Now that the buildings of the Stourbridge Glass Museum are complete, attention has turned to the outside landscaping. The main feature of this is a new lighting structure at the front of the museum, which can change colour for different events.
Created and installed by Simworx Ltd of Kingswinford, the circular interpretation shows where the original cone used to be and reflects the heritage of the former White House cone and tunnels hidden beneath.
The British Glass Foundation, the charity that runs Stourbridge Glass Museum, secured £78,630 from FCC Communities Foundation towards the external landscaping at the museum, which includes the lighting structure, seating, cycle racks, artwork and interpretation panels.
The BGF commented, ‘The project has transformed the now fully refurbished former derelict Stuart Crystal site in Wordsley into a world-class glass museum and a new home for the renowned Stourbridge Glass collection. The museum was formally opened by HRH The Duke of Gloucester on 19 April 2023. Funding was secured from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the internal fit-out of the museum.’
Find out more about Stourbridge Glass Museum here.
Image: The design of the new lighting structure is reminiscent of the White House cone that once sat on the site.
We are sad to report that Ed Burke – the ‘E’ in E&M Glass – passed away on 15 May 2023, surrounded by his family.
Ed was a Master Glassblower, with a great skill for stemware and tableware and a love of geometric style glass.
He worked in the glass industry for over 35 years and could put his hand to most challenges that came his way, working with his wife Margaret, along with his son Charlie and daughter-in-law Amelia.
Ed discovered glass at the age of 18 and embarked on a career in the medium. Studying at college he obtained a BA (Hons) degree in glass design and then worked and learned from many established glassmakers.
In 1988 he built his own furnace and studio and began producing his unique style of glassware on the Welsh/English border.
Norway’s S12 Gallery is celebrating the work of new graduates and emerging artists in its ‘Young & Loving!’ exhibition, which is on until 30 July 2023.
‘Young & Loving’ is described as a humorous translation of ‘young and promising’, pointing to the exhibition’s focus on new artists. An exploratory approach to glass as part of an artistic expression is a particular feature of this exhibition, which has been held annually since 2007, apart from a break of a few years recently.
Glass has an incredible ability to transform and renew itself. It can be shaped both cold and hot. It is neither liquid nor solid, but shares properties from both states. Glass can be transparent, reflect, transmit or absorb light. This broad range in the material is also reflected in this year’s exhibition, which represents a diversity of expressions, where themes such as emotions, form and cultural identity are examined from each individual’s unique perspective.
The artists participating are Charlotte Avigail Jutrem Cohen (NO/ISR), Marie Breyen Hauschildt (DK), Suh Moon Ju (KR), Joshua Kerley (GB), Maria Helena Nerhus (NO) and Kwun Lan Wong (HK).
Joshua Kerley makes objects that are inherently un-glasslike and aims to reassess the traditional perceptions of glass technically, aesthetically, and materially. His works transcend traditional boundaries, arouse curiosity, and challenge the viewer’s comprehension of the material world.
Marie Breyen Hauschildt has been working with the words ‘something that comes out of something’, investigating shapes and stories that mimic the transformations of something that moves from one place to another. The result is a series of abstract sculptures that almost resemble living creatures.
S12 Gallery is at Bontelabo 2, 5003 Bergen, Norway. Find out more via the website.
Image: (left) work by Joshua Kerley and (right) sculptures by Marie Breyen Hauschildt.
In response to the recent news that historic stained glass window making has been placed on the Heritage Crafts Association’s (HCA) Red List of Endangered Crafts, the chairman of the British Society of Master Glass Painters (BSMGP), Steve Clare, has launched an appeal to the public to help secure its future. He is inviting people to make a donation to the Master Glass Painters Trust so that the organisation can action its goals.
The BSMGP was the principal advisor to the HCA in identifying the risks challenging the industry. These include:
Aging practitioners and a loss of opportunity for them to pass on their skills
The decline in dedicated educational courses
The decreasing use of contemporary stained glass commissions in buildings
The scarcity and high cost of materials.
The goals of the BSMGP are:
To inspire and support a new generation to enter the stained glass profession
To foster a resurgence in stained glass commissions and opportunities
To nurture a strong stained glass community.
How will the money be used?
Work to increase diversity within the sector and encourage and assist young people through apprenticeships and work placements towards careers in stained glass
Establish a mentorship programme so that emerging artists have the support they need to achieve their potential
Develop an outreach campaign to encourage architects and interior designers to use stained glass in new and historic buildings
Support regular stained glass exhibitions, competitions and opportunities, including a new prize at the British Glass Biennale in 2024.
See the organisation’s detailed plans for the future here.
Ideally, the One Thousand Friends appeal is seeking one-off donations of £1,000 to the Master Glass Painters Trust, enabling people to become a Friend. However, donations of anything from £1 will be gratefully received. Supporters can also become a Member from £45 a year, which includes the Journal of Stained Glass, or become a Friend by making a one-off donation to the Master Glass Painters Trust of £50, £100, £250, £500, £1000 or more.
All Friends receive an emailed quarterly Newsletter with updates on the appeal and those who donate over £500 will be recognised in the Journal of Stained Glass and can receive a Patron of the Master Glass Painters Trust logo to include on their website.
Glass artist and designer Yaron Meyer has an exhibition at The Onion Garden in London this June.
Originally from Israel, he describes himself as a lampworker, blacksmith, welder and more. He studied at the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design, developing his skills in glassblowing to combine with his experience in metal work.
The show opens on 1 June and continues until 30 June 2023.
The Lord Mayor of Westminster launches the event on 1 June at 5pm, followed by a drinks reception and musical entertainment from 5.30pm-9pm.
The Onion Garden is at 5 Seaforth Place, London SW1E 6AB.
Find out more about his diverse body of work here.
Image: Glasswork by Yaron Meyer that will be displayed at the tranquil Onion Garden.
International art exhibition, ‘The Enchanted Garden’ celebrates its 10th show in beautiful grounds in Belgium this June.
Predominantly featuring outdoor sculptures in a variety of media, the event will exhibit the works of artists from the Czech Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, UK and US.
Between opening on 9 June and closing on 15 October 2023, the displays will change four times. The Enchanted Garden is open on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 1pm to 8pm.
New alongside this year’s exhibition will be ‘(E)motion – Poems communicate with Sculptures’, presenting poems inspired by the sculptures.
Five British and Irish-based Glass artists are exhibiting for the first time at the Enchanted Garden in 2023.
Helen Twigge-Molecey is an award-winning artist and designer who enjoys working in different media and especially glass. She is interested in how you can effect change through a positive experience. Underpinning her work is a desire to make it beautiful, simple accessible and fun.
Emma Butler-Cole Aiken has discovered that traditional stained glass window skills also are ideally suited to creating robust garden sculptural artwork. Every aspect of material and construction – from the protective lead to the fired-on painted details – lasts for over 100 years in a cathedral window, so why not in a garden?
Amber Hiscott works internationally as an innovative architectural stained glass artist from her studio in Wales. She specialises in large-scale commissioned work in glass in the public domain.
Julie Coakley designs and makes complex patterns that are inspired by her love of travel. She is exhibiting a range of daisy-inspired fused glass pieces.
Ireland’s Helen Hancock combines her experience in making glass and educating women in breastfeeding by creating a unique concept – the breastfeeding milk glass for mothers, as a reminder of feeding her baby. She is exhibiting ‘hanging plants’ sculptures.
Between 5 and 23 June 2023 Contemporary Glass Society (CGS) members can submit images of glassworks that fit the theme of ‘Small but Magnificent’ for the next CGS online exhibition.
As CGS chair Susan Purser Hope says, “It’s quality not quantity that counts, so artworks do not need to be large, dominant or take up space to be of value or to inspire. Smallness can be just as magnificent as a huge piece of sculpture.”
This online selling exhibition is looking for little pieces of gorgeousness which are no bigger than 15cms in any aspect. They can be jewellery, beads, bowls, small artworks – really anything that is little, beautiful and inspiring.
This show is open to CGS members and items will be for sale online via the artists themselves. If you’d like to submit your work for this exhibition but aren’t yet a member of CGS, why not join via this link?
Full details of how to enter will be available to members from 5 June 2023.
The show goes live on 3 July 2023 and will be online for just over a month.
Master Glassblower Tom Young MBE passed away on 22 May 2023.
Tom was not only a master glassblower; he also had an outstanding knowledge of glassblowing. He was generous with his time and talent, never hesitating to help many glassblowers as they embarked on their careers.
Tom had been making glass for 70 years – from the age of 14 to 84. It truly was his life’s passion.
Tom was born in Glasgow in the late 1930s. He left school with few qualifications, but his brother suggested he apply to R & J Wood, based in the city centre, who were looking for apprentice glassblowers. They made medical and laboratory glassware for hospitals, universities and government research laboratories. Tom began his apprenticeship under Joe McCulloch and, when Joe decided to start up on his own, Tom followed as his assistant.
Scottish glassblowers were mainly employed in the chemicals industry, as 1950s Britain was recovering from the Second World War. As an apprentice Tom made multiples and this repetitive work led to his decision to move to Loughborough University’s chemistry glassblowing department.
In 1967 Tom became one of the first members of staff at the newly built Stirling University, where he led the Glassblowing Department. He was often asked to make decorative pieces for friends, family and charity auctions. This brought out his creative side and he started making decorative animals and perfume bottles. A popular product was a glass pig with a half penny inside, called ‘A Lucks Penny’.
Tom was awarded Master Glassblower status in 1977 by The British Society of Scientific Glassblowers (BSSG).
In 1979 Tom left the university to start his own lampworking business, Village Glass. He found a disused bakery in Bridge of Allan, which was perfect for glassblowing. With assistance from Scottish Development, his studio became a tourist attraction. Alongside, he continued to make lab equipment and supplied many of the distilleries and local university and research centres with glassware.
Tom was a founder member of The Scottish Glass Society and The BSSG Scottish Section. He was keen to keep the craft of lampworking alive and trained many apprentices, some of whom have gone on to become renowned glassblowers themselves.
The glassblowing studio and workshop moved to high street premises in 1999. Among his achievements, Tom designed the millennium spirit bowl, used for spirit safes in distilleries worldwide, a glass slipper for the Royal Ballet, plus various projects for Johnnie Walker, including thousands of glass pens for a promotional campaign.
In 1998 Tom’s Daughter Karen joined the business. When he reached 65 years old, Tom decided to retire and the retail business was sold as a going concern. Tom converted his summerhouse in the garden into a small studio and continued to make what he wanted without the pressure of running the business.
In 2012 Tom was inspired by a film named ‘The Angels’ Share’. This is the term for the small amount of evaporation that occurs when whisky is maturing in the cask. He decided to represent this phenomenon by creating a handblown glass angel, filling it with whisky and sealing it forever. Karen came back and helped Tom launch Angels’ Share Glass to market the angels from premises in Bridge of Allan. He trained new glassblowers for the venture, which remains a recognised Scottish glass manufacturer today.
Tom was awarded an MBE in 2017 for his services to the glassblowing industry and his talent and legacy will live on in the people he has taught.
His archive is being digitalised and his designs and processes recorded, to inspire and train the glassblowers of the future.
Image: Tom Young creating the lampworked glass he loved.
If you are graduating from a British or Irish accredited course in 2023 and you work with glass, don’t forget to apply for this year’s Glass Sellers’ and Contemporary Glass Society (CGS) Prize.
From 5 June 2023 you will be able to apply for this exciting opportunity via the CGS website, offering the chance to win prizes of cash, vouchers, books and CGS membership, plus a subscription to Neues Glass – New Glass: Art & Architecture magazine.
In addition, the winner, second prize winner, two runners up and commended works will appear in the annual CGS New Graduate Review – a 16-page publication that is circulated globally by CGS and Neues Glass – New Glass: Art & Architecture, providing invaluable publicity.
PRIZE DETAILS
First Prize: £500 cash £200 vouchers from Creative Glass UK A promotional package, including cover and feature in New Graduate Review Two years’ CGS membership A year’s subscription to Neues Glas – New Glass: Art & Architecture magazine Alan J Poole will provide a selection of glass-related books.
Second Prize: £150 cash £100 voucher from Warm Glass A year’s subscription to Neues Glas – New Glass: Art & Architecture magazine One year’s CGS membership.
Runners-Up Prizes: Two Runners-up will each receive: £50 vouchers from Pearsons Glass A year’s subscription to Neues Glas – New Glass: Art & Architecture magazine One year’s CGS membership.
There will also be an online exhibition on the CGS website showing all the work featured in the New Graduate Review 2023.
SELECTION CRITERIA
You must be graduating from a British or Irish accredited course in 2023. Work must consist of at least 50% glass. The work will be judged for quality and concept.
As students emerge from their education, CGS and the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers aim to support graduates at the beginning of their journey towards a long career in glass making. The New Graduate Review offers graduates the chance to promote their work to a worldwide audience, with many previous winners going on to establish themselves as professional makers.
A panel of experts will select the prize winners. Winning entries will be announced by 14 August 2023.
The application period runs from 5 June to 17 July 2023. Full details and application forms will be available on CuratorSpace via this link.
CGS thanks all the sponsors who have made these opportunities possible: the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers of London Charity Fund, Professor Michael Barnes MC, Creative Glass, Pearsons Glass, Warm Glass, Neues Glas – New Glass: Art & Architecture and Alan J Poole.
New Designers (ND), the UK’s largest graduate design event, returns to the Business Design Centre, London, for its annual gathering this June and July, attracting industry and members of the public interested in the freshest innovators in design.
ND takes place over two separate weeks and features different craft and design disciplines each week, with over 3,000 creative graduates celebrating innovative and exciting emerging design talent.
Among the graduates exhibiting glass this year is Nuala Torp, showing with Manchester School of Art. She specialises in glass and ceramics and says that her work exists to distract from the formality of the everyday. She has developed playful processes that question the perceived. Torp works instinctively and often spontaneously to find a balance between materials, colour and form. This creates a unique and distinctive visual language, as seen in her recent project, Ludic (pictured).
Ludic vases by Nuala Torp will be among the glass work displayed. Photo courtesy of the artist and Manchester School of Art.
ND Selects
ND Selects is a curated space dedicated to shining a light on new businesses in the design industry. Visitors can expect to see products that have just made it to market. Each exhibitor is hand-selected by a panel of industry experts for their innovative designs. This year’s curator is Louisa Pacifico, founder of Future Icons. Louisa selects makers and designers to represent and nurture through business consultancy and curated showcases.
ND Awards
This year’s ND Awards programme offers over 30 awards, in the form of prizes and industry opportunities, from some of the UK’s leading design brands, including Hallmark, Joseph Joseph, Anglepoise, Tatty Devine and Habitat.
ND Futures
ND Futures is the schools programme aimed at 15-18 year olds, offering them guidance and inspiration in the hope that they will consider a career in design. 2023 sees the introduction of the ND Futures Fund, whereby visitors can donate at checkout to enable underprivileged school children in the borough to visit ND and start their journey on a design career.
ND Educates
Alongside the exhibitions, there will be inspiring talks and workshops from leading brands, designers and industry experts presenting insights into the latest design trends and themes in the sector.
Founded in 1985, ND has helped launch the careers of some of the UK’s most prolific designers, including Bethan Gray, Jay Osgerby, Stella McCartney and Lee Broom. It provides a platform for graduates to present their visionary ideas to the public and industry professionals. It is presented by Immediate Media.
The latest details of New Designers 2023 can be found here and ticket options are available via this link. Contemporary Glass Society (CGS) members can get a special 20% discount off full ticket prices bought in advance – look out for the code in the CGS weekly emails.
Main image: A view of New Designers 2022. Photo courtesy of New Designers.
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