Wagga Wagga Art Gallery is hosting a celebration event for its two glass exhibitions; Shattering the Glass Ceiling – Women Artists in the National Art Glass Collection and Emma Varga: Fire – Water – Life on Saturday 17 February.

As part of the launch, there will be an artist talk from exhibiting artist Emma Varga and independent curator, writer and consultant Grace Cochrane AM.

Shattering the Glass Ceiling showcases the work of more than 20 women artists from the National Art Glass Collection, including Kate Baker, Clare Belfrage, Jessica Loughlin, Judi Elliott, Kathy Elliott and Nancy Yu.

It celebrates their exceptional practice, advanced technique, and contribution to Australian and international studio glass over the past two decades.

Also on display is Fire – Water - Life which showcases Emma Varga’s career of more than 50 years as a glass artist, and her extraordinary passion for the environment.

Through her art practice Varga considers major global warming events such as bushfire, coral reef bleaching, and polar ice melts as a means to heighten our awareness of their devastating impact across the globe, as seen in a highlight installation of 50 glass cubes which reflect upon the natural world.

Wagga Wagga Art Gallery National Art Glass Collection assistant curator Michael Scarrone said it is great to have these two quality exhibitions.

“After working with Emma Varga over many years it is wonderful for the National Art Glass Gallery to celebrate her career of 50 years of glass making,” said Mr Scarrone.

“Shattering the Glass Ceiling features glass works by exceptional women artists from the collection, and the celebration event will acknowledge their achievements.”

Emma Varga: Fire – Water – Life is currently on exhibition at the National Art Glass Gallery until 17 March 2024.

Shattering the Glass Ceiling – Women Artists in the National Art Glass Collection will be open from 17 February to 15 June 2024.

Celebrating Women in Glass will be held at the National Art Glass Gallery on Saturday 17 February from 2pm.