She first began working with glass under David Traub at Whanganui Regional Polytechnic.
In 2018 to 2019 and 2023, she went on to complete advanced glass electives at UCOL with Dr Kathryn Wightman.
Through these courses she developed her skills in cast glass, mould-making and kiln-formed work.
“[The internship is] the perfect timing to immerse myself in glass practice and expand my technical expertise while exploring light, projection and sculptural form,” Bartley said.
She said her artistic practice is exploring, “interconnected themes of nature, spirituality and the cycle of life and death”.
Meanwhile, Elliot, originally from Palmerston North, comes from a multi-skilled background.
She graduated from Elam School of Fine Arts, which she combined with studies in biology.
Outside of glass, she has worked with silver alongside a jewellery technician.
She began working with glass in 2021 while at Awatapu College.
Her art teacher, glass artist George Agius, first introduced her to the medium.
Elliot went on to assist Agius during her 2024 Artist-in-Residence at NZG.
In 2023, she completed an internship at Monmouth Glass Studio.
She then received the Prime Minister’s Scholarship – a government-funded programme which provides opportunities for young Kiwis to study in Asia and Latin America.
Elliot completed a legal internship in Bangkok over nine weeks and a scientific lamp-working workshop in Chiang Mai.
“The tension between time and heat, and the suspense of waiting days for the kiln to reveal whether a piece has succeeded, continues to captivate me,” Elliott said.
Recognised glass experts, Stephen Bradbourne and Lewis Batcheler will be the mentors for the 2026 programme.
Bradbourne is the co-founder of Monmouth Glass Studio with over 30 years of experience in glasswork.
He has been exhibited across New Zealand and abroad.
Batcheler is an internationally recognised glass artist from Whanganui and a recent recipient of the NZG 2026 artist-in-residence.
He has been a finalist for many international awards including the FUSE Glass Prize in Australia and Young Glass in Denmark. He was an invited instructor at the Pilchuck Glass School in the USA.
The internship programme is in its second year at NZG and is supported by Creative New Zealand and The R Trust.
