Something very special and life-changing happens when people experience working with melted glass for the first time. It ignites a spark.
At Nova Earth Institute (NEI), we treasure this spark. Our mission is to develop opportunities for both the general public and creative professionals to experience this magic in person—right here in our studio in Motovun, Croatia, and through connections abroad.
This summer, we are launching Summer of Glass, an intensive research and network-building expedition. Our goal is simple but ambitious: to bring the magic of glass to a wider audience by expanding our educational programs, establishing a creative residency, and representing Croatia at Europe’s top art glass events.
Sharing the Magic: The couple in the first photo was on their honeymoon and wanted to create memories to last a lifetime. The young gentleman in the second photo had just fallen in love with glass in Venice, and his parents found our studio where he could develop that spark. The third photo is Alysia working with the phenomenal Encaustic artist, Kate Santucci, as she tests out a new medium as part of our first mini artist residency endeavor last year.
The Plan: A Summer of Research, Connection, and Growth
This isn't just a trip; it's an investment in the long-term cultural infrastructure of our local arts community. We want to upgrade our offerings, moving beyond single-session workshops to serious artistic development opportunities for local residents and students.
The First Stop is England (London, Manchester, and St. Helens): This stop is about learning new techniques, mastering old ones, and building a network of global artists, manufacturers, and suppliers.
Learning New Techniques: We're sending Alysia to attend a specialized workshop at SONG Art and Craft in London to learn the intricate technique of creating glass flowers. Crucially, we will also be studying their teaching methodology to adapt this complex skill for beginners. Upon return, NEI will launch a new "Glass Flowers" module in our permanent curriculum at Elemental Studios.
Mastering Old Techniques: Next up is a masterclass in solid and blown techniques in borosilicate glass with Agustina Ros in Manchester. A chance to refine old skills and find inspiration for a new multi-day workshop offering to be part of Elemental Studios' Fall offerings.
Network-Building: From August 27-31, St. Helens will be the hub of the International Festival of Glass. A place to network with other artists, building relationships for future collaborations and guest instructor experiences, as well as with industry manufacturers and suppliers to ensure our students have the best resources.
The Second Stop is Venice: This stop is all about network-building and absorbing inspiration at Venice Glass Week, happening September 12-20.
Network-Building: Another opportunity to meet some of the current masters and up-and-coming talent in the glass world, with the chance to build relationships for future shared endeavors.
International Competition Debut: For the first time, NEI will enter the international Your Bead for Venicecompetition. If we are one of the 20 finalists, our bead will be on display at the Murano Museum of Glass as part of Venice Glass Week. This puts our studio on the global map.
The Impact: Why This Matters
You might be wondering, "Why fund a trip?" Because the return on investment isn't about us...it's about lighting a spark and changing the lives of those we bring this work back to.
For the Student: Your support directly funds the development of new workshops that will be available to our local and global community, with the goal of developing relationships with local school programs to offer an introduction to glass at an early age.
For the Artist: Your support lays the groundwork for the development of a 2-4 week artist residency program. A program designed to expose artists from around the world to a medium, fostering a cross-pollination of ideas that benefits all involved.
For the Community: You are supporting a studio that aims to host guest instructors who bring global expertise to Motovun, Croatia.
Where Your Donation Goes (Budget Breakdown)
We believe in total transparency. Your contribution directly funds the specific costs required to bring this knowledge back to Croatia.
$250 covers a 3-hour Glass Flowers Workshop at SONG Art and Craft.
$1,000 covers the 4-day masterclass with Augustina Ros
$250 covers the development and submission of our entry for Your Bead for Venice
$2,000 covers meals, lodging, and transportation for the England leg
$1,500 covers meals, lodging, and transportation for the Venice leg for two people
Want to help us with a bit more inspiration?
$600 covers a 2-hour Glass Blowing Workshop at WAVE Murano Glass for two people
$150 covers various museum and event entry fees
$250 lets us stretch our wings and play with some more expensive materials as part of our entry for the Your Bead for Venice Competition
Meet the Team
Summer of Glass is architected by Alysia Kampf (she can do that...she is actually an Architect), the primary glass artist and educational director at Elemental Studios. As the lead instructor, Alysia is personally undertaking the training in the UK to ensure the new curriculum meets the highest international standards.
She will be joined in Venice by Lawrence Kampf, who will assist with networking and sourcing materials. Traveling light, we minimize overhead costs while maximizing our impact, ensuring a strong professional presence in the international field without inflating the budget.
NEI Team in their elements...Alysia Kampf at the torch and Lawrence Kampf pouring tea.
Join Us
We are inviting you to be part of The Spark. Whether you donate $25 or $250, you are helping us build a bridge between the global glass community and our local studio in Croatia. Let’s make this summer count.
Rewards
The Spark
Donate $10.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
Supporters at this level will receive a heartfelt thank you on our social media channels, celebrating you as a supporter of the Summer of Glass initiative.
The Flame
Donate $50.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
Supporters at this level receive, in addition to a heartfelt thank you on our social media channels, your name listed on the "Summer of Glass Supporters" page on the Elemental Studios website for one year.
The Kiln
Donate $100.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
Supporters at this level receive all previous rewards, plus a digital "Postcard from the Road" – a curated photo journal entry sent via email from either Murano or St. Helens, sharing a specific insight gained that day
The Masterwork
Donate $250.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
Supporters at this level receive all previous rewards plus exclusive access to a Virtual Event upon return, featuring a presentation of the competition entry, photos from the trips, and a preview of new workshops coming to Elemental Studios.
