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Maarja Mäemets (b. 1991, Estonia) is a creative savvy working across glass, installation, and text. Currently based in Stockholm, she is pursuing a second Master's degree in craft studies.
Rooted in themes of hope and courage, her practice moves through the shifting terrain of emotion, thought, and environment. She creates layered, often site-specific works shaped by symbolism, material sensitivity, and a strong narrative instinct. Positioned somewhere—and everywhere—between art and design, Mäemets embraces the in-between; that space is her superpower. For her, the rhythm of the glass hotshop mirrors the cadence of writing: both are intuitive, repetitive acts of shaping, sensing, and releasing. Writing remains a vital thread, connecting process, perception, and place. |
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MAARJA MÄEMETS
Creative savvy born in Estonia, currently living and working in Stockholm
EDUCATION
2024–Present: Konstfack, University of Arts, Crafts and Design – Craft Program (Exchange Year)
2023–Present: Estonian Academy of Arts, Faculty of Design – MA in Craft Studies
2017–2019: Olustvere Service and Rural Economy School – Assistant Glassblower Studies
2015–2018: Estonian Academy of Arts, Faculty of Design – MA in Glass Art
2016–2017: Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, Faculty of Contextual Sculpture (Exchange Semester)
2012–2015: Estonian Academy of Arts, Faculty of Design – BA in Glass Art
RECOGNITIONS
2024: Recognized Glass Artist 2022/23 nominee
2018: Finalist, Stanislav Libenský Award – Prague, Czech Republic
2017: First Prize, Bild-Werk Frauenau Student Prize – Frauenau, Germany
SCHOLARSHIPS
2024: Estonian Academy of Arts Scholarship for Professional Development
2023: Nordic Culture Point Mobility Programme Grant
2017: Ene Silla Scholarship for MA Glass Art Studies
2017: Maks Roosma Creative Scholarship for Outstanding Glass Art Student
2016: Ott Kikkas Private Entrepreneur Scholarship for Outstanding Glass Art Student
2014: Ene Silla Scholarship for BA Glass Art Studies
PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE
2022–2023: Guest Lecturer – Glass Art Department, Estonian Academy of Arts
2021–2022: Designer and Illustrator for Debut Poetry Books – Collaboration with *Värske Rõhk* Magazine
2019–Present: Teacher of Digital Portfolio, Photo Manipulation, and Vector Graphics – Sally Stuudio Art School
2018–Present: Freelance Artist, Designer, and Studio Owner – ARS Project Space
2017–2022: Arts and Crafts Teacher – Huvikool Loomekod
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE / PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
2024: EAA Muhu Art Residency – Muhu, Estonia
2022: Mazzano Romano Residency – Italy (Väino Tanner Foundation)
2021: Copper Leg Art Residency – Vaskjala, Estonia
2018: GlassEST Residency – The Glass Factory Boda, Sweden
2018: Professional Practice – GlassPoint Studio, Riga, Latvia
WORKS IN COLLECTIONS
2024: Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design – Tallinn, Estonia
UNIONS
Since 2018: Estonian Glass Artists’ Union
Since 2019: Estonian Artists' Association
INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOPS / COLLABORATIONS
2023: DAMA 33 Workshop *Enlightened Boredom* – University of Lapland, Rovaniemi, Finland
2020: 4th International GlassJazz Symposium – Glasremis Studio, Panevėžys, Lithuania
2019: Workshop on Handblown Glass Design by Torsten Rötzsch and Eili Soon – Olustvere Glassblowing Studio, Estonia
2017: Experimental Hot Glass Workshop by James Labold and John Moran – Bild-Werk Frauenau, Germany
2017: Collaborative Project *New Archaeology* with Kazushi Nakada – Tallinn, Estonia
2016: Collaborative Project *Estonian Poetry in the Old SUVA Sock Factory* with Kazushi Nakada – Estonia
2016: 10th International Blown Glass Symposium – Lviv, Ukraine
2016: International Art Project *Things of Water* – Vilnius Art Academy, Nida, Lithuania
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023: *liivaloss / sand castle* – ARS Project Space, Tallinn, Estonia
2022: *sabotöör / saboteur* – Jakobi Gallery, Tartu, Estonia
2017: *aega on küll / there’s time* – Positiiv Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
Upcoming: *Stockholm Craft Week* - Stockholm, Sweden
2025: *Between Borders, Between Materials* – Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design, Tallinn, Estonia
2025: *Tactile Baltics* – Milan Design Week, Palazzo Litta, Milan, Italy
2025: *The Secret Soul of Shiny Things* – Estonian Glass Artists’ Union Annual Exhibition, Viimsi Artium, Estonia
2025: *Unfortunately, You Were Not Selected This Time* (Katariin Mudist & Keithy Kuuspu) – Tartu Art House, Estonia
2024: *Recognized Glass Artist 2022/23*, Nominees Exhibition – Okapi Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia
2024: *Imagine* – glass and print exhibition, ARS Project Space, Tallinn, Estonia
2024: *Next: Young European Design* – Berlin Design Week, Berlin, Germany
2023: Estonian Glass Artists’ Union Annual Exhibition Vol. 2 – Kondase Keskus, Viljandi, Estonia
2023: *The Venice Glass Week HUB Under 35* – Palazzo Loredan, Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Venice, Italy
2023: *salvesta kui / save as* (with Andra Jõgis) – Pärnu City Gallery, Pärnu, Estonia
2023: *GENIUS LOC IV: Life. 1628. 1928. 2023* – Estonian Glass Artists’ Union Annual Exhibition, Reigi Pastorate
2021: *pillows–blankets* (with Andra Jõgis) – Hiiumaa Art Gallery, Kärdla, Estonia
2021: *Colours of Corals* (with Liisa Kruusmägi) – HOP Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia
2021: *Current Realities* – Levant Art Gallery, Shanghai, China
2021: *The Voice of Glass Collaborative* – Latvian National Museum of Art, Riga, Latvia
2020: *Colour – RED II* – Estonian Glass Artists’ Union Annual Exhibition, City Gallery of Rakvere, Estonia
2020: *Colour – RED* – Estonian Glass Artists’ Union Annual Exhibition, ARS Project Space, Tallinn, Estonia
2020: *under the water on the moon II* – Okapi Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia
2020: *under the water on the moon* – Rummu Quarry, Harjumaa, Estonia
2018: *ARS Concept – Estonian Art* – T1 Mall of Tallinn, Estonia
2018: *Stanislav Libensky Award 2018* – DOX Centre for Contemporary Art, Prague, Czech Republic
2018: *Glass @ The Forge* – Craft Central, London, United Kingdom
2017: *Kooskõla. Ongoing / Going on* – Haus Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia
2016: 10th International Blown Glass Symposium – Lviv, Ukraine
2015: *Interpretation* – Mentzentorffs’ House, Riga, Latvia
CURATED EXHIBITIONS
2024: *Dark Ground* – Collaborative exhibition with Tiina Sarapu, HOP Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia
2021: *Colour – RED 2.0* – EGAU Annual Exhibition, White Hall of the Kohtla-Järve Oil Shale Museum
2020: *Colour – RED* – Estonian Glass Artists’ Union Annual Exhibition, ARS Project Space, Tallinn, Estonia
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
2025: *Financial Times Weekend* – 'Hedonism in the Hotshop: The New Glassware'
2024: Online coverage on *Designboom* (designboom.com)
2024: *Design, Interior, and Architecture* Magazine
2024: *Kodu & Aed* Magazine
2024: *DIIVAN* Magazine
2022: *POSITIIV* – Estonian Photo Magazine
2019: *POSITIIV* – Estonian Photo Magazine
2018: *New Glass Review* – published by Corning Museum of Glass
2017: *GLASSHOUSE* – International Magazine for Studioglass
2015: *POSITIIV* – Estonian Photo Magazine
2015: *MAJA* – Estonian Architecture Magazine
Creative savvy born in Estonia, currently living and working in Stockholm
EDUCATION
2024–Present: Konstfack, University of Arts, Crafts and Design – Craft Program (Exchange Year)
2023–Present: Estonian Academy of Arts, Faculty of Design – MA in Craft Studies
2017–2019: Olustvere Service and Rural Economy School – Assistant Glassblower Studies
2015–2018: Estonian Academy of Arts, Faculty of Design – MA in Glass Art
2016–2017: Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, Faculty of Contextual Sculpture (Exchange Semester)
2012–2015: Estonian Academy of Arts, Faculty of Design – BA in Glass Art
RECOGNITIONS
2024: Recognized Glass Artist 2022/23 nominee
2018: Finalist, Stanislav Libenský Award – Prague, Czech Republic
2017: First Prize, Bild-Werk Frauenau Student Prize – Frauenau, Germany
SCHOLARSHIPS
2024: Estonian Academy of Arts Scholarship for Professional Development
2023: Nordic Culture Point Mobility Programme Grant
2017: Ene Silla Scholarship for MA Glass Art Studies
2017: Maks Roosma Creative Scholarship for Outstanding Glass Art Student
2016: Ott Kikkas Private Entrepreneur Scholarship for Outstanding Glass Art Student
2014: Ene Silla Scholarship for BA Glass Art Studies
PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE
2022–2023: Guest Lecturer – Glass Art Department, Estonian Academy of Arts
2021–2022: Designer and Illustrator for Debut Poetry Books – Collaboration with *Värske Rõhk* Magazine
2019–Present: Teacher of Digital Portfolio, Photo Manipulation, and Vector Graphics – Sally Stuudio Art School
2018–Present: Freelance Artist, Designer, and Studio Owner – ARS Project Space
2017–2022: Arts and Crafts Teacher – Huvikool Loomekod
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE / PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
2024: EAA Muhu Art Residency – Muhu, Estonia
2022: Mazzano Romano Residency – Italy (Väino Tanner Foundation)
2021: Copper Leg Art Residency – Vaskjala, Estonia
2018: GlassEST Residency – The Glass Factory Boda, Sweden
2018: Professional Practice – GlassPoint Studio, Riga, Latvia
WORKS IN COLLECTIONS
2024: Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design – Tallinn, Estonia
UNIONS
Since 2018: Estonian Glass Artists’ Union
Since 2019: Estonian Artists' Association
INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOPS / COLLABORATIONS
2023: DAMA 33 Workshop *Enlightened Boredom* – University of Lapland, Rovaniemi, Finland
2020: 4th International GlassJazz Symposium – Glasremis Studio, Panevėžys, Lithuania
2019: Workshop on Handblown Glass Design by Torsten Rötzsch and Eili Soon – Olustvere Glassblowing Studio, Estonia
2017: Experimental Hot Glass Workshop by James Labold and John Moran – Bild-Werk Frauenau, Germany
2017: Collaborative Project *New Archaeology* with Kazushi Nakada – Tallinn, Estonia
2016: Collaborative Project *Estonian Poetry in the Old SUVA Sock Factory* with Kazushi Nakada – Estonia
2016: 10th International Blown Glass Symposium – Lviv, Ukraine
2016: International Art Project *Things of Water* – Vilnius Art Academy, Nida, Lithuania
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023: *liivaloss / sand castle* – ARS Project Space, Tallinn, Estonia
2022: *sabotöör / saboteur* – Jakobi Gallery, Tartu, Estonia
2017: *aega on küll / there’s time* – Positiiv Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
Upcoming: *Stockholm Craft Week* - Stockholm, Sweden
2025: *Between Borders, Between Materials* – Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design, Tallinn, Estonia
2025: *Tactile Baltics* – Milan Design Week, Palazzo Litta, Milan, Italy
2025: *The Secret Soul of Shiny Things* – Estonian Glass Artists’ Union Annual Exhibition, Viimsi Artium, Estonia
2025: *Unfortunately, You Were Not Selected This Time* (Katariin Mudist & Keithy Kuuspu) – Tartu Art House, Estonia
2024: *Recognized Glass Artist 2022/23*, Nominees Exhibition – Okapi Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia
2024: *Imagine* – glass and print exhibition, ARS Project Space, Tallinn, Estonia
2024: *Next: Young European Design* – Berlin Design Week, Berlin, Germany
2023: Estonian Glass Artists’ Union Annual Exhibition Vol. 2 – Kondase Keskus, Viljandi, Estonia
2023: *The Venice Glass Week HUB Under 35* – Palazzo Loredan, Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Venice, Italy
2023: *salvesta kui / save as* (with Andra Jõgis) – Pärnu City Gallery, Pärnu, Estonia
2023: *GENIUS LOC IV: Life. 1628. 1928. 2023* – Estonian Glass Artists’ Union Annual Exhibition, Reigi Pastorate
2021: *pillows–blankets* (with Andra Jõgis) – Hiiumaa Art Gallery, Kärdla, Estonia
2021: *Colours of Corals* (with Liisa Kruusmägi) – HOP Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia
2021: *Current Realities* – Levant Art Gallery, Shanghai, China
2021: *The Voice of Glass Collaborative* – Latvian National Museum of Art, Riga, Latvia
2020: *Colour – RED II* – Estonian Glass Artists’ Union Annual Exhibition, City Gallery of Rakvere, Estonia
2020: *Colour – RED* – Estonian Glass Artists’ Union Annual Exhibition, ARS Project Space, Tallinn, Estonia
2020: *under the water on the moon II* – Okapi Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia
2020: *under the water on the moon* – Rummu Quarry, Harjumaa, Estonia
2018: *ARS Concept – Estonian Art* – T1 Mall of Tallinn, Estonia
2018: *Stanislav Libensky Award 2018* – DOX Centre for Contemporary Art, Prague, Czech Republic
2018: *Glass @ The Forge* – Craft Central, London, United Kingdom
2017: *Kooskõla. Ongoing / Going on* – Haus Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia
2016: 10th International Blown Glass Symposium – Lviv, Ukraine
2015: *Interpretation* – Mentzentorffs’ House, Riga, Latvia
CURATED EXHIBITIONS
2024: *Dark Ground* – Collaborative exhibition with Tiina Sarapu, HOP Gallery, Tallinn, Estonia
2021: *Colour – RED 2.0* – EGAU Annual Exhibition, White Hall of the Kohtla-Järve Oil Shale Museum
2020: *Colour – RED* – Estonian Glass Artists’ Union Annual Exhibition, ARS Project Space, Tallinn, Estonia
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
2025: *Financial Times Weekend* – 'Hedonism in the Hotshop: The New Glassware'
2024: Online coverage on *Designboom* (designboom.com)
2024: *Design, Interior, and Architecture* Magazine
2024: *Kodu & Aed* Magazine
2024: *DIIVAN* Magazine
2022: *POSITIIV* – Estonian Photo Magazine
2019: *POSITIIV* – Estonian Photo Magazine
2018: *New Glass Review* – published by Corning Museum of Glass
2017: *GLASSHOUSE* – International Magazine for Studioglass
2015: *POSITIIV* – Estonian Photo Magazine
2015: *MAJA* – Estonian Architecture Magazine