Our People
MANAGEMENT
Aimee Frodsham - Director
Aimee brings more than 25 years of experience working closely with artists and craftspeople, alongside an international career shaped by 12 years at Victoria and Albert Museum and Tate in London. Since returning to Australia in 2015, she has become deeply embedded in Canberra’s glassmaking community and, since 2018, has served as Artistic Director at Canberra Glassworks, working alongside a dedicated team to strengthen the organisation’s artistic program, partnerships, and public profile.
During her tenure, Aimee has curated and produced numerous exhibitions featuring acclaimed artists including Maree Clarke, Cobi Cockburn, and Annette Blair, and has played a key collaborative role in major projects with Iltja Ntjarra Art Centre, Patricia Piccinini, Tony Albert, Lucy Simpson, Alex Seton, and Elliat Rich. Her practice-led leadership has supported a culture of collaboration, skills exchange, and ambitious making across the Glassworks.
Recognised for her expertise in studio glass, Aimee was invited to guest edit the 2022 GLASS NOW edition of Art Monthly Australasia, reflecting her standing within the contemporary craft and visual arts sector.
Phone: (02) 6185 0378
Hours: Mon to Fri
Wendy Dawes - Deputy Director
Wendy joined Canberra Glassworks in 2015 in a role as Marketing, left for some time and then rejoined in July 2024 in Public Programs. She has 20 years experience working in design and communications across print and digital for the public, private and NFP sectors, as well as her own artistic practive in printmedia. She holds a BVA (printmedia) from ANU School of Art and Design.
Phone: (02) 6185 0382
Hours: Mon to Fri
Tom Rowney - Technical Director
Tom has over 25 years’ experience constructing, maintaining and repairing glass studio equipment both in Australia and overseas. His technical expertise was instrumental in the design and development of the state-of-the-art workshop spaces at the Canberra Glassworks that provides the equipment for all methods of fabricating studio glass. He was the first technician employed when the facility opened in 2007 and now heads up a small technical team.
As well as ensuring all the workshop equipment is operational, he oversees all WH & S requirements and the complex building maintenance issues that arise in a heritage building. He also supports the installation of exhibitions and solves many of the technical challenges for some of the larger commissioned public installations fabricated by the Glassworks.
Phone: 0419 163 219
Hours: Mon to Thu
Teresa Nguyen - Finance Managing Director
As the Managing Director at Company Prophets , Theresa overseas the high-level management of the Glassworks finances including preparation of board and audit reports. Theresa has wide ranging experience in the not-for-profit, private and public sectors. She has worked as both a business owner and a key member of Executive Teams across a range of industries, Theresa brings a broad range of management, reporting and corporate governance experience to her role. She has detailed knowledge of the many complex areas that make up the operational life of an organisation including grant acquittals; research & development financial policies and procedures development.
Company Prophets does not work onsite at Canberra Glassworks.
Jessie Yin - Finance Business Manager
As Business Manager at Company Prophets, Jessie looks after the day-to-day financial business for the Glassworks. She is an accountant and bookkeeper with experience in various industries and sectors, including NFP, media, advertising, design and IT firms. Her role is to maintain daily accounting tasks and assist Theresa to prepare management and financial reports for Canberra Glassworks.
Jessie holds a Master of Commerce in Finance and Accounting from Macquarie University and is a qualified CPA member.
Company Prophets does not work onsite at Canberra Glassworks.
PUBLIC + ARTISTIC PROGRAMS TEAM
Georgina Perri - Public Programs Manager
Joining in May 2026, Georgina brings extensive experience across public programming, cultural tourism, community engagement and the visual arts sector, with a background spanning museums, galleries, festivals and visitor experience. With formal training in ceramics from the ANU School of Art and a strong passion for contemporary craft practice, she brings a thoughtful, audience-focused approach to arts engagement and education.
The Public Programs Manager is responsible for the development, delivery and growth of Canberra Glassworks’ public programs, including workshops, tours, education programs and community engagement initiatives.
This role plays a key part in driving audience engagement and revenue, with a strong emphasis on developing high-quality visitor experiences and expanding tourism-focused offerings. Working closely with the Deputy Director, this position leads program planning, manages Teaching Artists and volunteers, and ensures programs align with organisational goals and sector best practice.
Phone: (02) 6185 0382
Hours: Mon to Fri
Halle Warrender - Public Programs Assistant
Halle Warrender joined the Canberra Glassworks in March 2026 as a part of our Early Career Employment Program, within our Public Programs team.
The Public Programs Assistant support the delivery of workshops, demonstrations, tours, and public events alongside artists, educators, and facilitators.
Phone: (02) 6185 0380
Hours: Mon to Thurs
Justine McLaren - Artistic Programs Coordinator
As the Artistic Programs Coordinator, Justine is responsible for the hire of the facility’s equipment and artist accommodation. She supports the Canberra Glassworks’ Artist-in-Residence program and liaises between the administration team, technical team and the artists, delivers artists meetings, provides inductions to the facility, and assists with events.
Justine joined Canberra Glassworks in 2018, left for a time to join her family and flamework in Switzerland, then rejoined in 2024. She holds a BA (sculpture) from the ANU School of Art and Design.
Phone: (02) 6185 0381
Hours: Mon to Thu
FABRICATION TEAM
Jacqueline Knight - Production + Commissions Manager
As the Production and Commissions Manager Jacqueline oversees the Glassworks in-house production as well as public, private and corporate commissions.
Jacqueline received her formal training in glass, graduating with an MFA from Alfred University in 2008 and a BFA from the ANU in 2002. She is a JamFactory Design Associate (2004-2005) and has held teaching positions at Massart (Massachusetts College of Art and Design) and Salem State University in Boston, USA. She has worked at the Glassworks since January 2017.
Phone: (02) 6185 0383
Hours: Mon to Fri
Dylan McCracken - Production Assistant
As the Production Assistant Dylan provides support for the commissions and production lines fabricated at the Canberra Glassworks.
Dylan works across a variety of glassmaking processes, including glassblowing, kiln forming, kiln casting and coldworking. She graduated from the ANU School of Art and Design in 2021 and has completed a Master of Urban Design with the University of Sydney in 2024. She has her own studio practice and undertakes projects with local artists. She joined the Glassworks in June 2022.
Phone: (02) 6185 0386
Hours: Mon to Thu
Ann Kremen - Production Assistant
Ann Kremen joined the Canberra Glassworks in March 2026 as apart of our Early Career Employement Program, within the Productions and Comissions team.
Working closely with the Production and Commissions Manager, this role supports the fabrication, delievery and installation of glass projects.
Hours: Mon to Thu
COMMS TEAM
Brooke McEachern - Marketing Communications Manager
Brooke McEachern is an early career curator and arts worker with over five years’ experience across galleries, visual arts organisations, and the local cultural and tourism sectors. As the Marketing + Communcations Manager at Canberra Glassworks, she oversees the development of content and promotion of the Glassworks brand and its programs. This role manages photography, social media, advertising and public relations, website management, and producing digital and printed collateral.
Brooke joined Canberra Glassworks in June 2020. She holds a BVA (printmedia) and BA in Art History & Curatorship from the ANU. Alongside her role at the Glassworks, sheworks freelance as a curator and photographer with artists and cultural organisations.
Phone: (02) 6185 0377
Hours: Tue to Fri
Tess Burk - Administration + Marketing Coordinator
Tess joined the Canberra Glassworks in August 2025 as the Administration and Marketing Coordinator.
Phone: (02) 6185 0380
Hours: Mon to Fri
RETAIL TEAM
Julie Morandini - Gallery Shop Manager
Julie joined the Glassworks team as Gallery Shop Manager in 2025. With a background in allied health reception /administration and retail, Julie is enjoying the change of scene; especially being surrounded by beautiful objects and creative people! She loves liaising with artists and visitors alike and is especially pleased when beautiful glass creations find their people to go home with.
Phone: (02) 6260 7005
Hours: Tue to Sat
Miles Webster- Gallery Shop Assistant
Phone: (02) 6260 7005
Hours: Sun – Thu
TECH TEAM
Michael Desmet - Building Manager
Following a career as an independent electrician and maintenance technician, Michael brings a wealth of practical expertise to the role of Building Manager, whch he commenced in April 2026.
The Building Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management, maintenance, and operational functionality of the Canberra Glassworks facility. This is a hands-on role that supports the safe and efficient operation of a complex working studio environment.
Working closely with the Technical Director, this role ensures that building systems, safety procedures, and maintenance requirements are effectively managed while supporting the needs of staff, artists, and visitors within a complex working studio environment.
Phone: 0417 153 233
Hours: Mon to Fri
Jon Ely - Technical Manager
Phone: (02) 6260 7005
Hours: Wed to Fri
April Widdup - Assistant Technical Manager
April Widdup is an early-career multidisciplinary artist from Australia, living and practicing on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Land in Kamberri / Canberra. Widdup holds a Bachelor of Visual Arts [2022] with a major in glass and a minor in anthropology from the Australian National University School of Art and Design.
As the Assistant Technical Manager, April is responsible or the maintenance and development of the Canberra Glassworks infrastructure, equipment and technical supplies including the fabrication and maintenance of equipment and exhibition installation and provides technical support for the range of events hosted by the Canberra Glassworks.
They support the day to day running, maintenance and ongoing development of Canberra Glassworks facilities as well as providing assistance and technical support for the artists who access these facilities to create their own work or are engaged in our diverse range of program including classes, workshops and public demonstrations, delivering commissioned work, supporting artists in residence and assisting with exhibition installations.
Phone: (02) 6185 0376
Hours: Tue to Sat
Phoebe Staats - Assistant Technician
Phoebe Staats joined the Canberra Glassworks in March 2026 as part of our Early Career Employement Program, within our Technical team.
As part of the Techniacl team, the Technical Assistant assists with daily studio operations in all workshop areas, supports hirers and visiting artists and ensures that the facility complies with WHS standards. An ever evoling role, they also support with installation of exhibitions and major fabrications.
Hours: Mon – Thu
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Peter Wilkinson - Chair
Peter Wilkinson has worked in public, private and not for profit sectors across arts, social and public policy, governance, risk and strategy fields. Peter is passionate about connecting people, helping to imagine and design exciting and sustainable futures, implementing practical solutions and generating impact, at scale, in organisations, projects and communities. He loves leading and enabling others to lead
Verity Hawkins - Deputy Chair
Verity is the CEO of Cancer Council ACT. Previously she led non-profit organisations and ran social impact and transformational change projects in organisations including Lifeline, YWCA Australia, and HSBC Bank. Verity has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Sydney, post-graduate qualifications from Macquarie Business School, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She served on the board of UN Women Australia for six years and is currently a board member of Canberra Art Biennial.
Barbara Li - Treasurer
Barbara Li is a highly qualified financial manager with extensive experience in senior roles across the public and private sectors. She is currently Director, Financial Reporting with the NDIA. She holds an MBA/MCom (Finance), A Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) and is a Fellow Member of CPA Australia and ANZIF CIP. In addition to her professional work, she is an enthusiastic volunteer with St John Ambulance and the ATO Tax Help program.
Sally Brand - Director
Sally Brand is an arts worker with a diverse range of experiences in the private and public sectors in Australia and internationally. She is passionate about bringing to life ambitious contemporary art projects. In recent roles at the National Gallery, Brand has been integral to presentations of Patricia Piccinini’s hot air balloons Skywhale (2013) and Skywhalepapa (2019-2020) and Jordan Wolfson’s cutting-edge robotic animatronic Body Sculpture (2023). In addition to championing the work of contemporary artists, Brand is also deeply interested in the application of risk management strategies. Prior to living in Canberra, from 2009 – 2015, Brand was based in Beijing, China working with Conceptio Unlimited as Associate Director and Producer–Art Projects and responsible for delivery of more than 100 projects including artist commissions, solo-exhibitions and publications with artists such as Tony Albert (Australia), Gordon Bennett (Australia), Gonkar Gyatso (Tibet/China) and Shane Cotton (New Zealand). Successful commissions exhibited at venues worldwide, including the National Gallery, Canberra; National Museum of China, Beijing; and Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
Sarah Engeldow - Director
Sarah is a writer and speaker on Australian art, biography and history. After 20 years as the Historian/Curator at the National Portrait Gallery, Sarah was made an honorary Visiting Fellow at the Australian Studies Institute at the ANU. Since 2022 she has held a part-time position as a Senior /research Curator at the Museum of Brisbane were she most recently curated an exhibition Precious that brings together brings thousands of remarkable items from more than 30 public and private collections.
Renee Joyce - Director
Renee is currently the Senior Registrar at the National Portrait Gallery. She is a collections specialist with 17 years of experience in regional, state and national visual arts institutions and galleries. She has expertise in best practice for visual arts organisations in the areas of collection management, acquisitions, commissions, loans and the application of, and adherence to, national and international legislation and agreements related to the movement of cultural objects, provenance and due diligence, legal title and copyright.
Bruce Johnson McLean - Director
Bruce is a member of the Wierdi people of the Birri Gubba Nation of Wribpid (central Queensland) with over 20 years’ experience working at all levels from trainee to executive in major public art museums and over 25 years’ experience as a professional in the arts sector where he works with artists to communicate First Nations cultures, knowledges, histories and experiences to broad audiences.
He was most recently the Assistant Director, Indigenous Engagement and Head Curator, First Nations Art at the National Gallery of Australia, a dual role that included curating major exhibitions and projects, acquiring exceptional artworks, guiding strategic direction and driving major First Nations initiatives. Previously he was Curator of Indigenous Australian Art at QAGOMA, where he curated significant solo exhibitions for First Nations artists including Mavis Ngallametta, Sally Gabori, Tony Albert, Ron Hurley, Dick Roughsey and Joe Rootsey. In 2002 Bruce was awarded the NAIDOC National Aboriginal Youth of the Year and he is a songman, dancer and yidaki (didgeridoo) player.
Chris Mercer - Director
Chris is currently the Chief Experience Officer with the NFSA where he focusses on activating and developing NFSA’s headquarters in Canberra through a range of public programs and leads NFSA’s physical infrastructure planning and strategic asset management, including designing its roadmap to net zero. Previously he worked for global design and engineering firm Arup where he led the Australasia arts and culture business. He has worked for a number of major arts and cultural organisations around the world, including as Head of Production for Sydney Theatre Company and Production Manager for the National Theatre in London.
Studio Artists
