British Glass Biennale 2026 artists announced for IFOG

A total of 82 artists has been selected for the British Glass Biennale 2026 at this year’s International Festival of Glass.

Held at The World of Glass in St Helens, the Biennale will showcase the finest work being made in glass across Britain today, from bold, sculptural statements to delicate, technically intricate pieces, representing the full breadth of what is possible in this endlessly versatile material.

The exhibition opens to the public on Friday 28 August 2026 and runs until 1 November 2026, giving visitors plenty of opportunity to experience one of the most significant events in the British art calendar.

The Biennale is a juried exhibition, open to artists who are British nationals or who are living and working in the UK. Submissions were assessed by a distinguished international panel, including Tami Landis, Curator of Postwar and Contemporary Glass at the Corning Museum of Glass; Jeffrey Sarmiento, Senior Lecturer in the School of Art and Design at Australian National University; and established and awarded UK glass artist Louis Thompson, who has worked with glass independently and collaboratively for over 30 years.

All works in the exhibition are available to purchase, making this a unique opportunity for collectors, institutions, and first-time buyers to acquire exceptional contemporary glass art.

All participating artists have the chance to be selected for the prestigious ‘Best in Show’ award, which is a £3,000 prize. The winner will be announced at a special opening ceremony in St Helens in August.

Participating artists

Anthony Amoako Atttah, Grace Ayson, Emma Baker, Lisa Bate, Heike Brachlow, Mils Bridgewater, Sarah Brown, Steve Brown, Edmond Byrne, Phillipa Candy, Keeryong Choi, Terri Colledge, Mary Corkery, Jeff Cunningham, Rachel Darbourne, Calum Dawes, Christopher Day, James Devereux, Jiayun Ding, Celia Dowson, Sally Fawkes, Elena Fleury-Rojo, Jahday Ford, Zoe Garner, Hannah Gibson, Stephen Gillies, Emma Goring, Lulu Harrison, Crispian Heath, Flora Jamieson, Kate Jones, Joshua Kerley, Hassina Khan, Aria Kiani, Alison Kinnaird, Laura Kriefman, Isabella Kullmann, Monette Larsen, Jon Lewis, Julie Light, Alison Lowry, Geoffrey Mann, Joanna Manousis, Guy Marshall-Brown, Hannah Masi, James Maskrey, Gayle Matthias, Joanne Mitchell, Tracy Nicholls, Michele Oberdieck, Marzena Ostromecka, Marged Owain, Helen Pailing, Jade Pinnell, Stacey Poultney, Verity Pulford, Georgia Redpath, Liam Reeves, Colin Reid, Helen Restorick, Bruno Romanelli, Layne Rowe, Sally Scott, Dian Shi, Amanda Simmons, Elizabeth Sinkova, Suzie Smith, Andrea Spencer, Madison Sprague, Helen Stokes, Alison Stott, Ayako Tani, Angela Thwaites, Jane Vincent, Elliot Walker, Annie Wasdell, Zac Weinberg, Sarah Wiberley, Bethany Wood, Marie Worre Hastrup Holm, Jeff Zimmer and Maria Zulueta.

In addition to the British Glass Biennale 2026, The World of Glass will be hosting the International Bead and Jewellery Biennale, celebrating wearable art at the intersection of glass, jewellery and contemporary craft.

It will also showcase the work of selected Contemporary Glass Society members in the ‘A Cabinet of Curiosities’ exhibition, with pieces in 2D and 3D measuring up to 20 x 10 x 10cm. The show runs from 27 August to 31 October 2026 and includes the creations of makers at all stages of their glassmaking careers in a wide range of techniques. All artworks will be for sale at reasonable prices.

In addition, new organiser of the International Festival of Glass 2026, the Glass Art Society (GAS), has selected work from members around the world for its International Member Exhibition, so visitors will also be able to see glass art from countries including Japan, Mexico, Norway, Australia, Uruguay and Ireland. This show runs from 28 August to 1 November 2026.

The World of Glass will also host live glassmaking demonstrations, hands-on workshops, family activities, community art projects and more. These core activities of the International Festival of Glass 2026 take place over the August Bank Holiday weekend (28-31 August 2026).

The exhibitions are free to visit.

Prior to the International Festival of Glass, artists can sign up for a range of Masterclasses. Find out more details here.

The World of Glass is at Chalon Way E, St Helens WA10 1BX, UK. Check the website for opening days/times.