Winners of Glass Sellers’/CGS Graduate Glass Prize announced

The winner of the joint Glass Sellers’ and Contemporary Glass Society (CGS) Graduate Glass Prize 2022 is Polly Thomas-Colquhoun, with her stained glass piece entitled ‘James’.

Polly’s work was selected from 43 applications from 13 British and Irish colleges/universities. In total, 19 glass graduates won prizes or had their work selected for inclusion in the CGS’ New Graduate Review 2022 publication. Four Winners, four Highly Commended, and 11 Commended graduates were chosen to be featured in the magazine.

Prizes included cash, vouchers for glass suppliers, inclusion in New Graduate Review magazine, CGS membership and books.

The full list of winners is:

1st Prize – Polly Thomas- Colquhoun, University of Wales Trinity St. David (MA)
2nd Prize – Sogon Kim, Royal College of Art, London (MA)
Runner Up – Eleanor Carney, University of Sunderland (MA)
Runner Up – Stephen Chadwick, Arts University Plymouth (BA)

Highly Commended – Charlott Rodgers, Edinburgh College of Art (MFA Glass)
Highly Commended – Rodrigues Goncalves, University of Sunderland (BA)
Highly Commended – Zoe Johnston, De Montfort University, Leicester (BA)
Highly Commended – Eleanor Hughes, University for the Creative Arts, Farnham (BA)

Commended – Christina Dembinska, University for the Creative Arts, Farnham (MA)
Commended – Emma Martin, University of Wales Trinity St. David (BA)
Commended – Sophia Lydia Henry, University of Wales & Trinity St. David (BA)
Commended – Kamila Ratuszynska, Nottingham Trent University (BA)
Commended – Ilze Jurševica, Nottingham Trent University (BA)
Commended – Angela George, University of Hertfordshire (BA)
Commended – Tulin Bedri, University of Wales Trinity St David (MA)
Commended – Georgia Hazell, De Montfort University, Leicester (BA)
Commended – Bonnie Mustoe-White, Arts University Plymouth (BA)
Commended – Valerie Bernardini, Morley College, London (BTec)
Commended – Shannon Baker, University for the Creative Arts, Farnham (BA)

The selection panel was: Bruno Romanelli (artist), Michael Barnes (glass collector/CGS Trustee), Sarah L Brown (glass artist/CGS Trustee) and Leigh Baildham (Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers of London Charity Fund). The judges were unanimous in their choice of the overall winner and praised the high standards of the entries.

Reacting to news of her win, Polly Thomas-Colquhoun said, “I am delighted to have won the Glass Sellers/CGS prize and for all the support that comes with it. Life as an art graduate can feel a little daunting at times, so to receive recognition for my work has filled me with confidence. I have such a passion for my craft and feel excited for all the future possibilities ahead of me. As a new graduate, it is amazing to be able to get my name and work out there. Thank you CGS and The Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers!”

Leigh Baildham, Chairman of Trustees at the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers of London Charity Fund, commented: “The Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers Charity Fund is delighted to be able to support the excellent Student Award given by the CGS. I was most impressed with the quality and diversity of design styles that were submitted this year. After the challenges of the pandemic, it’s clear that inspiration abounds in our future glass artist community. Please keep up the good work.”

The CGS New Graduate Review is a 16-page publication, which is circulated to all CGS members and associates worldwide.  It is also included as a supplement in Neues Glas – New Glass: Art & Architecture magazine.

CGS is grateful to all the sponsors who provided financial support and prizes for the Glass Prize and New Graduate Review 2022, without whom this help for graduates in glass would not be possible. Sponsors: Professor Michael Barnes MD FRCP, The Worshipful Company Of Glass Sellers of London Charity Fund, Creative Glass UK, Pearsons Glass, Warm Glass, Neues Glas – New Glass: Art & Architecture and Alan J Poole.

Main image (left to right): ‘James’ by first prize winner Polly Thomas-Colquhoun, second prize winner Sogon Kim’s ‘Interstellar I&II’, and runner-up Stephen Chadwick’s Yellow Hammer’.