Festival news

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'.Read more

2017 Festival - A Huge Success

The 2017 Festival was considered a huge success, with fantastic demonstrations, fascinating talks, lively entertainment, superb exhibitions and brilliant blue skies!Read more

Latest

The Saturday Sessions - Jan 2019

A long day of themed activity, experiences, fine food and sociable times at The Hive. The Building is full of creativity and heritage; things to make, learn, see and do for all the family - a hive of activity. A place for everyone to enjoy. The Saturday Sessions run on the second Saturday of each month, starting 2019.

Ridgeway Music embraces the Merlin stage again this year with their Christmas Performance

2017 British Glass Biennale

The 2017 exhibition featured work by 63 contemporary artists, including British makers living and working abroad for the first time. Since its inception in 2004 the Biennale has awarded £100,000 worth of prizes to artists.

British Glass Biennale 2019 – Call to Artists

Calling all artists working in glass. The online submission for the UK's leading contemporary glass exhibition is now open. Deadline is midnight 24 February 2019

Plan your visit

The International Festival of Glass takes place at venues across the Stourbridge Glass Quarter. Entry to most Festival venues is free, however some activities may incur a small charge. A Festival Pass is required for entry to Ruskin Glass Centre over the four days. A Festival Pass allows entry to lectures, demonstrations, the British Glass Biennale and other exhibitions on site, and some performances.

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!

Why we exist

British Glass Biennale 2019 – Call to Artists

Calling all artists working in glass. The online submission for the UK's leading contemporary glass exhibition is now open. Deadline is midnight 24 February 2019

British Glass Biennale 2017

The flagship British Glass Biennale 2017 exhibition featuring work by 63 artists. Winner of Best on Show - Joseph Harrington with St Helens ii.

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.

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.