Wilson Creek glassblower Jan Benda has reason to smile when he looks around his airy, bright showroom these days. His business, Krystyna Glass, has recently been nominated in the category of best new store in the 2006 top retailers competition, sponsored by the glossy American magazine, Niche.The full colour magazine is an exclusive retail trade publication that features fine art and craft. For the award program, more than 18,000 professional fine craft artists across North America nominated nearly 700 galleries, retail stores, arts non-profits, museums and guilds in various categories. The local glassblowing store is one of the few Canadian outlets to be nominated.
Although Benda has been actively working on the Coast since the 1980s, his new showroom was opened just last July."It took me 10 years to get it finished," he laughs, as he did most of the construction himself between sessions at the furnaces producing his creations and time spent shipping them across North America. The 500 square foot showroom has a high, eight-foot ceiling and track lighting designed to give it a bright, roomy look.Benda's wife and glass blowing assistant, Krystyna, says that customers often tell her the room has a relaxing feel about it. On display is the Czech-born artist's line of vases, ornaments, bowls and perfume bottles. New this year are free form, two-tone vases and sculptural paperweights in unique designs.
The business has previously earned other awards for best small display at gift show exhibitions.
Niche magazine will announce the winners at a ceremony in Philadelphia this weekend.
