Julie Rae Riggs
Julie Rae Riggs was born in Virginia Beach, VA in 1979. Since Julie was young, art has played a fundamental roll in her life, and she has spent much of that time looking for a medium that both challenged and suited her. While studying at Community College, she discovered that glassblowing classes were in development; but it wasn’t until years later that the facility was built. In the meantime, she continued her quest to learn glass by traveling to local glass studios and applying for apprenticeships. Often turned away or given the runaround, she was even told by one glass artist that “women don’t usually blow glass because they're afraid they will burn themselves.” Julie decided to take matters into her own hands; In Jan of 2001 she took out a loan, supplied herself with all the necessary materials, built a large metal shed and started learning on her own with books & videos. It was the beginnings of what would become her lifelong passion.
In 2002 she took her first class taught by Shane Fero & Fred Birkhill. The class drastically changed her perception of the medium and ignited her passion for learning everything she could about glass. Julie has spent a number of years traveling and studying at some of the top glass schools in the country such as Penland School of Crafts, The Corning museum of Glass, and Buttermilk Glass Studios. She has studied under some of the world’s most renowned artists including Shane Fero, Fred Birkhill, Roger Parramore, Jen Zitkov, Eric Goldschmid, Lauren Stump, Milon Townsend, Kristina Logan, Beth Lipman, Sally Prasch, Emilio Santini, Lucio Bubacco, Paul Stankard, Marcel Braun, Walter Hellbach, Robert Michelson, Vittrio Costantini, Rik Allen & Ed Schmid. During her travels, Julie has had the pleasure of meeting and being in the presence of many additional gifted glass artists, from beginners to masters, who have all inspired her tremendously.
Julie is a member of the International Glass Art Society. She attended the 2003 Seattle & 2004 New Orleans G. A.S. conferences, the 2004 & 2005 Internationa l Flameworking Conference in Salem, NJ, and the Art Glass Invitational in Hillards, PA in 2005 & 2008. Julie participated in Marcel Brauns Project 33 in 2004 at the Eugene Glass School, won 2nd place in wearables at the 2005 E.G.S. Flame off, and was a headlining contestant in the first annual Female Flame off in Chicago. In August of 2004 Julie traveled to Lauscha, Germany on a tour hosted by Shane Fero, Fred Birkhill, Marcie Davis, and Thomas Muler-litz where she visited many of the infamous cities studios, factories, and historical glass exhibits. There she took a private lesson from 4th generation, glass eyeball master, Walter Hellbach. Julie recently demoed for Jennifer Bueno’s class at Penland in the fall of 2008, and started teaching classes out of her studio in December 2008. Julies work has been featured in the flow magazine Vol 2, Issue 4, Special Edition Commemorating Women in Glass (centerfold) and in the gallery of artists in the Winter 2008 edition. She can also be found in Vol 2 Issue 3 in Marcel Braun’s article “Project 33: Pushing the limits of boro, again!” and Mike Shelbos article "34th GAS Conference: Hot Glass at the Big Easy”. Over the years Julie has enjoyed participating in several group collaborations & glass events.
Julies works primarily in Borosilicate glass, but also dabbles in many different types of soft glass. Her art reflects her love of human form, nature & beautiful fantasies. Julie currently lives in Virginia Beach, VA with her daughter Lilith. She teaches classes to high school students & Lilith on weekends and occasionally holds workshops for out of town students. She is currently working on a project for Hampton Road’s “Art of Glass 2” exhibition sponsored by the Chrysler Museum of Art, the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia and the Virginia Arts Festiva l. She is also currently building a website to display & sell her work. Meanwhile, her portfolio can be viewed at www.glassartists.org/julier.riggs & www.glasspipes.org/julz
