Grant Garmezy

Grant Garmezy Biography

Born on a farm outside Nashville Tennessee, Grant Garmezy began his artistic career as an apprentice to metal and jewelry fabricator Ben Caldwell. He went on to apprentice with Alan LeQuire, a renowned figurative sculptor who became one of his earliest influences. In 2003 Grant traveled to Richmond, Virginia to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University. While in the Craft/Material Studies program, he studied under Jack Wax, a furnace worker, and Emilio Santini, flame worker. In 2006, Garmezy learned advanced sculpting techniques from Scott Darlington at Pilchuck Glass School.

In the summer of 2006 Grant attended Haystack Mountain School of Crafts where he studied under Claire and Anthony Schafermeyer. During the summer of 2007, Garmezy traveled to Pennsylvania to attend a class taught by Ross Richmond at the Pittsburgh Glass Center. In 2008 Grant was awarded the International North Lands Creative Glass Residency in Scotland. While at North Lands, Grant developed a body of experimental sculptural work, while presenting demonstrations and lectures about his craft. While there, he was awarded the Benno Schotoz Award through The Royal Scottish Academy for most promising young sculptor in the UK. In 2010 Grant was awarded the Teaching Assistant Position for the Karen Willenbrink and Jasen Johnsen class at Pilchuck Glass School. In 2011-12 Grant was awarded a spot as an assistant at the new Chrysler Museum of Glass Hot Shop. Grant lives and works out of Richmond Virginia.

Grant Garmezy Statement

For the past ten years I have been making sculptural glass objects with the intention of pushing the boundaries of glass sculpting to create something new and original. My most recent pieces are re-creations of familiar animal images that bring out human emotion and expression through movement and personality. By using these familiar images, I’m able to take my viewers into a scene where the relationship between human and animal becomes blurred. My work dances between subtle unconscious gestures that show intent and hidden motivation.