Czech glass is very well known around the world and the tradition of Czech art glass is very strong. That is why we chose to present the artworks of two Czech artists, Oli Stankova and Pavel Cajthaml who are transfering this Czech tradition to Canada.

Oli Stankova has been working with glass since she was 14, and has developed a focus on glass painting. Her work has taken her to the South African Republic, where she worked in a glass studio and also exhibited her artworks. In the Czech Republic, she has partnered with Moser and Kolektiv studios. Her glassworks can be found in museums and private collections in the SAR, Netherlands, and the Czech Republic. Currently she lives and works in Québec, Canada.

Pavel Cajthaml has been producing high quality blown glass in the Baba Jaga Glassworks in Coaticook, Quebec, Canada since 2009. Growing up in Novy Bor, a Czech city renowned for its glass-making prowess, he studied at the College of Art and Glass Craft. He moved to Canda in 2001 to found his family, and opened a glass studio shortly after. His tableware collection reflects his desire to free up glass material using glassblowing techniques. Each object of the collection is as unique as it can possibly be. More information about the Baba Jaga Glassworks can be found here and on their Instagram page. 

Pavel Cajthaml also cooperates closely with several prestigious handmade lighting studios, such as Gabriel Scott, Atelier Anaka, D'Armes, lumifer by Javier Robles, AM Studio and with artists Stephen Pon and Paul Schwieder.

First, the art glass was presented to the diplomatic community and representatives of Ottawa galleries on Tuesday, April 26, at the residence of the Czech ambassador to Canada, Martin Tlapa, and on Wednesday, April 28, the exhibition was officially opened at the embassy.

Both at the opening at the residence and at the embassy, Ambassador M. Tlapa emphasized that Czech glassmakers succeed in excelling in the international field mainly thanks to their extraordinary skill and creativity. At the same time, he appreciated that both Czech artists spread awareness of Czech glassmaking in Canada and cooperate with Canadian partners.

In addition to art glass, oils and graphics by the Czech-Canadian Ansha Massé Cajthaml were also presented at the residence and the embassy. Canadian guitarist Vince Vertefeuille musically accompanied the presentation at the ambassador's residence.

At the embassy, the exhibition was expanded to include the ceramics of another Czech-Canadian, Tereza Černochová.

The exhibition will run until April 26, visits are possible Mondays - Thursdays between 3:30 ans 4:30 pm. Please ring the bell for the reception at the gate.