April Surgent started working with glass in 1997, at open access hot shop studios in her hometown of Seattle, WA. She went on to study at the Australian National University, Canberra, Australia where she graduated with an honors degree in 2004. In 2003, she changed her focus from blown to engraved glass after studying under Czech master engraver Jiri Harcuba at the Pilchuck glass school; she has served as a trustee to the school since 2012. Recognition for her work includes the Neddy Fellowship through the Behnke Foundation and an Urban Glass, New Talent Award. Notable collections where her work can be found: the Toledo Museum of Art [OH], the Chrysler Museum of Art [VA] and the Ulster Museum [IRL] among others.Interested in the dialogue between art and science, the artist is presently engaged in collaborations with research scientists to inform her work; focusing on remote conservation fieldwork and the effects of anthropogenic factors on vulnerable species and ecosystems. In 2013, the artist travelled to Antarctica with the National Science Foundation’s, Antarctic Artist and Writers Program. She is currently working with NOAA’s Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program. The artist lives and works in Port Townsend, WA.


Portrait photo courtesy the artist.