Tony Theriault is a prominent glass worker in the Alberni Valley and featured artist of the Arts Council.
Originally from Victoria, Tony first arrived in Port Alberni during the mid 90’s as a Tsunami Swim Coach. He left for a short while only to return back in 2005 to purchase a home. Tony has received his bachelor of sciences from the University of Idaho on an athletic scholarship for track and field/cross country. As for his glass work he has been playing around with it since 1992!
Tony had also spent some time on Prince Edward Island and created works to sell in the local gift shops and craft fairs. Currently, Tony works in a little space in the lower level of his home, known as “the storage area”, where things can often get messy due to working on several projects at once! But Tony can also enjoy the days where he can gather up his materials and work away outside, accompanied by his dogs and the sunshine.
Tony’s work has a whimsical west coast vibe that is eye-catching and fun to look at, ”I tend to enjoy projects that can be completed in days rather than weeks. I’ve drifted more towards suncatchers and small framed pieces, as well as glass that can be displayed or mounted on Beachwood, live edge, plant stakes, or 2D and 3D pieces.” Tony tends to enjoy projects that can be completed in a few days rather than weeks, as he employs the copper foil technique which is a very labor intensive method. “From designing your template, cutting and grinding your individual glass pieces, copper foiling, soldering, adding patina, and finally polishing before they are ready to hang or mount.” He enjoys the process of making something from start to finish, especially on the days where everything seems to fall into place, and seemingly impossible cuts are made. There are days when he has three bandages on three separate fingers!
A few of the inspirations for Tony’s work comes from our amazing environment, his travels from over the years, the texture and color of the glass itself, and his friends asking, “have you ever made a..?”.
You can find Tony’s work here at The Grove, Blue Fish Gallery, and The Riverbend Café. Be sure to Follow him on his Facebook Page Heron Rock, or Instagram @heronrockglassworks. If you are interested in contacting him you can reach him at heronrockglassworks@gmail.com.
