UK Graduate Glass Prize winners announced

Two first prize winners have been announced for the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers’ (WCGS) and Contemporary Glass Society’s (CGS) annual Graduate Glass Prize.

The Prize supports emerging graduates from British and Irish universities and colleges at the beginning of their careers in glass making, providing financial rewards, memberships, books, subscriptions and publicity in the New Graduate Review publication, which is circulated widely and will be distributed to CGS members with the next edition of Glass Network print magazine.

This year’s joint winners are Helen Restorick from University for the Creative Arts, Farnham, Surrey, who has completed an MA, and Lu Shi, who graduates with a BA Fashion Design in Knitwear from Central Saint Martin’s School of Art, University of The Arts, London. Read more about Lu Shi’s glass dress development in this article by Morley College, where she completed a BTEC Certificate in Art and Design in Glass in tandem with her BA studies.

Runners up are Bethan Yates, studying an MA at the Royal College of Art, London, and Sue Simmons, graduating with a BA from the University of Sunderland.

Other prize winners are:

Highly Commended – Charis Constantinou (Swansea Collect of Art UWTSD)
Highly Commended – Nancy Farrington (Swansea Collect of Art UWTSD)
Highly Commended – Brynn Hill (University of Sunderland)
Highly Commended – Sophie Longwill (Royal College of Art, London)

Commended – Matt Turner (Manchester School of Art)
Commended – Liz Waugh McManus (University of Sunderland)
Commended – Evan McKenna (National College of Art and Design)
Commended – Maria Donnai (Hull College)
Commended – Kieran McQuillan (University for the Creative Arts, Farnham)
Commended – Kathleen James (University of Sunderland)
Commended – Joanne O’Mahony (MTU Crawford College of Art and Design, Cork, Ireland)
Commended – Shonah Escombe (Forth Valley College)
Commended – Jo Guile (Royal College of Art, London).

The entries from all these graduates will be included in New Graduate Review.

CGS received a total of 35 applications from 16 colleges/universities.

The selection panel comprised Monette Larsen (artist), Professor Michael Barnes (glass collector/CGS Trustee), Sarah L Brown (glass artist/CGS Trustee) and Leigh Baildham from the WCGS Charity Fund.

Leigh Baildham commented, “During a challenging time in higher education with an ever-dwindling number of courses related to glass, it is a delight to see the continuing strong set of entries this year. The inspiration and imagination shown demonstrated the thought that had been applied to all work submitted. As ever, the task for the judges was made harder by the wide diversity of style and design of the glass work. In an unprecedented decision, it was resolved that two First Prizes would be awarded this year. The reason behind this decision was that the judges wanted to recognise two very different kinds of work, using glass embracing the fashion world, along with the more traditional form of studio glass. So much promise for the future!”

CGS is grateful to receive funding and support to offer this prize from the WCGS of London Charity Fund, Professor Michael Barnes MC FRCP, Creative Glass, Pearsons Glass, Warm Glass, Neues Glas and Alan J Poole.

Image: Winning entries made by the two first prize recipients, Helen Restorick (left) and Lu Shi.