Come along to Stourbridge Glass Museum on Saturday 23 July 2022 for ‘Hands On’, a day of discussion and exploration of contemporary glass.
Hands On is an in-person gathering at the recently-opened museum and one of many events being held in 2022 to mark the Contemporary Glass Society’s (CGS) 25th anniversary and the UN-designated International Year of Glass. The International Year of Glass has partly funded the day.
Attendees will be able to visit the exhibition ‘CGS at 25: Past, Present, the Future’, as well as hear presentations from glass artists and Andy McConnell, the glass expert from the BBC tv series ‘Antiques Roadshow’.
The artists speaking will be Georgia Redpath, Chris Day and Nina Casson McGarva.
Hands On takes place at the Stourbridge Glass Museum, High Street, Wordsley, Stourbridge DY8 4FB from 10.00am to 4.30pm on 23 July 2022. The cost is £11, which includes tea and coffee. Please bring your own lunch.
There are limited spaces for this exciting event so please book early.
There is car parking on site and at the Red House Glass Cone opposite.
Please email Pam at CGS (admin@cgs.org.uk) for details of how to pay by PayPal or bank transfer, or post a cheque made out to CGS to: CGS, The White House, Ipswich Rd, Dickleburgh IP21 4NJ.
St Mary Redcliffe church in Bristol, England, is inviting designs for four stained glass windows to replace four that were removed in 2020.
The panels were removed because they commemorated Edward Colston, who was a prominent merchant, Tory Member of Parliament, philanthropist and slave trader in the area in the 17th century.
The new stained glass panels will sit at the base of the North Transept stained glass window, which tells the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10. 25–37). The new designs should reflect the theme of the main window, namely ‘And who is my neighbour?’.
The church is looking for creative and imaginative designs that will work well across the four small panels of glass that run along the bottom of the north transept’s central window. The new design should not be seen in isolation and must sit comfortably within the context of the north transept as a whole.
You do not need to be a stained-glass artist/designer to enter. If the winning design is by a non-stained-glass artist, a stained glass studio will be appointed to work with them.
Designs must be submitted on paper or digitally by the deadline of Sunday 10 July 2022.
More information, images of the window panels, and the application form are available via this link.
In 2023 the Glass Art Society (GAS) will be holding its annual conference in Detroit, Michigan, USA (7-10 June). It is asking for individuals and organisations in the glass community to share their knowledge and experience at next year’s meeting.
The GAS conference organisers are looking for people to present demos, lectures, lecmos (a mix of lecture and demo), panels, and anything in between.
The 2023 conference will focus on the community, collaboration, and crossover that is so prevalent in Detroit and is therefore looking for presentations on the following topics:
Techniques and collaborations in all areas of glass;
Career development or involvement in the glass community;
Making from around the world and underrepresented communities;
Current trends, ideas or issues related to glass making, study or community;
Artists or organisations that focus on social justice in their practice, such as voting rights, climate justice, healthcare, refugee crisis, racial injustice, income gap, gun violence, gender inequality, hunger and food insecurity, LGBTQ oppression, and disability rights and accessibility.
It is free to apply and the deadline to send in your proposal is 17 July 2022.
The latest round of applications for craft development funding from The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) opens on 11 July 2022. Successful applicants can use the money to extend their craft practice through further training and mentoring programmes.
QEST awards scholarship and apprenticeship funding of up to £18,000 to talented and aspiring craftspeople working in a broad range of traditional and contemporary skills twice a year (January and July).
The next application round is open 11 July – 15 August 2022.
Since it was founded in 1990, QEST has awarded over £5.2million to 675 individuals working in over 130 different crafts. QEST defines craft broadly and welcomes applications from all areas, including rural skills, contemporary craft, conservation, luthiery and more.
Read about the two latest contemporary glass funding recipients here.
Interested makers can attend a Zoom ‘How To’ session to find out more about the application process and for helpful tips on filling out the application forms.
‘How To Apply For A QEST Scholarship’ is on two dates: Wednesday 13 July 2022 at 4pm. Register in advance here. Thursday 28 July 2022 at 4pm – register here.
‘How To Apply For A QEST Apprenticeship’ is on Tuesday 19 July 2022 at 4pm. Register here.
Find out more about QEST and previous recipients of awards via the website https://www.qest.org.uk
Among many events and exhibitions to mark its 25-year anniversary, the Contemporary Glass Society (CGS) is curating an exhibition entitled ‘Earth/Sea/Sky’, to be shown at London Glassblowing Gallery from 1 to 23 July 2022.
In this juried show, curated by Cathryn Shilling, the selected artists will showcase new and exciting works. Some are of a collaborative nature, either through working together with another artist or by combining materials and/or techniques.
This diverse exhibition will be shown both online and in the gallery at London Glassblowing, in Bermondsey Street, London.
London Glassblowing’s Peter Layton, one of the founders of the CGS, will host an online tour of the exhibition on 5 July 2022 at 6.30pm (UK time). Peter will guide you through several exclusive artworks in the gallery. Please register here to receive the Zoom link to join the tour online.
Online Panel Discussion
In addition, on Thursday 7 July at 6.30pm (UK time), London Glassblowing will also be holding a live-streamed artists’ panel discussion. It will be hosted by Tim Rawlinson and feature Verity Pulford, Laura Quinn and Vanessa Cutler.
The artists will discuss their ideas and creative processes and there will be the opportunity to ask them questions at the end of the talk. Please register here for the Zoom link.
‘Earth/Sea/Sky’ exhibitors: Andrea Spencer, Angela Jarman, Cara Wassenberg, Charlotte McClelland, Cheryl Wilson Smith with Jerre Davidson, Chi-son Chang, Claire Hall with Susannah Crook, David Reekie, Deborah Timperley, Dominic Fondé with Junko Tominaga, Effie Burns with Emily Georgina Jones, Emma Goring, Fiona Fawcett, Hannah Gibson, Helen Grierson, Helen Hancock, Jacky Edwards with Yvette Bartlett, Jane Reeves, Jane Vincent, Janine Greenberg, Jianyong Guo, Julie Light, Juliette Leperlier, Katherine Huskie, Kathleen Gillies, Laura Quinn, Linda Norris, Monette Larsen with Megan Rowden, Nancy Sutcliffe, Nour El Huda Awad, Peter Layton, Pippa Stacey with Liz Pearson, Purnima Patel, Rachel Elliott, Ruth Shelley, Samantha Donaldson, Sarah Brown, Sogon Kim, Susan Kinley, Susan Sinclair, Tim Rawlinson with Graeme Reeves, Vanessa Cutler, and Verity Pulford.
London Glassblowing is at 62-66 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3UD. Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-5pm. https://londonglassblowing.co.uk
Image: Detail of artwork by Verity Pulford, who is taking part in the artists’ panel discussion online.
The Design Trust has created a new online workshop, ‘Creative Commissions’, to help artists and designers make the most of craft commissions for private and corporate clients.
The course will cover aspects such as how to market yourself, how to price properly for time and experience (and all the hard work that goes into commissions) and how to manage yourself, the client and the project.
It is suitable for makers and designers who are new to commissions, but also for those who want to get more and better commissions, or who want to charge more and be better organised.
The online course comprises two half-days on Thursday 14 July and Friday 15 July 2022 (10am-1pm UK time), plus three one-hour expert interviews. These interviews include: a creative talking about how she obtains and manages her large-scale commissions; an interior designer who regularly works with makers for her exciting interior projects, plus The Lettering Trust as a commissioning agency.
For anyone who can’t make these dates, everything will be recorded, with access available until 31 December 2022.
Contemporary Glass Society (CGS) members can get a 15% discount off the price of this course until 12 July 2022. Please email CGS administrator Pam on: admin@cgs.org.uk so she can confirm you are a member and pass on the coupon code to you. You can also spread the cost and pay in three monthly instalments if you wish.
Find out more about the course and book via this link.
Image: Patricia van den Akker, Director of The Design Trust, will be running the course.
The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) has announced that two contemporary glass artists are among those receiving awards in the latest funding round.
Debbie Copley is a stained glass artist with 15 years of experience. She is largely self-taught, coming from a technical background in mechanical engineering and draughtmanship.
As a scholar, her QEST funding will support a tailored intensive learning programme to broaden her knowledge of traditional stained glass. Through networking and exploring she will be better equipped with skills and confidence to take her practice to the next level.
Her award will include a 12-month mentoring programme with Deborah Lowe (Fellow of the BSMGP); a masterclass in glass painting, silver staining and enamelling with Jonathan Cooke at Swansea AGC; an advanced one-to-one painting masterclass with Surinder Warboys in Suffolk and life drawing classes with Catherine Macdermid in Kendal.
Nerida Whale receives funding as a QEST Apprentice. She studied fused glass, ceramics and silversmithing at Portsmouth University and has since developed experience working as a glass artist. She aspires to become proficient in all aspects of stained glass conservation and would also like to expand her contemporary stained glass techniques and experience, allowing her to experiment in producing fused glass pieces.
Stained glass by Nerida Whale.
Nerida’s QEST Apprenticeship will support two days of work-based training a week for one year with Lizzie Hippisley-Cox, founder and director of Eden Stained Glass. During this time, Nerida will work on a range of stained-glass conservation projects and build on her bench skills.
Afterwards, she hopes to continue working in glass conservation, while also exploring stained glass, fused glass and how the two can be used together.
QEST supports the training and education of talented and aspiring craftspeople through traditional college courses, vocational training, apprenticeships and one-to-one training with a master craftsperson, helping to support Britain’s cultural heritage and sustain vital skills in traditional and contemporary crafts.
QEST has awarded £5million to over 600 individuals working across the UK in 130 different craft disciplines since it was founded in 1990.
Funding of up to £18,000 per applicant is awarded twice a year, with the next round of applications opening from 11 July to 15 August 2022. Find out more about QEST and its awards via the website: https://www.qest.org.uk/apply/scholarships/
The newly opened Stourbridge Glass Museum is set to strengthen its work with the community and expand its exhibitions following the appointment of a curator and projects officer.
Passionate about Black Country heritage, new appointee Harrison Davies will oversee the development of a programme of outreach activities aimed at engaging local people in the history of Stourbridge glass making. He will also be responsible for ensuring that the Museum’s globally significant collection and temporary exhibitions continue to evolve.
Harrison holds a BA (hons) in Archaeology and Ancient History and is currently completing an MA Conservation of the Historic Environment. He previously worked as collections inventory assistant for Birmingham Museums Trust, specialising in Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery’s historical collections and artworks, including glass.
Harrison will also play a key role in developing the Museum’s contribution to the upcoming British Glass Biennale and the 2022 International Year of Glass.
Harrison commented: “Stourbridge Glass Museum is undoubtedly a jewel in the crown of the area’s glassmaking heritage and I’m very excited about building a calendar of attractions that will keep the public interested and entertained for years to come. I’m also really delighted to be working with the trustees to create innovative ways of presenting the permanent and temporary exhibitions to keep things exciting and fresh for both regular and new visitors.”
Welcoming Harrison, Graham Knowles, chair of the trustees, said: “Stourbridge Glass Museum has got off to a fantastic start, with huge public interest from across the region. So it’s great to have Harrison on board and I’m looking forward to working together to build on our opening success and generate even more interest in glassmaking among people of all age groups and backgrounds.”
Dr Audrey Whitty, who is a trustee and head of collections and learning at National Museum of Ireland, added: “Harrison’s experience, passion and talent are second to none and I know these traits will benefit Stourbridge Glass Museum and its visitors for years to come.”
Harrison will also develop partnerships with other glassmaking attractions in the area, including the neighbouring Red House Glass Cone and Ruskin Mill Glass Centre.
The City & Guilds of London Art School is offering an Artist Glass Fellow position starting in October 2022.
The post offers a unique opportunity for an artist to develop their own practice in the Glass Workshop, working alongside artist Anne Petters, who runs the facility with technical input from artist Philippa Beveridge.
The not-for-profit art school says the successful applicant will have an undergraduate and postgraduate qualification in Fine Art/Sculpture or equivalent, and will demonstrate a commitment to contemporary art practice that involves glass or glass-based practices.
The Glass Workshop is described as ‘a small but dynamic learning facility’, where students from across the art school’s courses are introduced to, and taught, processes involved in working with glass, particularly slumping, casting and construction.
The new fellow must be available in the Glass Workshop on average 1 day per week during undergraduate term time, supporting and supervising students under the direction of the Workshop technical team.
In return the successful applicant will receive access to the Glass Workshop to pursue their own practice at times agreed with the workshop team, training and experience in advanced technical aspects of glass processes and an exhibition space and promotion as part of the MA and Fellows Show at the Art School in September 2023.
The application deadline is 8 July 2022.
Find out more about the application process and complete the application form via this link.
To celebrate its quarter century of representing and promoting contemporary glass, the Contemporary Glass Society (CGS) is presenting a three-month-long exhibition entitled, ‘CGS at 25: Past, Present, the Future’ at the new Stourbridge Glass Museum.
From humble beginnings 25 years ago, CGS has developed into a thriving and proactive society supporting a membership of over 1,100 British and international contemporary glass artists.
This exhibition tells the history of both CGS and the world through glass artwork from the past 25 years. It covers a range of techniques by 25 of the UK’s greatest glass artists.
‘Follow my leader’ by glass caster David Reekie.
Artists represented in the exhibition include founding members of the CGS, such as Peter Layton of London Glassblowing, the legendary Keith Cummings who has taken kiln-formed glass to new heights, renowned casters David Reekie and Colin Reid, Alison Kinnaird MBE, Catherine Hough, Sally Fawkes and engraver Katharine Coleman MBE.
‘Mesozoic Vessel’ by Catherine Hough.
This roll call of excellence continues with the unique technical skills of Anthony Scala, Gilles Jones, Angela Jarman, Max Jacquard and Bruno Romanelli.
Glass work by Nina Casson McGarva.
The Present is represented by the glass of Cathryn Shilling, Ayako Tani, James Maskrey, Jo Mitchell, Nancy Sutcliffe, Nina Casson McGarva, Frans Wesselman, Jeff Zimmer and Keiko Mukaide.
‘Vision’ by Ayako Tani. Photo: Jo Howell.
The emerging stars include the pâte de verre of Joshua Kerley, Elliot Walker (winner of season two of Netflix’s ‘Blown Away’ tv glass competition), and Chris Day, winner of the commission sponsored by CGS and Stourbridge Museum.
In addition, CGS introduces its graduate glass prize winner for 2021, Erica Poyser, as a clarion call for the next generation of contemporary glass artists.
The exhibition demonstrates the development of contemporary glass processes and concepts and looks into the future with work from emerging contemporary glass artists. It highlights a diverse range of glassmaking processes, including blown, cast, engraved, stained, pate de verre, digitally cut and designed glass, lampworking and kiln-formed.
Susan Purser Hope, Chair of CGS, commented, “This cornucopia of glass delights reflects the dynamism and sheer talent of contemporary glass in this country which has blossomed over the last 25 years. ‘CGS at 25: Past, Present, the Future’ marks a seminal moment in the creative history of the United Kingdom and is not to be missed!”
The exhibition opens on 23 July 2022 and runs until 30 October 2022 at the Stourbridge Glass Museum, Stuart Works, High Street, Stourbridge, DY8 4FB. More information on Stourbridge Glass museum via the website: www.stourbridgeglassmuseum.org.uk
Main image: ‘Cello R1345’, cast glass by Colin Reid.
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