Robert Held Glass Artist

In March 2013 and after 39 years, Robert Held sold off all his glass making equipment and finally closed the doors of his Vancouver based, Pine Street Studio.

 Bob moved to Parksville on Vancouver Island and entered into retirement. So was that it; the end of some of the finest glass making in North America?

 But the days of tennis, reading and painting (the artistic type) began to drag. Frustration grew. Dreams of a relaxing retirement became just that – dreams. The urge to create more pieces of glass art grew until Bob could resist the call no longer.

 As with all ventures a little luck helps. Bob discovered that an art school in southern Seattle had just received a large endowment and was upgrading their glass making equipment. So armed with cash and a large van he was first on the scene and bought their whole collection of equipment – furnaces included.

 After numerous trips from Seattle back & forth to Vancouver Island we now we have a new art studio, based in Parksville – risen from the ashes so to speak.

 Bob together with two of his former artists have started creating even more beautiful glass art. Hearts, Paperweights, Bowls, Vases and Ginger Pots are all now ready (in limited quantities) for sale as the new gallery expands its production.