18 Mar 2016 21:40
Tags bernadetteconnolly museumassistant museumcoordinator museumstaff tinagormer
The museum now has a coordinator and assistant to welcome our visitors. Both Bernadette Connolly, the new coordinator, and Tina Gormer, the new assistant, started work on Monday. After an intensive first week of preparation, the museum is ready to open on Saturday, 19th March at 10 am. The museum director invited Bernadette and Tina to introduce themselves and they have kindly provided a few words about their backgrounds.
Bernadette Connolly
Newly arrived to the Isle of Wight from Cardiff, Wales, graduated with a BA in Art Practice & Film Studio, followed by work in independent film and a role in Arts Administration, Bernadette is delighted to be part of this wonderful new venture which is the Isle of Wight Glass Museum.
Originally from Ireland, educated in Fine Art at Cork's School of Art, with further studies in animation and theatre, she undertook a variety of roles in theatre from set painting and dressing to set design and stage managing. While at the Irish Theatre Archive she helped present archive material as part of their exhibition programme.
Travel in Italy, the Czech Republic and Spain teaching English as a foreign language eventually led her via Cardiff to the beautiful Isle of Wight, her new home.
Bernadette is very excited by the prospect of sharing with its visitors in the enjoyment of the Glass Museum's collections and discovering the Islands rich heritage and contemporary practice in glass art.
Tina Gormer
Tina was born in Bristol, UK but moved to the Island in 1968 when her parents bought a hotel in Sandown. After leaving school she embarked on a career in tourism and worked in Spain as an overseas representative on the Costa Brava and Gran Canaria.
On returning from Spain she worked at Regent Travel in Shanklin before going into retail with her husband and built up a portfolio of eight gift shops around the Island.
Twenty years later Tina found herself on a plane once again to the Costa del Sol where she returned to work as a tour guide for different holiday companies. Later she set up her own property lettings and maintenance company, which she ran for ten years.
Returning to the Island in 2009 Tina worked for Warner Leisure at Bembridge Coast Hotel. After five years she felt it was time for a change and as she had always admired Isle of Wight Studio Glass jumped at the chance to join the team.