Rick Eggert: A Journey in Glass Art Rick Eggert has always been immersed in the creative arts. Born in Southampton, New York in 1974, Rick was encouraged by his parents through drawing and painting lessons, as well as access to a wood shop in the family's basement. A move to Vermont in the mid-1980s further fueled his artistic pursuits, leading to a scholarship at the Columbus College of Art and Design, where he discovered his passion for glass. Rick completed his BFA degree at The Rochester Institute of Technology and traveled extensively throughout the South Pacific, Australia, Asia, and the Caribbean, seeking inner growth and inspiration. After college, Rick worked with numerous institutions and private studios until 2005, when he relocated to South Florida and established his first studio. His isolation from other glassworkers ignited a desire to build a glass community in South Florida. This dream materialized when he established the glass program at the Benzaiten Center of Creative Arts in 2014. Rick served as the Creative Director until 2018, then initiated the Artist in Residence program by becoming its first resident. In 2020, Rick returned to working in his own studio in Stuart, FL. Since 2008, Rick has focused on his "Dynamic Cosmos" series, which remains his signature work. This series earned him the prestigious Niche Award in 2009 and has been exhibited in galleries across the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. His works have been displayed at renowned venues like the Melbourne Museum and the Imagine Museum, and are featured in private collections as well as the collections of Regent Cruise Lines and Seabourn Luxury Lines. Inspirations and Evolution in 2024 Rick’s excitement for new inspirations is palpable in 2024. "I am so excited for this summer! I’ve begun a journey to discover new inspirations by undergoing a self-imposed sabbatical to explore some of the other facets of life I find fascinating. I love my current body of work, but there is so much more to express. I spend the most amount of time possible in nature, where my mind can open up to fresh ideas." Evolution of Process In recent years, Rick has begun incorporating more metal into his work, especially for various commissions. However, his process is about to undergo a significant transformation. "My process is about to change completely as I’ll start making some cast work over the summer while the furnace is down. Casting glass manipulates it in a very different way by utilizing molds as opposed to freehanding molten glass to make my typical work. I’ve only had a chance to dabble with cast glass recently, so devoting several months feels like I won the lottery. Because cast glass is such a different technique, I’m more inspired by geological processes like how gems are formed and erosion. We’ll see where those interests lead." New Colors and Themes Diving into cast glass requires different approaches to incorporating color into his works. Rick is interested in a more monochromatic palette. "I’ve been interested in taking a more monochromatic approach so I may stick with a restricted palette for the time being." Living and Inspiration in South Florida Rick finds inspiration in the unique environment of South Florida. "I live in South Florida and love how it offers a surreal tranquility amongst a high density of folks—which I find an interesting contrast. I’ve been very inspired by the interplay of sunshine interacting with water, especially the shadows and reflections created within. There’s also nothing quite like the dance of lightning during a summer thunderstorm." A Perfect Day Rick’s perfect day is a blend of outdoor activities and relaxation. "My perfect day starts with kayaking the intracoastal or a walk on the beach followed by an afternoon chilling by the pool with a book or sketchpad. Grab a salad from the garden for dinner and relax with some tunes to round out the day. I’ve had plenty of days like that but I could handle a few more."Rick Eggert's journey through the world of glass art is a testament to his dedication, creativity, and continual evolution as an artist. His work continues to inspire and captivate audiences around the globe. Education2000 BFA, Glass Sculpture, Rochester Institute OfTechnology, Rochester, NY1992-94 Columbus College of Art &Design,Columbus, OH Awards2009 Niche Award; Winner, Blown Glass2008 Excellence Award, Brevard ArtMuseum, Annual Juried Exhibition,Melbourne, FL2006 1st Place 3D, 2nd Place Overall, Mary O’Fricke Art Show, Westhampton Beach, New York2000 Pilchuck Scholarship, Rochester Institute of Technology1999 Sil Hall Award for Outstanding Achievement, Rochester Institute of TechnologyExhibitions2012 Solo Show, Studio E Gallery, Palm Beach Gardens, FL2011 “Sacred Animals”, “Abstracted Florida”, Watson McRae Gallery, Sanibel Island, FL2009 “SOFA Chicago”, T. Riley Gallery, Chicago, IL – “Glass Weekend”, T. Riley Gallery, Wheaton Village, New Jersey“Looking Forward”, W. Traver Gallery, Tacoma, WA“Palm Beach 3”, T. Riley Gallery, Palm Beach, FL2008 “Art Basel Miami”, Chialma Gallery, Miami, FL“Annual Juried Exhibition” Brevard Art Museum, Melbourne, FL“Chialma Lifestyle”, Chialma Gallery, Miami, FLFeatured Artist, Navigazione Gallery, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin2000 “Thesis Exhibition”, Mill Gallery, Honeyoye Falls, NY 1995, 1999 “Honors Exhibition”, Rochester Institute of Technology, New York