UK International Festival of Glass call for presentations

The International Festival of Glass (IFoG) moves to Northwest England on 27-31 August 2026, and new organiser the Glass Art Society (GAS) has put out a call for applications for masterclasses and presentations.

Activities for the biennial IFoG will take place throughout the Northwest, at venues in St Helens, Manchester and Liverpool.

GAS says, “Bringing the festival hub to St Helens marks a significant milestone, as this will be the first time the event has taken place in Northwest England. For nearly two centuries, St Helens has been at the forefront of glass innovation, from Pilkington’s invention of float glass to today’s pioneering sustainability efforts at Glass Futures. The festival will connect this rich legacy with international artists, researchers, and industry leaders, highlighting how local expertise continues to inspire and influence the global glass community.”

IFoG takes place every two years in the UK and is the only festival in the UK that celebrates glass. The creative programme of activities combines the full spectrum of glassmaking with other art forms to push boundaries and develop new opportunities, ideas, and collaborations for makers, artists, and performers.

The programme includes high-quality exhibitions, international masterclasses, artist demonstrations, and presentations featuring more than 500 artists. There will be workshops and hands-on activities, plus lively entertainment and evening events.

The flagship exhibition, the British Glass Biennale, is the largest and most important selling show of contemporary glass in the UK. The event also includes the International Bead and Jewellery Biennale, one of the foremost opportunities for beadmakers and glass jewellery artists around the world to showcase their craft.

Alongside these shows, GAS is excited to add a GAS Member Exhibition to the impressive line-up, which will be open to all members and student members of GAS.

Anyone interested in submitting a proposal for a masterclass or presentation must do so by 12 October 2025. Find out more and apply on the GAS website via this link.

Submissions for the British Glass Biennale, International Bead and Jewellery Exhibition and GAS Member Exhibition open on 2 December 2025.