Bethany Wheeler is an artist based in Melbourne, Australia and her practice encompasses studio glass sculpture, jewellery and design objects. She obtained a Master of Fine Art degree from Monash University in 2003 and has been exhibiting her work both nationally and internationally for 20 years. She has several years of experience as a Studio Technician, Lecturer and Trainer, teaching and assisting in many kiln forming and casting workshops. In 2013 she established 1000 Degrees Glass Studios, a communal kiln forming and cold working studio in Melbourne. Her success is recognised both nationally and internationally via extensive exhibitions, corporate and public commissions. Bethany’s work can be found in private and public collections including the National Glass Art Collection of Australia.

Bethany is Director of 1000 Degrees Glass Studios and Bespoke Awards, an arts business creating handmade awards, tokens of recognition and appreciation, and gifts of protocol in glass.

Artists Statement

I am drawn to working with glass because we live in vitreous environments; it’s a material that surrounds us in almost every part of life. Glass allows light to fill space, letting objects visually materialize and dematerialize simultaneously whilst describing interior and exterior space. It is charged with fascinating material paradoxes, fragility | solidity, liquid | solid, transparent | translucent | opaque – it is a hybrid that illustrates notions of the human condition and ways of seeing.

CV

| Born| 1979, Melbourne, Australia

| Maternity Leave | 2019-2020

| Education |

2020, Cert IV Training & Assessment, Melbourne Polytechnic

2001-2003, Master of Fine Art – by Research - Glass, Faculty of Art & Design, Monash University

2000, Bachelor of Art – Ceramic Design - Glass – 1st class Honours, Faculty of Art & Design, Monash University

1997-1999, Bachelor of Art – Ceramic Design|Glass, Faculty of Art & Design, Monash University

| Selected Exhibitions |

2021, Illuminance : a vision through glass in collaboration with NGV Design Week and Glaas Inc, Australian Center for Glass Design, Prahran, Vic

2020, Lightworkers, Australian Center for Glass Design, Prahran, Vic

2019, A Grain of Sand, Red Moon Gallery, Canterbury, Vic

2018-2019, Linden Post Card Show, Linden New Art Gallery, St Kilda, Vic

2018, Held in the Hand, Brunswick Street Gallery, Fitzroy, Vic

2018, Incinerator Art Award: Art for Social Change– Finalist, Incinerator Art Gallery, Moonee Ponds, Vic

2018, A Grain of Sand, Red Moon Gallery, Canterbury, Vic

2018, Guild{ }Home, Craft Cubed, Melbourne Festival of the Handmade 2018, 1000 Degrees Glass Studios, Cheltenham, Vic

2018, Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize - finalist, South Australian Museum, SA

2018, Fleurieu Biennale - finalist, Fleurieu Biennale, SA

2018, Liquid Form: Ancient and contemporary glass, Ian Potter Museum of Art, The University of Melbourne, Vic

2017, Linden Post Card Show, Linden New Art Gallery, Domain House, South Yarra, Vic

2017, Glaas Inc, Melbourne Polytechnic Gallery, Prahran, Vic

2017, Guild, Craft Cubed, Melbourne Festival of the Handmade 2017, 1000 Degrees Glass Studios, Cheltenham, Vic

2016, Linden Post Card Show, Linden New Art Gallery, St Kilda, Vic

2016, Incinerator Art Award: Art for Social Change– Finalist, Incinerator Art Gallery, Moonee Ponds, Vic

2016, Aesthetics in a Time of Emergency, Craft ACT, Act

2016, KIGA – Kirra Illuminating Glass Award - finalist, The Light in Winter @ Kirra Galleries, Federation Square, Vic

2016, Noosa Art Award – finalist, Noosa Regional Gallery, Qld

2015, Virtuoso, Kirra Galleries, Federation Square, Vic

2015, Return To Nature, Jarmbi Gallery, Burrinja Cultural Center, Upwey, Vic

2015, Contemporary Glass: Refracting a History, Incinerator Art Gallery, Moonee Ponds, Vic

2015, A Sinister Beauty, Strange Neighbour, Fitzroy, Vic

2015, KIGA – Kirra Illuminating Glass Award finalist, The Light in Winter @ Kirra Galleries, Federation Square, Vic

2015, Desire - Sculpture & Wearable Art, Kirra Galleries, Federation Square, Vic

2015, The Tom Malone Prize - Shortlisted finalist, Art Gallery of Western Australia, Wa

2015, Solo - Imprint, Place & Memory, The Gallery @ Bayside Art & Cultural Center, Brighton, Vic

2014, Artists Emerge at the WTC, MARS Gallery, World Trade Center, Vic

2014, 184 Molds Later, The Gallery, Pilchuck Glass School, Stanwood, Usa

2014, KIGA – Kirra Illuminating Glass Award finalist, The Light in Winter @ Kirra Galleries, Federation Square, Vic

2013, Glass Showcase, Kirra Galleries @ Albert Street Gallery, Vic

2013, Three Vitreous Bodies, Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, Nsw

2013, Decoration & Design: “The Black Object”, Clement Meadmore Gallery, The Academy of Design, Vic

2013, Ensemble, Ausglass Members Exhibition, Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, Nsw

2012, Director’s Choice, Kirra Gallery, Vic

2012, Ranamok Glass Prize - Finalist, Touring Nationally

2011, SOFA Chicago, represented by Kirra Gallery, Usa

2011, Art Melbourne, represented by Glass Plus Gallery, Vic

2011, Media Specific, Faculty Gallery, Monash University, Vic

2011, The Tom Malone Prize - Finalist, Art Gallery of Western Australia, Wa

2011, Gaffer Studio Glass, Hong Kong

2011, Tell us your stories, Object Galleries, Sydney, Nsw

2011, Kaleidoscope, Ausglass Members Exhibition, Peripheral Vision Conference, Sydney College of the Arts, NSW

2010, MM10 The Monash Momentum Continues, Kirra Gallery, Federation Square, Melbourne, Vic

2010, Miscellany, Frankston Arts Centre, Frankston, Vic

2009, Encore Encore, Vienna, Austria

2009, MM09, Kirra Gallery, Federation Square, Vic

2009, Design::Made::Trade, Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne, Vic

2009, Art Melbourne represented by Glass Plus Gallery, Melbourne, Vic

2009, Encore, Glass Artists Gallery, Glebe, NSW

2008, SOFA Chicago, represented by Kirra Gallery, USA

2008, Entanglement, Manningham Gallery, Vic

2008, Ranamok Glass Prize - Finalist, Touring Nationally

2008, Glass Now Weekend, National Liberty Museum, Philadelphia, USA

2008, Some Like it Hot, Glass Plus Gallery, South Melbourne, Vic

2008, Art Melbourne represented by Kirra Galleries, Melbourne, Vic

2008, Bethany Wheeler, Kirra Gallery, Federation Square, Melbourne, Vic

2007, Ranamok Glass Prize - Finalist, Touring Nationally

2007, Generation M, Kirra Gallery, Federation Square, Melbourne, Vic

2006, Glass Plus Five, Glass Plus Gallery, South Melbourne, Vic

2006, Ranamok Glass Prize - Finalist, Touring Nationally

2006, Synthesis: Fusing + Kiln Forming, Morgan Contemporary Glass Gallery, Pittsburgh, USA

2006, Worn, Sabbia Gallery, Sydney, Nsw

2006, Fire, Australian Wildlife Gallery, Bairnsdale, Vic

2005, Artworks Gallery, Southport, Qld

2005, Element, 1000C, Avalon, Nsw

2005, Monash Glass 25 Years, Faculty Gallery, Monash University, Vic

2005, Journey Through the Flame, Kirra Gallery, Southbank, Vic

2005, Southern Lights, Light Square Gallery, Adelaide, Sa

2005, Summer Heat, Object, Sydney, Nsw

2005, Coastline, 1000C, Avalon, Nsw

2004, Nine Glass Steps, Steps Gallery, Carlton, Vic

2004, To be or not to be....jewelled, Fusions Gallery, Fortitude Valley, Qld

2004, Eye 4 Design: the new frontier of Australian Industry, Daley Gallery, Kew, Vic

2004, Harvest II, New Talents in Glass and Ceramics, Quadrivium, Sydney, Nsw

2004, Artworks Gallery, Southport, Qld

2003, Palette Contemporary Art & Craft, Albuquerque, NM, USA

2003, The Annexe, Quadrivium, Sydney, Nsw

2003, An Investigation into the Dialogue between Natural and Constructed Environments, Master of Fine Art Exhibition, Greenhouse Gallery, Monash University, Vic

2003, City of Hobart Art Prize - Finalist, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Hobart, Tas

2003, Forte, New Contemporaries Gallery, Sydney, Nsw

2002, The Shin Kong Mitsukoshi International Glass Art Festival, Taiwan

2002, In3door / Out3door, Mira Fine Art Gallery, Melbourne, Vic

2002, Clearing, Craft Victoria, Melbourne, Vic

2002, Texture, Glass Artists Gallery, Glebe, Nsw

2001, Ausglass Glass Walk, A.R.T. Gallery Eden, Melbourne, Vic

2000, Spark Combined Honours Exhibition, The Faculty Gallery, Monash University, Vic

2000, Insert, Graduating Exhibition, Monash University, Vic

2000, Emerging Artist Program, Bulle Galleries, Melbourne, Vic

1999, @ninety9, Graduating Exhibition, Monash University, Vic

1999, Tina Wencher Prize, Association of Sculptors of Victoria, Telstra Centre, Melbourne, Vic

| Awards & Grants |

2018, Finalist, Incinerator Art Award: Art for Social Change, Incinerator Art Gallery, Moonee Ponds, Vic

2018, Finalist, Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize, South Australian Museum, SA

2018, Finalist, Fleurieu Biennale - finalist, Fleurieu Biennale, SA

2017, Gunyah Artist in Residence, Port Stephens, Nsw

2016, Australian Artists' Grant recipient, NAVA - National Association of Visual Artists – for Aesthetics In a Time of Emergency

2016, Finalist, Incinerator Art Award: Art for Social Change, Incinerator Art Gallery, Moonee Ponds, Vic

2016, Finalist, KIGA - Kirra Illuminating Glass Award, Kirra Galleries & The Light in Winter @ Federation Square, Vic

2016, Finalist, Noosa Art Prize, Noosa Regional Gallery, Qld

2015, Australian Artists' Grant recipient, NAVA - National Association of Visual Artists – for Imprint, Place & Memory

2015, Finalist, The Tom Malone Prize, Art Gallery of Western Australia, Wa

2014, The Lino Tagliapietra Scholarship to attend Silvia Levenson : Paradoxes in Glass workshop, Pilchuck Glass School, Usa

2014, Finalist, KIGA - Kirra Illuminating Glass Award, Kirra Galleries & The Light in Winter @ Federation Square, Vic

2012, Finalist, Ranamok Glass Prize, Touring Nationally

2011, Finalist, The Tom Malone Prize, Art Gallery of Western Australia. Wa

2008, Finalist, Ranamok Glass Prize, Touring Nationally

2007, Finalist, Ranamok Glass Prize, Touring Nationally

2006, Finalist, Ranamok Glass Prize, Touring Nationally

2003, Finalist, City of Hobart Art Prize, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Tas

2002, Ian Potter Foundation Cultural Grant recipient

1999, Glass Studio Award for Outstanding 3rd Year In Glass, Monash University, Vic

1999, Yarra Valley Grammar School Acquisitive Prize

1998, Finalist, Thomas Foundation Pilchuck Scholarship Competition, representing Monash University

| Publications |

Contemporary Australian Glass - The Tom Malone Prize 2003-2017, Robert Cook & Stefano Carboni, Art Gallery of Western Australia, p., 129 & 133, 2017

George Aslanis - Experiments in Light, Bethany Wheeler, National Art Glass Gallery, Wagga Wagga Regional Art Gallery, p., 8-12, 2017

Workshops of the World : 1000 Degrees Glass Studio, Garland Magazine, Issue 6, 2017

Aesthetics in a Time of Emergency, Simon Gregg, Garland Magazine, 2016

Aesthetics in a Time of Emergency, Catalogue Essay by Simon Gregg, Curator of Gippsland Art Gallery, 2016

Aesthetics in a Time of Emergency: Craft as political commentary, Kerry-Anne Cousins, The Canberra Times, June 6, 2016

100 Stories, Centenary 1914-2014, p., 97, Bounce Books, 2014

Australian Signatures: The National Art Glass Collection, Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, p., 124, 2013

Objetos Con Vidrio, January, 2011

Beautifully Bespoke, Vogue UK, October, 2010

SOFA Chicago, Craft Arts International, p., 72, #75, 2009

Ranamok Glass Prize 2008, Dan Klein, Craft Arts International, p., 98, #75, 2009

Ranamok Glass Prize 2007, Dr Norris Ioannou, Craft Arts International, p., 102, #72, 2008

25 Years Monash Glass, Stephan Crafti, The Age Newspaper, May 16, 2005

A Touch of Glass, Herald Sun Newspaper, September 25, 2004

2002 Shin Kong Mitsukoshi International Glass Arts Festival, Dr. Jerry King, Craft Arts International, p., 88-90, #56, 2002-03

Balgo Glass, Kristin McFarlane, Craft Culture, Craft Victoria, Vol.3, No.245, Summer, 3/2003

Balgo Glass, This Side Up, p., 14, 4/2002

The Next Generation, young designers get noisy, shine a light, Monument Architecture & Design, #44, p., 44, October/November, 2001

Empty Vessels Make the Most Meaningful Sound, Robert Nelson, Today Review, The Age Newspaper, January 31, 2001

| Collections |

National Art Glass Collection, Wagga Wagga Art Gallery Collection, NSW

Yarra Valley Grammar School Collection, Vic

Various private collections in Australia, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, France, USA, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand & Japan

| Professional Experience |

Current - Director of 1000 Degrees Studios, Cheltenham, Vic

Current - Director of Bespoke Awards, Cheltenham, Vic

2020, Subject Matter Expert, consultant for Designed Glass and Glazing Cert IV, Melbourne Polytechnic, Vic

2018, Curator of Guild{ }Home, Craft Cubed, Melbourne Festival of the Handmade 2018, 1000 Degrees Glass Studios, Cheltenham, Vic

2018, Judge of National Student Art Glass Prize, National Art Glass Collection, Wagga Wagga Regional Gallery, Nsw

2017, 2018, 2019, Creator of glass components for artist Jasmine Targett

2017, 2018, 2019, Creator of glass components for artist Lienors Torre

2017, Curator of Guild, 1000 Degrees Gallery, 1000 Degrees Glass Studio, Cheltenham, Vic

2016, Wheel Throwing workshop, Northcote Pottery, Northcote, Vic

2016, Creator of glass components forartist Lienors Torre

2016, Creator of glass components for artist Lisa Krivitsky

2014, Silvia Levenson : Paradoxes in Glass workshop, Pilchuck Glass School, Usa

2013, Established 1000 Degrees Studios | artists spaces | kiln forming | grinding & polishing, Cheltenham, Vic

2012, Spin Casting workshop with Richard Morrell, Morrell Art Glass, Castlemaine, Vic

2012, Flameworking workshop with Pauline Delaney, Melbourne, Vic

2010-2012, Studio Technician, Glass & Ceramic Studios, Department of Art & Design, Faculty of Art, Design & Architecture, Monash University, Vic

2011, Co-curator Media Specific, Faculty Gallery, Monash University, Vic

2011, Creator of glass components for Bless:Bless Windowgarden No.38, Craft Victoria, Vic

2009-2011, Creator of glass components for artist Daniel Armstrong

2010, Co-curator Tyro, Glass Plus Gallery, South Melbourne, Vic

2010, Mentor to Gabrielle Ashton, Royal Society of New Zealand Science, Maths, and Technology Awarded Teacher Fellow

2010, Associate Member, EOS Cluster, Department of Fine Art, Faculty of Art & Design, Monash University, Vic

2002 - Current, Various private & corporate commissions

Bathurst 1000 Car Race, Governor of Victoria Export Awards, Yellow Pages Business Ideas Grants, State of Design Festival - The Melbourne Prize, Toyota Australia & The Victorian Government, Victorian Racing Commission, World Education Program International, Pacific Asia Newspaper Publishing Association Newspaper of the Year Awards, Pacific Asia Newspaper Publishing Association Newspaper Marketing Awards, Savewater! Awards, Monash University Networking Groups, Monash University Distinguished Alumni Awards, Monash University Marketing Awards, Monash University MBA Leadership Forums, Monash University Viewpoint Debating Awards, Monash University Research Awards, EQI, The Mayflower Group, The Victorian Government Manufacturing Hall of Fame Awards & The University of Melbourne.

2008-2012, Ausglass Victorian State Representative

2002, Recipient of Ian Potter Foundation Cultural Grant for the purchase of new equipment to create a new body of work

2002, Established 1000 Degrees glass forming studio, Melbourne, Vic

2001, Selected to represent Monash University to speak at the Ausglass Student Seminar / Forum at the 12th Biennial Ausglass Conference, Melbourne

1998, Finalist in the Thomas Foundation Pilchuck Scholarship Competition, representing Monash University

1996, Glass Painting workshop with Graham Stone, Meat Market Craft Centre, North Melbourne, Vic

| Teaching Experience |

2021 - Current, Trainer, Investigate Glassworking Materials and Processes, Cert IV, Designed Glass and Glazing, Melbourne Polytechnic, Prahran, Vic

2021 - Current, Trainer, Experiment with Techniques to Produce Glasswork, Cert IV, Designed Glass and Glazing, Melbourne Polytechnic, Prahran, Vic

2021 - Current, Trainer, Refine Glassworking Techniques, Cert IV, Designed Glass and Glazing, Melbourne Polytechnic, Prahran, Vic

2020 - Current, Trainer, Fused & Formed Glass - Cert III, Designed Glass and Glazing, Melbourne Polytechnic, Prahran, Vic

2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, Workshop Tutor - Fusing & Slumping, Incinerator Gallery, Moonee Ponds, Vic

2021, Workshop Tutor - Fusing, Glaas Inc, Melbourne Polytechnic, Prahran, Vic

2017, Workshop Instructor, Warlayiriti Artists, working with indigenous artists to create glass panels for Desert, River, Sea project at Art Gallery of Western Australia in 2019, Balgo Hills, Wa

2001 - Current, Instructor of various glass fusing, slumping & casting short courses including Crystal Stubbs Glass Studio, The Stained Glass Shed, AEV, The Salvation Army Crisis Services - Young Women’s' Project, The Diocesan School for Girls New Zealand, Monash University & Incinerator Gallery

2008 - 2012 Sessional Lecturer, Glass Studio, Department of Fine Art, Faculty of Art, Design & Architecture, Monash University, Vic

2001 - 2008 Research Associate, Glass Studio, Department of Fine Art, Faculty of Art & Design, Monash University, Vic

2002 - 2003 Sessional Lecturer, Glass Studio, Department of Fine Art, Faculty of Art & Design, Monash University, Vic

2002, Workshop assistant, Warlayiriti Artists, working with indigenous artists to create glass coolamons and panels, Balgo Hills, Wa

2001 - 2012 Kiln Forming Short Course Instructor, Glass Studio, Department of Fine Art, Faculty of Art & Design, Monash University, Vic