Helga Watkins-Baker
Helga trained in architectural stained glass, undertook postgraduate studies in kiln techniques for glass at Central St. Martin’s College, London, and an MA in Glass at Wolverhampton, specialising in kiln forming. She was awarded South West Arts’ annual Craft award in 1998 and the Worshipful Company of Glaziers’ award for research into architectural glass in America. She has completed numerous public and private commissions, most recently a large glass installation for the new Frome Hospital, commissioned by the NHS.
Eight years ago Helga co-founded the Liquid Glass Centre, Wiltshire, where she specialises in teaching kiln techniques for glass, and has considerable experience in development, administration and strategies for the ongoing survival of artists’ organisations.
She is also chairperson of the Contemporary Glass Society, an organisation with a membership of over 500, for whom she undertook research into glass arts and artists’ professional development funded by the Arts Council in 2005. For the CGS Helga organised a major glass conference celebrating their tenth anniversary, held at the Eden Project, and an associated exhibition of national and international glass artists at the Devon Guild of Crafts.
She curated New Glass West and Liquid Light, two major exhibitions of south west glassmakers in 2004 and 2006. She is co-chair of Frome Creative Network, and Newsletter Development Editor for BANA, the Bath Area Network for Artists.