Louise and Colin Hawkins have their own studio in the heart of Cirencester which they opened in June 2000. Louise studied design at Goldsmiths College in London, after which she took the one year Glass Techniques and Technology course at the International Glass Centre, Brierley Hill. Colin trained in glass at Sunderland University and the Royal College of Art in London. They formed LoCo Glass in 1998 and assisted in various studios before winning the Broadfield House Scholarship in 1999.
The Work

LoCo Glass has a fresh and innovative approach to glassmaking, whether it be special commissions, interior accessories or production runs of functional pieces. "We aim to make work that is forward thinking, exciting glass for the modern interior with an emphasis on creative design and skilled craftsmanship. Each piece is hand blown without the use of moulds, and made in their characteristic style, using a variety of both traditional and modern techniques.
The Studio
The studio sits quietly in amongst other craftworkers, 18 in total at the nationally recognised Brewery arts certre. Brewery Arts is already acclaimed as a centre of excellence for Crafts in the South West. Their exciting and ambitious plans, which include complete refurbishment of the old buildings, new arts and education facilities for families and children and access for the disabled, will transform Cirencester into a national jewel in the arts and crafts crown. January 2007 sees the start of the long awaited redevelopment which is expected to take 12 months. The craft shop and craftworkers are still open for business as usual in the Nicoll Centre adjacent to the Brewery. Loco Glass are in the same space as before and their doors are still open for demonstrations, sales and commissions