has decided to take a good long break.
Glass artist, Gerry Reilly has created a vast range of art glass for over 40 years in WA. With a keen eye for reflecting the natural world, he is well known for his stunning landscape series and sculptural installations, plus his colourful, expressive designs in vases, platters, bowls, stemless glasses and tableware.
On September 20 this year, Gerry and Margot will be finishing up as a working hot glass studio and undergoing final preparations to leave our beautiful Zani Place property forever 10 days later. Together we’ll be stepping into a new chapter of our lives as long time partners in our free form creative and family life.
There’ll be hot glass flowing from Gerry’s fingertips and glass for sale till our Last Hurrah weekend event Sat-Sun, Sept 19-20. Come collect a beautiful piece of his unique art glass while you can.
This will also be our last time with the wider, annual Margaret River Region Open Studios/MRROS event after 13 years participating. Gerry will be demonstrating and our off-the-shelf shop will be open for the first nine days of MRROS from Sept 12-20.
Our much loved glassmaking experiences are available by booking until Sun, Aug 30. After this time, only gift voucher holders will be able to book in on specific days (via phone) until Sept 10.
We look forward to seeing you if you’re down south before we head off.
In the meantime, you can continue to find Gerry Reilly Glass at the following venues:
- Aspects of Kings Park Gallery;
- FOUND at Fremantle Arts Centre;
- Little Seedlings Gift Shop, Dianella;
- Leeuwin Estate Winery, Margaret River;
- Borellos Cellar Door, Witchcliffe;
- Goanna Gallery Bush Cafe, Dunsborough;
- YubuNapa Gallery, Alice Springs.
Both Linton & Kay Galleries and the new Stafford Gallery, North Fremantle continue to hold a beautiful selection of Gerry Reilly’s exhibition series, often on display with current exhibitions or ask to view.
And if you’re in Hay St, Perth, take a peek into the foyer of the Hotel Intercontinental for Gerry Reilly’s superb central hanging installation, Falling Leaves.
Or if you’re lucky enough to find yourself in the inner sanctum of Perth’s Optus Stadium, check out Gerry Reilly’s Effervescence with hanging bubbles sweeping across the ceiling of the Locker Room.
Gerry’s much loved art glass can be found in many homes and offices throughout Western Australia and around the world, including offices of government officials, corporate boardrooms and taking pride of place in the lounge-rooms of many Australian and international cultural leaders and sportspeople.
Gerry and Margot are also proud to hold an artistic legacy beyond the art glass itself, and into the hearts and minds of children, young people, adults and elders from across countless cultural backgrounds around the world who have experienced the wonders of hot glass in our busy little studio in Margaret River since we first opened our doors on Dec 1, 1990.
We give grateful thanks to our extended families and numerous close friends who have consistently contributed to the ongoing success of Melting Pot Glass Studio. We couldn’t possibly have been here without you.
Our huge thanks also to the many valued staff members who have joined us at the furnace face, on the torch, and helped run our three gallery-shop venues; and via the Australia-wide galleries and gift shops, Australian Craft shows and annual fairs that Gerry Reilly’s glass has been represented in over the years.
Many thanks to everyone who’s come to see us and engaged with our business over the years, to our awesome Margaret River community and to anyone who continues to have our glass in their lives today.
Who knows what comes next for two lifelong creatives … we’ll be keeping the business name, website and our social media pages live for now, and will let you know what develops, if anything, after we’ve taken a good long break away.
Its been a wild ride on the dragon’s back … now to land safely and keep the creative flame alive in our hearts for many years to come. 🔥
