National Glass Centre

On Saturday 4 June, Grainne Sweeney wrote:

James and Rachel from mima left this morning.

Sarah was up early to spend the day seeing some art - her plan was to see the Giardini Pavilions and the exhibitions on San Georgio.

I'd arranged to meet Colin Davison at the gallery - he's here with Rashida (Globe gallery) and he very kindly agreed to interrupt his break to take some install photos for me. We do have some from Francesco here, but it doesn't hurt to get more. Colin was taking pictures of his pictures that feature in Rose's STORYBOARD.

Rashida and I were able to enjoy a coffee break on the bench outside the gallery and catch up about a Canadian artist Shelley Ouellet that she's developing a project with. Shelley's "sculptures" include a series of glass and plastic bead curtains.

Rose and Martha popped by the gallery and headed off again to see the Karla Black.

Caterina had some collectors visit - she took them out to lunch. Sergio is off today - I'm in the gallery alone!

Very busy with visitors, the buzzer was going constantly. I wasn't able to speak to everyone but I did manage to say hello to Lucy Byatt from the Contemporary Arts Society.

Keren Orr, an artist who studied at Wolverhampton, is currently living in Murano.

Ari Wiseman, Deputy Director of the Guggenheim in New York, who offered congratulations. He stayed for quite some time.

Mariam Sharpe, a fellow Clore fellow and Judith Robinson, from Plymouth museums.

Caterina came back. I left to run an errand and bumped into Liliane Lijn near S. Angelo - lovely surprise. Liliane came along to the preview.

One of the last visitors of the day - Emily-Jane Kirwan, Director with Pace, NY.

End of the day meeting with Caterina, Kate Brindley, James and Fulvia (Claire Fontaine) and Sarah.

Joined Lucy Byatt and Kate for drinks in Campo San Stefano with an Italian curator friend of Caterina's. Caterina took Lucy off to a dinner party.

Back to the Lido for an early evening supper - it's only 9.30pm! Rose and Martha came by with a bottle of prosecco!