The Northlands Creative Glass master class

Lybster in Catithness at the very north of Scotland is a charming village that houses the North Lands Creative Glass (www.northlandsglass.com), a place of excellence in furthering the art of glass.

I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend three of their master classes, to further my own creative potential by working with masters and glass artists from all over the world.

‘A Particulate Language’ led by Catharine Newell, June 2010. We worked with powders on Bullseye glass sheets that were layered to create remarkable 3D images in black-white and in colour.

'Color and Transparency' led by Kaffe Fassett and Steve Klein, September 2009. I explored ways of displaying flowers using glass translucency, color and light.

‘Tradition and Innovation’ led by Jiri Harkuba and April Surgent, September 2008. We used diamond wheels to engrave, carve out and etched panels of glass to achieve images.

Exhibitions and Events

Workshop in glass art

April 2009 - MedulinArt art and cultural society was formed and has started functioning with a program of artistic and cultural events. As a part of the program a two-day workshop in glass art held at the Studio Valerija. The workshop was attended by 5 women from the local community in Medulin. Participants made a range of glass jewellery and leaded glass panels. This is one of planned workshops that is supported by the Medulin council. Future workshops are planned to include leadded glass and kiln formed glass.

A workshop in colaque on board was held under instruction from Branka Grlic. The workshop gave an opportunity to local artists to experience different ways of painting and drawing.

Deeside Art Group exhibition July 2008 in West Kirby, UK. As a member of this art group Istra contributed a painting 'The kite' created in acrylic on board. This work reflects on pass time activities at West Kirby seaside showing energy and colour.

The Cornerstone Gallery in Liverpool July 2008. Theaching the Eye to See - 10 years of art group at Liverpool Hope University. I have persented five pieces of work inspired by my visit to a Tibetan community in North India. This work shows the colour, texture and content of an Indian garden created in acrylic paint on canvas with inserted kiln formed glass.

Workshop in glass jewellery at Studio Valerija in Medulin, Croatia. This 2-day workshop was attended by six beginner participants from the local community. Participants made a range of kiln formed glass pendant and tiles.


December 2008 - a workshop in glass art held at the Studio Valerija for the local community in Medulin. Two - day workshop was attended by 5 women and girls most had no previous experience in working with glass. Participants made a range of glass jewellery and table ware. This is one of planned workshops that is supported by the Medulin council. Future workshops are planned to include glass panels, leadded glass and kiln formed glass.
A workshop in colaque on board was held under instruction from Branka Grlic. The workshop gave an opportunity to local artists to experience different ways of painting and drawing.

December 2008 Istra exhibited as a solo artist under title 'Man and his culture'. The exhibition was held at Medulin (Croatia) council gallery and was supported by the Medulin council and ULIKS the society for creative artists and writers of Pula.

Art and psychology of being - workshop in self discovery

Studio Valerija, Medulin in Croatia 5th – 7th December 2008 If you feel you could have achieved more this year, but you never had the time this 3-day tester workshop will give you the opportunity to try out or further new skills in glass art. During the workshop we will be creating our own designs and making glass jewellery ready for the end of the year gifts. In addition you will learn some basic skills in fusing and kiln forming glass, and leading a small glass panel. You will be working with five other like minded budding artists in a friendly and encouraging environment. By the end of this workshop with our support every one will make a piece or two to be proud off. There will be time for some site seeing and socialising. The cost of materials and tuition is £200. We will organise reasonable priced local accommodation for you and your partner. Istra Toner (BA art & design) and Lily Lorenzin (a member of Pula art society ULIKS) will facilitate this workshop. For booking and information please contact us on istratoner@fsmail and istratoner@googlemail.com