Women in Glass Exhibition

London Glassblowing, September 2027

Glassblowing, traditionally a man’s world — the physical demands of the furnace, the heat, the weight — has engendered a particular mythology of the craft. At London Glassblowing, women have always played a major part in the evolution of the studio. As we mark Peter Layton's ninetieth birthday in 2027, we turn to the women in glass, who have helped shape it and influence the landscape of British glass art with equal force and invention. We will select past and present residents whose artistic practice has flourished within these walls, alongside guest artists whose work defines the very best of this amazing medium.

Women in Glass is a celebration — an occasion to examine and reflect on the possibilities of this extraordinary medium.

Open Call — Women in Glass

London Glassblowing invites applications from UK-based women working in glass to take part in Women in Glass, a group exhibition opening in September 2027 to coincide with the studio's celebration of Peter Layton's ninetieth birthday. We are pleased to welcome back Cathryn Shilling, London Glassblowing's gallery curator from 2010 to 2019, who returns as guest curator for this special exhibition.

The exhibition will bring together women working in glass across all approaches to the medium: blown, cast, kilnformed, flameworked, engraved, fused, and beyond. We are equally interested in work that sits at the boundary of glass art, jewellery and sculpture. Although there is no fixed theme, we sincerely hope that this exciting opportunity will inspire makers to create brand new work, whether based on existing series or something entirely new.

London Glassblowing welcomes applications from artists at all stages of their career.

To apply, please send:

A short statement, no more than 200 words, Up to four images of recent work, or proposals and sketches for new work (JPEG no larger than 5MB each), Dimensions and prices where applicable, Your contact details and website or Instagram

Applications to: Gena Johns — gena@londonglassblowing.co.uk
"Women in Glass" in the subject line.

Deadline for applications: Thursday 31 December 2026
Artists notified: by end of January 2027
Exhibition opens: September 2027

We look forward to receiving your application.