Showcase rare glass skills at Endangered Crafts exhibition

A new exhibition featuring endangered glass crafts will be held at Stourbridge Glass Museum later this year (11 July-7 November 2026). Glass artists working with heritage techniques are invited to submit work for this major group exhibition, which is supported by Heritage Crafts (the UK’s national charity for traditional heritage crafts) and the Contemporary Glass Society (CGS).

Using the Heritage Crafts Red List of Endangered Crafts as a guiding framework, the ‘Endangered Crafts’ exhibition will showcase contemporary glass artists working within traditions that are at risk of being lost, alongside work that reflects on the importance of preserving specialist craft knowledge.

The glass crafts listed on the Heritage Crafts Red List include:

Extinct in the UK:

Mouth-blown sheet glass making

Critically Endangered:

Copper wheel glass engraving

Glass eye making

Cut crystal glass making

Endangered:

Scientific glassblowing

Neon making

Reverse glass sign painting

Brilliant cutting

Stained glass window making.

In addition, artists working in related endangered glass techniques are welcome to apply, where they can provide supporting information to demonstrate why their craft should be considered at risk.

Artists may submit up to three works for consideration for this selected show. Works may be for sale (the museum takes a 30% commission).

The exhibition will be accompanied by a programme of talks and demonstrations during the opening weekend.

The submission deadline is 31 March 2026, with successful artists notified in late April/early May. Artists may submit up to three pieces for consideration for a £15 administration fee.

Selected artists may also have the opportunity to take part in live demonstrations during the exhibition opening weekend, offering audiences insight into endangered glassmaking techniques.

Find out more and submit work via this link.