About the festival

The Next Festival - 27 - 30 August 2021

Since its inception in 2004 the Festival’s aim has been to celebrate and showcase the skill and innovation of the glass industry and makers, both historic and contemporary, local and international. We are currently planning the eighth International Festival of Glass - please do check in for updates, sign up for our newsletter or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

The 2021 festival will explore glassmaking in Korea, China and Japan.

Please do make contact if you are from these countries or have links or interesting projects - [email protected]

We look forward to meeting you in Stourbridge in August 2021 to celebrate one of the most fascinating and diverse art forms around.

Banner image: Daam_Dah 1 by Keeryong Choi featured in the 2019 British Glass Biennale

Volunteer

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

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. Read more

Latest

The Hive reopens!

The Hive Café and Bakery reopens on Tuesday 8th September, having won Gold in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2020. Between 12 – 19th September there will be an exciting programme of live talks, film screenings, crafting and an exhibition for Birmingham Heritage Week.

News

Find out what we've been shouting about to the media or blogging about!

From Intern, to Volunteer, to Team Member: Freya’s Hive Experience

After 13 months, Freya looks back at her experience at the Hive from start to finish: working as one of our team of Heritage Programme Assistants, it has been an unforgettable experience.

The Hive wins GOLD

We are delighted to announce that the Hive Café and Bakery has won Gold at the national 2020 VisitEngland Awards. During an online ceremony, the Hive claimed the top prize in the Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism category, recognising tourism businesses committed to being sustainable, responsible and ethical in how they operate and interact with customers, the wider community and the environment.

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.

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 MEd, FRSA, Executive Chair

Aonghus has a distinguished track record of development and leadership of several ground-breaking charities that provide high quality environments and opportunities for people with disabilities. He is passionate about the need for people to break out of dependency and marginalisation, believing that everyone has the potential to shape their own future.