The Phoenix Award Committee is a distinguished organization dedicated to recognizing individuals and organizations that embody resilience, excellence and transformative impact within the Glass Industry. Named after the mythical phoenix, which rises from its ashes to symbolize renewal and strength, the committee’s awards celebrate those who have overcome challenges or contributed significantly to the industries betterment.
The committee’s mission is to recognise an individual who has made a significant contribution to the Glass Industry. This contribution could be in the field of science, production or education relating to glass. The nomination process is through, emphasizing integrity, innovation, and the lasting impact of nominees’ contributions. Candidates may come from diverse fields, including arts, education, business, and manufacturing, reflecting the committee’s commitment to honouring a wide spectrum of achievements.
Recipients of the Phoenix Glass Person of the Year award are often celebrated through formal ceremonies, where their inspiring stories are shared with the committee members. Through its work, the Phoenix Award Committee embodies a culture of appreciation and positive change, serving as a symbol of inspiration in an ever-evolving world.
The most recent winner of the Phoenix Glass Person of the Year 2024 award, Karen LaMonte received the award at a ceremony in Prague, Czechia, October 2024. A country renowned for its contributions to both the artistic and industrial realms of glass.
Karen LaMonte is a contemporary American artist renowned for her evocative sculptures that explore themes of identity, beauty, and the human form. Best known for her life-sized glass dresses, LaMonte’s work examines the interplay between absence and presence, often using clothing as a metaphor for the body and identity. Her sculptures, crafted in materials such as cast glass, bronze, and ceramic, capture intricate details of fabric and form, creating ghostly impressions that invite reflection on human fragility and societal constructs. LaMonte’s art is celebrated globally, with pieces housed in major museum collections and exhibitions worldwide.
LaMonte’s “Floating World” series uses the kimono to explore ideas of culture, perception, identity and beauty. To profound effect, her “Nocturnes” series delves into themes of night and absence, using the interplay of shadow and form to deepen the dialogue on femininity and the ethereal. Most recently, she has turned her focus to weather, using the unexpected physicality of clouds to connect natural forms with human themes.
Her commitment extends beyond the studio. LaMonte is a leader in environmental sustainability, consistently working to ensure her practice is carbon-negative. Her innovative collaborations with climatologists to create sculptures based on real weather data emphasize her dedication to blending art with environmental consciousness.
Karen LaMonte’s relentless pursuit of excellence and her profound influence on the art of glassmaking set her apart as a source of inspiration for artists worldwide. Her recognition as The Glass Person of the Year is not only a nod to her artistic achievements, but also to her role as a vanguard in the ongoing dialogue between art and nature.