Jeff Goodman blowing at Harbourfront Centre in 1986.
On March 22, 2012, Canadian glass artist Jeff Goodman died of complications related to cancer. An instructor at Sheridan College, a mentor and advisor at Harbourfront Centre, a board member for the Ontario Craft Council and for the Glass Art Association of Canada, he was also principal at Jeff Goodman Studio. According to an article on the GAAC Website: he “remained a man of boundless energy and positive attitude. He embodied that magic combination of vision and practicality that has made him so admired in our community. He proved that we can dream big and then do it, and by doing so with grace and goodwill he reminded us how we might do the same.”
The biography section of the company Website for Jeff Goodman Studio includes the following text:
Growing up on Canada’s west coast, Jeff always felt intimately connected to nature. The mountains, trees and ocean inspired his imagination. His hands were his creative tools and he thought wood was his medium. Chasing his dream of building wooden boats, Jeff travelled to Ontario to be part of Sheridan College’s woodworking program. The school forced him to choose a second medium as part of the curriculum, so he picked glass on a whim.
His work is sold through a number of galleries in Canada and the U.S., including:- Galerie Elena Lee, 1460 Sherbrooke Ouest, Montréal, Quebec, H3G 1K4 Phone: 514.844.6009
- Lafreniere & Pai Gallery, 13 Murray Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 9M5 Phone: 613.241.2767
- Ian Tan Gallery, 2202 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC, V6H 4H7, Phone: 604.738.1077
- Stephen Lowe Gallery, West Market Square #509, Scirocco Drive, SW, Calgary, AB T3H 4R5 403.453.1603
- A Gallery, 73-956 El Paseo, Palm Desert, California, 92260 Phone: 760. 346. 8885
- Morgan Gallery, 5833 Ellsworth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15232, Phone: 412.441.5200
- Pismo Contemporary Art Glass, 2770 E Second Ave., Denver, Colorado, 80206 Phone: 303.333.2879
Goodman died peacefully last Thursday morning, at home, with his wife, Mercedes and their two children, Zoe and Dylan. A memorial service is planned for April 17th from 6 to 9 PM at Harbourfront Centre in Toronto.
Editor’s Note: To share your own memories and thoughts about the passing of Jeff Goodman, please feel free to use the Comments below.