Laura Quinn is an Irish designer and glassblower. In 2015 she graduated from the National College of Art and Design in Dublin with a BA (hons) in Glass Design, as well as a BA (hons) in Art History and Design.

After graduating she worked in the Corning Museum of Glass teaching the public how to make their own glass objects. By the end of 2015 she had also completed her internship in Olustvere Glass Studio in Estonia where she spent 3 months working as a glass blowing assistant.

In 2016 her journey brought her to Gloucestershire in England where she worked under a master glass blower in LoCo Glass Studio. Here she developed a love of making glass within the production setting.

Working in various studios around the world raised questions for Laura about the use of glass with other materials. This was the inspiration for the research she undertook during her MA in 3D Design Crafts in Arts University Plymouth (formerly Plymouth College of Art) where she graduated from with distinction in 2019.

Since 2020 Laura has been working as the Glass Technical Tutor at the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham, Surrey. With only a hand full of places remaining in the UK and Ireland to learn glassblowing at university level, being involved in teaching the next generation of glass artists is very important to her.

In summer 2024 Laura’s expanded home studio will open where she will expand her creative practice, and teach both one-to-one and group classes. The public will also be welcome to visit. More information coming soon.

Rethink what we know about glass.

Laura creates a variety of work from interactive glass sculptures, to lighting, to wearable art and functional designs. Most of her work is inspired and driven by her fascination with innovation of the material. Using a combination of digital technologies and alternative materials with traditional glass making, Laura seeks to push the perceived boundaries of glass. Through use of modular and interchangeable design her pieces become highly bespoke and offer the user a wide range of design possibilities. The movement given to the pieces through use of soft materials such as silicon rubber and repurposed leather allow the glass to become more durable and easily repairable. The pieces she has created have come from research into sustainable design and craft design and seek to bring the user closer to the material. Laura is passionate in encouraging the user to rethink what they know about glass, and instead learn how to care, use and reuse the pieces so that they can last a lifetime, or several.

Laura’s work is regularly shown at high profile international exhibitions including the Ireland Glass Biennale 2019 & 2023, the British Glass Biennale 2022 & 2024, Collect 2020 and Collect Open 2024 and Biot International Festival of Glass 2024. In 2022 Tacit Breath was acquired for Ulster Museum’s permanent collection and is on display for the public to see. Some of the artists proudest achievements includes winning two of Ireland’s most prestigious arts awards; The Golden Fleece Award and the RDS Craft Bursary, and becoming a Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust scholar in 2022.