International Festival of Glass

2017 Festival - A Huge Success

Huge thanks to the thousands of people who joined us to celebrate Glass for Good over the bank holiday weekend. It was fantastic and you all contributed to a wonderful atmosphere. Three cheers to all the brilliant artists, demonstrators, volunteers and participants for their inspiration and enthusiasm. We can't wait for 2019!

Thank you to John Plant and the Express & Star for the photos

Latest

The Fading City - Exhibition

OPENS 2 MARCH 2020 A joint exhibition of new work by Jemma Gunning and Tracey Thorne. The Fading City is inspired by the textures and typography of buildings that surround us, and calls on us to immerse ourselves in a world that might otherwise slip by. Both artists have produced new works for the exhibition using different printmaking techniques to draw out the character and souls of the buildings.
The Sparkle Sessions

Love to craft and chat? We offer a fortnightly arts and crafts for wellbeing session in our Makers Studio. A great opportunity to craft in company; learn some new techniques, meet new people, be creative and socialise. Click for more details.
The Jewellery Quarter during World War II

Volunteer Mac Joseph has been carrying out research on our building's history during World War II. It's so interesting to see how Vittoria Street, and the wider Jewellery Quarter was affected by air raids. There is a focus on Joseph Smith, the last manufacturing occupants of Standard Works.
Discovering the Jewellery Quarter - Deakin & Francis

Our new exhibition is on display at The Hive! Freya Samuel has been delving into our local history, and discovering the story of 15-17 Regent Place, just up the road from New Standard Works. From a famous resident, to housing the oldest family-run jewellers in the UK; read this blog to find out all about the history of one of the JQ’s most important buildings.

International Festival of Glass - Daily Schedule

The daily schedule has now been published.
British Glass Biennale 2019 - selected artists

The Ruskin Mill Land Trust, in association with the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers, is delighted to announce the artists for the 2019 British Glass Biennale exhibition. Over two days an expert panel of judges chaired by Róisín de Buitléar and comprising of Dr Jane Cook, Monica Guggisberg, Angel Monzon, and Cathy Shankland, selected the very best of this year’s entries, all of which achieved a very high standard.
Festival Masterclasses

The masterclasses are back and now open for bookings. Join us in August to learn new skills and make new friends.
British Glass Biennale 2019 – LATEST NEWS

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE A NEW PRIZE FOR 2019. The Glass Arts Society have confirmed they will sponsor an ‘International Artists Award’ with a fantastic prize of $1,500.
British Glass Biennale Awards Announced

Thirteen Awards were presented to artists exhibiting in the 2017 British Glass Biennale, with three artists each picking up two awards. Joseph Harrington won Best in Show with his stunning piece 'St Helens ii'.
Support the Festival

The Festival would not be possible without our wonderful volunteers and we are always looking for people to join the team...

Plan your visit

The International Festival of Glass takes place at venues across the Stourbridge Glass Quarter. Entry to all Festival venues is free, however some activities and events will have a charge.
Hive Cafe and Bakery

The Hive Cafe and Bakery provides a warm welcome in the heart of Birmingham's famous Jewellery Quarter, with delicious pastries, cake, bread and meals. Come and visit us. Try our coffee! Please visit us at The Hive subsite. www.thehiveJQ.org
Why we exist
Our story

The seeds of Ruskin Mill Land Trust were sown in 1967 when Robin and Barbara Gordon transplanted their young sons Aonghus and Alisdair from the hothouse of the Ruskin Centre for Art Appreciation in Venice to the cold frame of a dilapidated former textile mill in Gloucestershire.
Merlin Theatre

Transforming the Merlin Theatre has enriched the cultural life of Sheffield and provided cultural venue for Freeman College and Brantwood Specialist School..
Freeman Biodynamic Garden at High Riggs

Located in Stannington bordering the Peak District the Freeman Biodynamic Garden provides fruit and vegetables for Freeman College, Brantwood Specialist School and the Fusion Café. Thanks to much hard work over the last three years High Riggs has been changed from a disused tree nursery to a new highly productive market garden.
British Glass Biennale 2019 - selected artists

The Ruskin Mill Land Trust, in association with the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers, is delighted to announce the artists for the 2019 British Glass Biennale exhibition. Over two days an expert panel of judges chaired by Róisín de Buitléar and comprising of Dr Jane Cook, Monica Guggisberg, Angel Monzon, and Cathy Shankland, selected the very best of this year’s entries, all of which achieved a very high standard.
Vale Head Farm

Vale Head Farm was an equestrian centre when we purchased it, and over the years hard work has seen it bloom into a beautiful biodynamic farm.
Aonghus Gordon: Executive Chair: MEd BA PGCE

Aonghus Gordon spent his formative years in Venice. He attended Rudolf Steiner schools and completed a BA in Ceramics and Art History followed by teacher training, gaining a Post Graduate Certificate in Education at Breton Hall, Leeds in 1981. Aonghus completed his MEd from Rudolf Steiner University College in Oslo.
2015 British Glass Biennale

2015 British Glass Biennale