Biography
Born October 1953 in San Francisco, Christopher Smith moved to British Columbia in 1970. Because of the circumstances that brought Chris to Canada, he assumed the name of D. Michael McRae. He began working in stained glass in 1975, employed as an apprentice to Thomas B. Shields at the Glass Head Studio in Nelson B.C. This studio was primarily concerned with religious stained glass restoration and residential stained glass design and fabrication.
Also in 1975, Chris (aka D. Michael) spent a semester at the Alberta College of Art, studying glass blowing under the direction of Norman Faulkner. He moved to Nanaimo in 1976, and studied art history at Malaspina College. As D. Michael McRae he exhibited at the 1983, '85 and '88 B.C. Festival of the Arts showcase gallery 'Images and Objects'. He also was an invited participant in 'Glass Act' 1 and 2 at the Fort Langley Centennial Museum and was an exhibitor with Fabric Artist Elaine Duncan at the Old School House Gallery.
He opened the original Glaskrafter Art Glass Studio in Nanaimo in 1977. The Studio relocated to Lantzville in 1986. That same year the Canadian Government granted Christopher Landed Immigrant status. In 1991 he moved his studio to its present location behind his home on the edge of Nanoose Bay. Glaskrafter Art Glass is one of the oldest established art glass studios on Vancouver Island and provides a full range of services, from repairing broken French doors to complete design and consultation work with clients, interior designers and architects, resulting in glass work very specific to site and client. Christopher became a Canadian Citizen in 2002
Chris has taught many classes in both stained glass and sandblasting glass and glass fusing and slumping techniques. He was an Instructor at Malaspina College, North Island College and the Nelson School District. He also spent a rewarding ten years (starting in 1996) working with selected Grade 12 students at Nanaimo District Secondary, helping them design and build stained glass windows for their new library and scattering stained glass windows and fused glass panels throughout the school. He now holds private classes and workshops primarily at his studio.
Although commissioned work keeps him pretty busy, Chris does show new work in his own gallery , The Gallery at Mattick's Farm, Cordova Bay, Side Street Studio in Victoria, the Old School House Gallery in Qualicum Beach and the Comox Valley Art Gallery Gift Store. The Glaskrafter’s commissioned work can also be found in places as distant and diverse as Singapore, Malta, Denmark, Osaka, the Yukon, England, and Cumberland.
Since 1975, Chris has been learning new ways to manipulate glass as well as constantly improving and refining his craft. With this growth in technique has come a growing understanding of glass as art. Beginning with traditional stained and leaded glass, Christopher has been doing serious work with plate glass, creating his unique Light Sculptures, one-of-a-kind glass tables and sculptural glass furniture. Sand carving and bending plate glass salmon and mounting the glass on lacquered river rock and creating mixed media sculpture using glass, steel, wood and beach aggregate. He’s also creating sandblasted heron and salmon sconce lamps and fused and cast glass sculpture and functional forms.
Creative development and the art of learning Art goes on.
note: Artist's photo is 15 years old. He is much more handsome now!
EXHIBITIONS
2009
Meltdown; the 9th Biennial B.C. Glass Art Exhibition
Hy Aisenstadt Contemporary Arts Studio, Simon Fraser University
Vancouver, B.C.
2008
The Old School House Gallery 20th Anniversary Exhibition
Exhibition featuring the work of Gallery resident Artists & First Year exhibitors
The Old School House Art Gallery and Exhibition Centre,
Qualicum Beach, B.C.
2000
Throwing Stones from a Glass House: Solo Exhibition
The Old School House Art Gallery and Exhibition Centre,
Qualicum Beach, B.C.
1993
Expressions of Celebration: Invitational Exhibition
Nanaimo Art Gallery,
Nanaimo, B.C.
1992
Light Cycles: Solo Exhibition, Nanaimo Art Gallery,
Nanaimo, B.C.
1992
More Magic: Invitational Exhibition of BC glass artists
Craft house, Granville Island,
Vancouver, B.C.
1991
Winter Lights: Invitational Group Exhibition
The Old School House Gallery,
Qualicum Beach, B.C.
1990
Cutting Edge: Solo Exhibition, Rollin Art Centre,
Port Alberni, B.C.
1990
Light Impressions: Group Exhibition with Chuck St. John and Robert MacRae
The Old School House Gallery,
Qualicum Beach, B.C.
1989
Images and Objects VII: Juried Exhibition of BC arts
BC Festival of Arts,
Chilliwack, B.C.
1988
Echoed Shapes: Joint Exhibition with Elaine Duncan
The Old School House Gallery,
Qualicum Beach, B.C.
1988
Images and Objects VI: Juried Exhibition of BC arts, BC Festival of Arts,
Kimberly, B.C.
1988
Glass Act II: Invitation Exhibition of BC glass artists, Fort Langley Centennial
Museum & Exhibition Centre,
Fort Langley, B.C.
1988
Pacific Coast Regional Arts Council Show of Fine Arts and Crafts:
Juried Exhibition - Award Winner
Nanaimo, B.C.
1986
Images and Objects IV: Juried Exhibition of BC arts
BC Festival of the Arts,
Prince George, B.C.
Commissions of Note
2002
Glass Sails- Fairwinds Centre
Nanoose Bay, B.C.
Two 8 ft tall x 5 ft 3/8" glass sail shapes, bent to shape and mounted in masts and booms
With sandblasted scenes from the local area (Heron and gulls, fir and cedar trees and islands and distant mainland mountains.)
2002
Fused Glass Sunburst-Inset in Cedar dome built by Sculptor Francois Mongeau
Hosenka Place, Retirement Complex
Osaka, Japan
6 fused and slumped ‘flame’ glass panels approx. 2.5 ft x 3.75ft and
One ‘sun’ fused and slumped 3-ft hemisphere.
Stained Glass ‘Water & Air’ window and entryway rose arch windows as well.
1985-2003
Memorial Stained Glass Windows
Ecumenical Centre: Trinity Catholic & Trinity United Church
Nanaimo B.C.
6 windows, approx. 7 ft tall x 2.5 ft wide, Main church
5 sandblasted windows in vestibule and 6 stained glass windows in the meeting hall.
3 sandblasted windows, Priest’s office
1996-7
Unrau Residence
Nanoose Bay B.C.
14,000 sq. ft private residence with leaded glass through out.
7 windows, 2 French doors: solarium,
2 –8 ft arched top French doors and 10 cabinet door leaded lights: kitchen
3 French doors, 4 leaded windows, 6 bar cabinet leaded lights, 6 cabinet door leaded lights, 1 light cover: bar and games room.
2 arched top French doors: bonus room
Leaded cabinet door lights in guest and pool bathrooms, ensuite bath and guest kitchen.
1988 & 2001
St Phillip’s by the Sea, Anglican Church
Lantzville, B.C.
1st Stained Glass window, 8 ft. x 3 ft in original church 1988
2nd Stained Glass window to match up with 1st window on move to new building in 2001.