Cameron Ure

Scientific Glass Technology (A.A.S.), 2023

Alumni Profile: Cameron Ure
April 15, 2023

The 2022 International Flameworking Conference’s all-star lineup of Scientific Glass Technology graduates made a lasting impression upon Cameron Ure.  

“I was already enrolled in the SGT program, but I was more interested in pursuing glass artistically. It wasn’t until my first IFC in 2022 when I realized how far scientific glass could take me in my career,” recalled Cameron, who enrolled at SCC after earning a bachelor’s degree in art at the University of Oregon in 2020.    

“Seeing all of the scientific glassblowers at the IFC really showed me that if you work with scientific glass, you will gain the skills and techniques to be able to make anything out of glass, scientific or artistic,” he continued. “From then on, I really started focusing on scientific glass and found that I really enjoyed all of the technical challenges involved.” 

Cameron explained that he has benefitted from his SCC education in several ways. “But the most prominent has definitely been the ability to network with other glass workers, both outside and within the school community,” he said, acknowledging the support from Kristin Deady, Bob Russell, Carl Natalino, Rich Brainard, Klaus Paris, Katie Severance, and Madeline Rile Smith for whom he served as a teaching assistant in Creative Flameworking for two semesters.  

“The teachers and staff have been instrumental in motivating me to be a skilled flameworker, and have been very helpful to get me various career opportunities,” continued Cameron, who was the flameworking intern at the Corning Museum of Glass last summer.  “The school also brings in lots of visiting artists, which I’ve gained a lot of knowledge from, as well. I’ve learned so much about flameworking and glass in general during these two years and I’m excited to keep that learning going.”

Upon completing his associate in applied science degree next month, the Dean’s List student will begin his scientific glass technology career with Büchi AG in Uster, Switzerland.  He learned about the opening from SGT Instructional Chair Klaus Paris, who encouraged him to apply.  

“I applied, expecting nothing, as their ad was looking for a scientific glassblower with several years of professional experience. To my surprise, they wanted to do an interview and offered me a job shortly thereafter,” said Cameron.  “This was the sort of opportunity that I wanted, but wasn’t expecting for at least 3-5 years after graduating. The company makes complex, custom apparatus and has a very high standard for quality, all of which I strive to produce. And of course, Switzerland is a beautiful country, and is centrally located in Europe, allowing me to travel all over with ease. Once I got the offer and visited their facilities in Switzerland, it was pretty clear I needed to take advantage of the opportunity.”

In August, he will return for a weeklong course at the prestigious Penland School of Craft in North Carolina.  “It will be my first time attending Penland. I will be taking a class with Mike Raman, who is a very skilled Philly-based glass artist,” said Cameron, who earned a scholarship through SCC to attend the class. 

Among his tips to SCC glass students is to network with all GEC instructors: “Use all of the teachers, not just the ones whose class you’re taking.  They all have a wealth of knowledge and each one can teach you different things that you might not learn otherwise. And once you get that knowledge, use it!”