Scot Slessor
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Scot Slessor studied Structural Drafting at Red River Polytechnic and Asian Studies at Saint Mary’s University & Shandong Teachers University. Scot served as a public servant between 1986 to 2016 with Canadian Departments of Employment, International Development and Foreign Affairs. He has worked and/or lived in the Philippines, China, Jordan, Cambodia, Mongolia, Brunei, India, Afghanistan, Laos and Thailand. A glass artist since 1990s, he implemented art glass exhibits and training in Cambodia, Afghanistan and Jordan and was the Middle East Representative for the UN International Year of Glass in 2022. Scot lives in Nova Scotia where he is hatching new glass art projects and training initiatives.
Learn more about Scot's initiative SAS Glass.
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Scot's Glass Collectives
CambodiaThis story begins in 2004 when we arrived in Cambodia for my spouse to take up her appointment as Canadian Ambassador to Cambodia. I continued to manage my HQ team in Canada and then to run our High Commission in Brunei. I had a few months off in 2006-07 and had earlier found an excellent book Kbach: A Study Of Khmer Ornamentation, published by Reyum Publishing. When I sought permission to use some of the designs for a few windows, they told me they also had an art institute. We agreed that I would train nine of the institute's graduates in working with glass. We spent two fun-filled months together working in a courtyard in downtown Phnom Penh. At the end of training, the exhibition raised $C4,500 that was used to get more supplies and tools. This project was funded by my spouse and I.
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AfghanistanIn 2015 I was assigned to the position of Deputy Head of Mission, Canadian Embassy, Kabul. I have been involved with glass art for 20+ years. I had done a training program in Cambodia and decided to try a program in Kabul. I connected with Turquoise Mountain who expressed interest. I also started contacting industry partners to get deals so that I could include the supplies in my shipment to Kabul. Cascade Metals from Vancouver provided lead and foil re-enforcing materials. Bull eye and Reusche Paints gave a deal on paint, glass, fit, powders and nuggets. Stained Glass Stuff in Ottawa provided a healthy discount on a bunch of glass and other supplies. The US Embassy provided funds for the Kiln from Paragon as well as the paint and some glass. They also underwrote the exhibit reception providing space, food and wine. The Canadian Embassy provided a great space for the workshop. The artists came to the Embassy one day a week for 6 months.
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Jordon and the Zujaj Collective
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