Profile

Jude Stoll

Jude grew up surrounded by an artistic family who encouraged her to develop her own creativity. During her twenties, she spent ten years working in a corporate career before realising that a sense of imagination, invention and inspiration were missing from her life. Jude took a massive step and returned to college and later University, graduating in 2004 with a First-Class Honours Degree in Design: Glass.

Jude first started working with found and recycled materials in her final year at University and has continued to do so ever since.

“When I first started to develop work with found objects I felt like I had finally found my voice. It feels honest, and true to my personality and beliefs to use recycled materials, and it also allows me to fulfil an inherent magpie pleasure in searching out and collecting treasures that other people see as worthless.”

Since graduation Jude has continued to create one off sculpture and craft objects, which she exhibits nationally. She balances this work with consultancy and education. In 2006/7 she undertook a twelve-month research project for the University of Cumbria examining the local craft sector, and writing a strategy for its development. In February 2008 Jude and her husband ceramicist Ed Bentley created a new design partnership, BentleyStoll. This new venture combines Jude's business knowledge with Ed's twenty years of experience working in the ceramic industry in Stoke-on-Trent. The partnership will design for tabletop and interiors manufacturers around the world. In her spare time Jude volunteers at, and has helped to develop, a local community recycling project and scrapstore. After securing significant funding from Cumbria County Council Waste Prevention Fund and Cumbria Learning Links, she has been able to set up a recycled art studio. Here she will hold art workshops utilising waste as material, aimed at educating the community about recycling.

Jude is a member of the Contemporary Glass Society