Rebecca Heap

At just six years old, Rebecca Heap saw an artist working with hot glass, and was instantly captivated. This passion remained with her, even through other forays into the horticultural industry and teaching work. After dabbling in fusing, casting and flamework, she took a leap of faith in 2003 and became a glassblower, studying for a three year Diploma in Glass Design and Production at Whanganui Unicol. In her last year of studies, Rebecca was awarded a scholarship to attend The Glass Term at Pukeberg Design School in Sweden. This was part of the European Erasmus exchange program, and thus a glassmaking OE began. After the initial scholarship, Rebecca was taken on as an apprentice at Pukeberg Glasbruk, spending 18 months making production glass work, as well as prototyping and glass blowing for other artists. A move to Orrefors Glass followed, as a student and a tutor. Returning to New Zealand in 2011, Rebecca set up her own studio and cold working shop in Auckland, and blows glass using the hot shop in Whangarei. Her work is informed by the local environment, and linked to the great heritage of blown glass she experienced while overseas.