Robert Gary Parkes

The Loafing Shed Glass Studio is the home studio of Robert Gary Parkes.
In 2009 Robert converted a portion of his barn into a hot shop glass studio and installed state-of-the-art glass-blowing equipment. Robert and his wife Jeanette host open house events at the studio throughout the year. Tours and workshops take place at the studio in the spring and fall. Over the summer months Robert and Jeanette enjoy exhibiting Robert’s glass in Art Festivals.

Robert first became interested in glass in the 60’s arts & crafts movement and was introduced to stained glass by artist friend Moira Burnett in 1969. For the next 20 years Robert’s field of endeavour was working with flat glass; building, restoring and repairing leaded stained glass windows. In 1987, Robert began a five-year apprenticeship with the Grandfather of Glass in Canada – Robert Held. Parkes designed and collaborated with Held for 22 years before building his own studio. Robert had the privilege of working with, and learning from, other skilled glass-blowers while working at Robert Held’s Kitsilano studio.
Robert and Jeanette have been married since 1989, have four daughters, and have lived on their five-acre property in Port Kells since 1996.