ART GLASS PAPERWEIGHT COLLECTION (4)
Assembled grouping of four signed art glass paperweights including Robert Held and Mark Gibeau. All with etched signature.
Size: 3.25 in. (and smaller)

Mark Gibeau
Mark Gibeau is a prolific Alberta glass artist, best known for his ‘Face Series’ of large, bold, free form vessels with abstract faces in the glass. His work is inspired by prehistoric imagery and symbolism of the Americas. Gibeau employs a unique process of dropping hot glass into sand molds, creating solid pieces with a large scale and textured finish. Gibeau received his first training in glass blowing at Red Deer College’s summer program, and in 1987, majored in Glass at the Alberta College of Art and Design. He went on to instruct at ACAD, Red Deer College, and Pilchuk Glass Studio. Gibeau’s work has been exhibited internationally, and he still operates from his studio in Strathmore. 

Robert Held (Skookum Art Glass)
Robert Held was born in Santa Ana, CA, and received a Masters in Fine Arts from the University of California. Upon graduating, he was offered a position as Head of Ceramics at the Sheridan College School of Design. After discovering a love of glassblowing, Held launched Canada’s first college level hot glass program in 1969.This program opened the door for many skilled Canadian glass artists, and led to Robert Held being known as a pioneer of art glass in Canada.

Eventually he left his teaching role, and in 1978 Held opened his first glass studio, known as Skookum Art Glass Inc, based out of Calgary, AB. He operated there until 1987, when he moved to Vancouver, BC, and began working under his new studio, Robert Held Art Glass. Early pieces are signed ‘Skookum’, while pieces from the Vancouver studio are typically signed ‘RHAG’. Some of his works are inspired by the paintings of famous artists such as Monet and Klimt, while others take inspiration from photographers or even interior designers. Robert Held’s collections range in style from classic to contemporary, and his work is exhibited internationally.