Contemporary Glass SocietyNew Noticeboards and reviews
I’m sharing Pokesdown Gallery’s inugural exhibition with printmaker Sarah Humby. It’s during the Dorset Art Weeks (weekends only, or by arrangement). The opening is on Thursday evening, 21st May 6-8pm, CGS members welcome.
pokesdowngallery.co.uk
841 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth BH7 6AR
I’m sharing Pokesdown Gallery’s inugural exhibition with printmaker Sarah Humby. It’s during the Dorset Art Weeks (weekends only, or by arrangement). The opening is on Thursday evening, 21st May 6-8pm, CGS members welcome.
Offers Open: ‘A Reasonable Donation’
Contact: Russell Ford
Email: Russell.ford@norwood.org.uk
The British Glass Biennale is back in 2026 as part of the International Festival of Glass, presenting a diverse range of works from both established and emerging glass artists working across the UK.
Organised by the Glass Art Society (GAS), the British Glass Biennale has been a flagship exhibition within the glass art world for over 20 years, and is the largest selling event of contemporary glass art. Showcasing artists from across the UK, it attracts an international audience looking to discover contemporary developments within glass art, both in technique and subject matter.
‘The British Glass Biennale is a highlight of the glass art calendar’ says GAS Executive Director, Brandi Clark. ‘The exhibition provides an opportunity for both established artists, and those who are at the start of their artistic careers, to share their works and ideas with a national and international audience. It is a fantastic opportunity to learn about new techniques and concepts being explored by contemporary glass artists.’
Artists taking part in the British Glass Biennale were selected from almost 400 applications by a panel of jurors. Alongside international jurors Tami Landis and Jeff Sarmiento, was British glass artist Louis Thompson. With over 30 years experience in glass art, as well as a former winner of the Biennale Best in Show award, Louis, alongside his fellow jurors, brought a wealth of experience and knowledge to the panel.
Commenting on the process, Louis explained ‘The task of any juror is never easy. I was impressed by the diversity and volume of submissions, the standard of work was high in all disciplines and
demonstrated richness, depth, and the quality of British glass today. Working with my fellow jurors, we discussed, debated and expressed our views before agreeing to the final selection. The selected artists engage in a visual dialogue, creating a landscape, which showcases intent, skilland conceptual understanding.’
Artists selected to exhibit their work in the Biennale include Alison Kinnaird, Colin Reid, Phillipa Candy, Camilla Bridgewater, Bruno Romanelli, and Jeff Zimmer.
Opening to the public on Friday 28th August at The World of Glass, St Helens, UK, the exhibition will run until the end of October 2026.
A further two exhibitions are held as part of the International Festival of Glass and will run alongside the British Glass Biennale – the International GAS Member Exhibition, and the
International Bead and Jewellery Exhibition. A full list of selected artists will be available on the GAS website.
As the largest selling exhibition of contemporary glass in the UK, and with almost 200 artists represented across all three exhibitions, collectors, visitors, curators, and anyone with an interest in glass art will be able to see a range of styles, methods, and concepts from some of the leading glass artists working today.
About the British Glass Biennale
The British Glass Biennale is dedicated to showcasing the best in contemporary glass art in the UK. Held every two years, it provides a platform for artists to present innovative work and engage with a global audience. The Biennale is supported by a number of charities and organisations who provide awards for exhibiting artists. In 2026, these include the British Society of Master Glass Painters & The Worshipful Company of Glaziers, The Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers, the Guild of Glass Engravers, Bullseye UK, and Warm Glass UK.
About the International Festival of Glass
The International Festival of Glass takes place in the UK every two years. In 2026, the venue for the Festival is The World of Glass, St Helens, UK. Taking place from the 28th – 31st August 2026, as well as the three exhibitions, visitors can expect to see live demonstrations, talks, activities, evening events, and community projects. The Festival acts as a hub for networking for artists, collectors, curators, and industry professionals. It is also a great opportunity for anyone with an interest in glass art to find out more about contemporary glass art.
About the Glass Art Society
The Glass Art Society (GAS) is an international, not for profit organisation with the mission to connect, inspire, and empower all facets of the global glass community. Along with other international events, such as the GAS Annual Conference and GAS Travel Programme, GAS is responsible for the management and development of the International Festival of Glass.
Contact
For further details or enquiries, please contact Jennifer Allison, GAS Events and Programme Manager: jennifer@glassart.org
Come and indulge your creativity with a 3-day stained-glass workshop (5th -7th August) with Award winning artist and Tutor Kate Henderson.
This workshop will include time for you to experiment with techniques of glass painting, enamels and silver stain, an opportunity for you to develop a series of painterly marks or traditional images on glass. Then using lead along with a range of coloured glass create a stained-glass panel around 50cm x 40cm. This could be a fantastic opportunity to gain experience a new skill and create something beautiful for your home. Designs/templates can be supplied but I am also happy to guide you to create your own design to complete within the time frame of the course.
See my website for further details: www.katehenderson.co.uk
On 25 April 2026, Manchester Museum were delighted to welcome Professor Jianyong Guo, an internationally renowned glass artist, for a special lecture and hands‑on workshop exploring the contemporary innovation of traditional Chinese snuff bottle inner painting.
In his lecture, Professor Guo shared the history, technical challenges and exquisite craftsmanship of traditional Chinese snuff bottle inner painting. He explained how he has revitalised this ancient art by integrating it into contemporary glass sculpture, merging his own sculptural and painting languages directly into glass forms, bringing new creative life to traditional heritage.
‘This lecture is based on my PhD research completed at the University of Sunderland in 2016. I will continue to promote this creative approach and hope to offer some inspiration to more glass art creators’. Jianyong Guo, 25/4/2026
See the attached PDF for further information.
The exhibition brings together her signature ethereal glasswork with new porcelain works, shaped by Verity’s enduring fascination with nature.
“My work is inspired by the complexity of life, particularly the intricate structures and growth patterns found in nature. I am drawn to cryptogamic plants such as lichen, moss, and algae, as well as fungi, and the textures and forms of marine creatures, invertebrates, and coral. I am influenced by how being in nature—and observing it closely—makes me feel. How in both this experience and through the experience of making I find a place of quiet, safety and solace. I often explore ideas of magical realism, creating hybrid forms inspired by, or combining, different plants and organisms”
Verity Pulford is based in Eryrys, North Wales. She recently won the Gold Medal for Craft and Design at The National Eisteddfod of Wales, 2025. Her work is sold in leading galleries, exhibited internationally and collected by private and public institutions. She is a QEST Scholar, part of the Homo Faber Guide and member of the Guild of Makers of Wales. Verity has exhibited at Collect – the leading art fair for collectable contemporary craft and the British Glass Biennale on several occasions.
Verity has been awarded Arts Council of Wales grants for three major projects and WAI funding for a residency at the renowned Chihuly’s Pilchuck Art School in Seattle. She has also completed a funded residency at North Lands Creative Glass Studio in Caithness. Verity has undertaken several projects in healthcare including Walton Centre Liverpool and Betsi Cadwaladr sites.
Please contact Ruthin Craft Centre for more information on the talks and educational programme linked to the show.
Ruthin Craft Centre The Centre for the Applied Arts, Park Road, Ruthin, Denbighshire LL15 1BB. Contact: +44 (0)1824 774801 Email: ruthincraftcentre@dll.co.uk
Free Admission – Free On-Site Parking
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 5.30pm
The Contemporary Glass Society (CGS) is delighted to announce that we will be holding an exhibition at The International Festival of Glass this year at The World of Glass, St Helens.
The theme is “A Cabinet of Curiosities”, and this is an open call to all CGS members!
Start thinking of what you could make to be a part of our Cabinet of Curiosities!
We invite you to embrace curiosity, experimentation, process-led exploration, and storytelling—whether entirely factual or imaginatively fictional—within your glass pieces. The work will be available for sale, and for the first time in our IFOG exhibitions, we will be able to display 3D objects as well as 2D works!
This exhibition is a sequel to our much-loved Postcard Exhibitions, previously held in Stourbridge. With the new location and format, we are thrilled to open this popular opportunity to everyone at any stage of their making and using any glass technique.
Please note: Unlike previous years, this will be a selected show due to limitations on the number of works we can display. But be assured that we are keen to show work from makers at all stages of their glassmaking career and in a wide range of techniques.
Criteria for Selection
• You must be a member of the Contemporary Glass Society.
• Your work should fit the theme of the exhibition- Be curious, experimental, and intriguing.
• The work must be completed, with high-quality final photos for promotion and the accompanying online exhibition.
• A wide range of approaches and techniques is encouraged and will form part of the selection criteria.
• Pieces should retail within one of the following price categories- £85, £150, £200, £300, £400, or £500.
• The work must be for sale. This is a fundraising event:
o 50% of the sale price goes to the artist (or you may kindly donate this to CGS)
o 20% + VAT goes to The World of Glass
o The remaining amount is a donation towards CGS events, including our 30th Anniversary celebrations next year.
• Size limits:
o Depth no greater than 10cm
o Height and width no larger than 20cm x 10cm (these can be used in either orientation)
• Limited editions are welcome—only one piece is needed for the show, with the option for additional commissions once purchased.
• The work must be delivered between specific dates in July/August to Sarah Brown at her studio. Exact details will be confirmed once your spot is secured.
• Application fee: £15
Exhibition and Sale
• We will hold a launch event at The Festival for the sale of the pieces (time TBC), a fun way to meet other artists and select your favourites.
• Pieces will be affordable, and unsold works will be made available online after the show, giving those who cannot attend a chance to purchase them.
• There will be a Best in Show prize and a People’s Prize, announced at the end of the exhibition.
Images and Documentation
We would love to receive:
• Videos/photos of you making the work.
• High-quality images on a clear background of the final pieces
Have fun with your pieces! Think outside the box (within the size limits) and make something exciting to display alongside a wide range of artists.
Key Dates
• Open Call Launched: April 2026
• Applications Close: 21st June
• Delivery of Work: July/ August 2026 (date to be confirmed)
• Launch Event: During IFOG
• Exhibition Dates: 27th August – 31st October
• Launch Event: During IFOG – time TBC
• Sold/ Unsold Artwork sent: Sold artwork will go to the purchaser in November. Unsold Artwork will need collection arranged at a date TBC.
Learn fun and easy ways to add detailed images and patterns to your glass work. Joseph Cavalieri is excited to return for his fourth class, focusing on fusing and slumping trays with bold, colorful images. Starting with cutting glass, you will learning silk screening, penning, painting, and airbrushing enamels onto glass. Joseph will bring a variety of exciting silk screens for you to use. No prior painting or drawing experience is needed; you will learn how to trace images to bring your piece to life. Plan to make four or more final works during this four day workshop, plus many fired samples of all the techniques, and learn from Joseph’s popular art residency lecture, He will share tips he learned during his fifteen visiting artist residencies. These techniques apply to stained glass projects as well as fused glass projects. Joseph will discuss and bring samples of how to easily use these techniques with stained glass, but the focus of the class is fusing, slumping, and having fun.
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Kiln-Formed Glass: The Sustainable Art of Repurposing with Julia Gonyou
10-11 September 2026 (Thursday-Friday)
9.30am-4.30pm 2 days
Location: CGUK Glass Studio – Rochester, Kent
Please join us for an environmentally conscious new workshop focused on exploring the possibilities of sustainable kiln-formed glass, using recycled glass bottles, and float glass.
Participants will learn how to break down these materials and artistically repurpose the glass – without the use of moulds – into unique compositions using pattern, shape and script. You will explore techniques using expressive mark-making, textural objects and cut-outs to create distinctive relief work.
Explore this more streamlined and Eco-friendly approach to glass-making while building practical skills and creative confidence to support your future work.
Projects
Students will have the opportunity to create 3-4 projects, including sun-catchers, and free-standing panels to take home/collect after final firing.
Skill Level
Beginner/Intermediate
Further Information
More about Julia can be found here: www.juliagonyou.com
All class materials and necessary tools/equipment are provided.
Refreshments are included, but please bring your own packed lunch.
Participants must be 18+ years of age.
Workshops are held in our well-equipped studio above our retail centre, accessed via 2 flights of stairs, there is no lift.
NB. A waiting list will be in operation once the class is FULL – please email info@creativeglassshop.co.uk if you would like to be added.