ARTIST Bernadette Hughes is aiming to be a cut above the rest. For the 27-year-old who runs The Glass and Mosaic Studio in Rainford, specialising in stained glass and mosaic sculpture, is rapidly making a name for herself both in this country and abroad.

Since graduating with honours from Surrey University in 1992, Bernadette has gone from strength to strength. In addition to a three-month study scholarship at the Ravenna Mosaic School in Italy and a post-graduate diploma in Applied Arts at the Bratislava Academy of Fine Arts in Slovakia, she has also enjoyed success in this country with numerous exhibitions and awards to her name.

Bernadette told the Star: "Working with glass is a means through which I can express myself with freedom and passion. And, of course, with St Helens being so steeped in glass making history, I feel it is also rather appropriate.

"In the last few years, I have also done a lot of work with local schools, helping the children to make their own glass sculptures, be they mosaics or stained glass panels.

"Recently, I was commissioned to hold a series of workshops with children at Nugent House School in Billinge to make two cast-iron mosaic tables and the youngsters were brilliant. They contributed to everything, including the design of the tables and were really able to express their identity through the work."

Bernadette, who won the Prince's Youth Business Trust award in 1996, has also held numerous exhibitions, both as a solo artist and alongside other artists and is currently working on a number of private commissions.

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