Another new glass art installation at The Peter MacCallum Cancer Hospital in Melbourne will bring fresh light and colour to patients, visitors and staff.

Some of the very best glassblowers from all over Australia descended upon Red Hill this weekend to blow fun-filled goblets for donation to the Level two ward.

The Gordon-Donaldson family worked with former employee and friend Andrea Comerford to make the original installation possible last year – in addition to donating goblets from the 2022 collaborative blow-in.

And after a two-week exhibition at Gordon Studio’s gallery in Red Hill – starting at 10am on Monday 12th June – the 2023 goblets will be on display in cases next to last year’s incredible pieces.

“This is the first time that patients, staff and visitors at The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre have had the opportunity to enjoy glass art on display,” said Andrea Comerford, who made and sold candles for more than five years to make the collection possible.

Andrea suffers from Multiple Myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells and has been treated at the Peter MacCallum Centre for the past eight years. While working at the Gordon Studio Gallery, Eileen and Grant’s work increased her love for glass and glassblowing.

“Glass is so different to every other art medium,” Comerford explained.

“And Peter Mac Art Curator Svetlana Karovich was so happy to be able to add Grant and Eileen’s beautiful work to the collection. The colours and shapes just take art to a new dimension.”

The Centre won a grant from the Victorian Government through the Community Support Fund to purchase specialist cabinets to protect the glass from dust and damage.

“We’re extremely proud to have our work on display,” said Grant Donaldson and Eileen Gordon.

“It was a wonderful idea of Andrea’s, and she worked so hard to raise funds and make it happen.”

Among Andrea’s fundraising campaigns, she made and sold candles and organised movie nights so that her dream collaboration could materialise.

“Grant and Eileen work so hard,” said Andrea.

“They deserve all the recognition they get for their amazing talent and dedication. I worked at Gordon Studio Glassblowers two days a week for 12 years in addition to my job as a nurse – it’s my happy place. I always left with a smile after a day talking to customers about the ancient craft and polishing the glass. It’s so tactile; it rejuvenates energy.”

“I was blown away by the donations – everybody was so generous.”

Grant and Eileen, who blow glass with their sons Hamish and Calum, and influenced by Eileen’s parents Alasdair and Rish, donated the work created at a convention they hosted – in addition to the art Andrea raised funds for. The theme of the International Year of Glass convention hosted by the Gordon Studio Glassblowers was ‘goblets’ with some of the most talented glassblowers across Australia getting together to collaborate.

“We originally planned to auction the goblets off,” said Eileen.

“But we felt the humour and energy of the goblets will generate great entertainment, smiles and laughter at The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.”

The collection is on display on level two at Peter MacCallum’s Parkville headquarters – next to outpatient pathology.

“It’s close to the waiting room, café, pharmacy and pathology – so thousands of people will be able to enjoy the magic,” said Andrea.

“When we were there installing the glass, people were really excited as they were walking past. It’s so special.”