International Festival of Glass and British Glass Biennale seek new organisers

August 2024 will see the International Festival of Glass celebrating its 20th anniversary with its 10th biennial gathering in Stourbridge, West Midlands.

However, the organisers have announced that this will be the last Festival organised by the Ruskin Mill Land Trust (RMLT). Festival Director Janine Christley and the RMLT Trustees have regretfully decided that they are longer able to commit the considerable time and attention needed to put on the Festival and the British Glass Biennale exhibition.

Janine explains, “Our focus must be on our primary charitable aim, working with young people with learning difficulties. We will continue promoting and supporting the glass community at The Glasshouse, with the research and development of glass made specifically for therapeutic use, a new dedicated gallery for the Ruskin Glass Collection and smaller glass-related events and exhibitions.”

However, she hopes this decision will not mark the end of these major events in the contemporary glass calendar. “We would welcome interest from any organisation or consortium who may be prepared to consider taking over the International Festival of Glass and/or the British Glass Biennale and would work with them on a handover after the next festival in August 2024,” she continues.

This decision does not jeopardise the 2024 event, which will take place as usual from 23-26 August 2024 in the Stourbridge Glass Quarter. The call for entries to the 2024 British Glass Biennale and the International Bead Biennale will be announced in autumn 2023, so start planning what you will submit for the final exhibition to be hosted by the RMLT.

If there is something you have always wanted to see or do in the Festival, email the organisers on ifg@rmlt.org.uk. And if you are interested in taking these events on beyond 2024, do contact them on the same email address.

www.ifg.org.uk

Image: View of the 2022 British Glass Biennale exhibition.