International Festival of Glass

About the Biennale

2019 BRITISH GLASS BIENNALE WINNERS:

Winner: Glass Biennale Award: Jeff Zimmer, 'The Fragility of Memory and Material (Personal), 2018

Winner: Glass Sellers' Art & Craft Award: Ian Chadwick, 'Medicine for Garmonbozia (Glass Charger Index 1902)', 2019

Runner Up: Glass Sellers' Art & Craft Award: Emma Goring, 'Divisions and Growth', 2018

Runner Up: Glass Sellers' Art & Craft Award: Bruno Romanelli, 'Misam', 2018

Winner: Glass Sellers' Art & Craft Student Award: Calum Dawes, 'Witness 1-7', 2018

Winner: Glass Arts Society International Artist Award: Jonathan Michie, 'Ambition', 2018

Winner: People's Prize: Kate Pasvol, Book of Welsh Walks- The Brecon Beacons

Winner: Young Collector's Award: Marzena Ostromecka, PLAY_ZONE

Winner: Glass Society Award: Jon Lewis, Apertura Aurora

Runner Up: Glass Society Award: Monette Larson, Dynamic Breath

The British Glass Biennale is the foremost juried exhibition of excellence in contemporary glass by British artists, designers and craftspeople in the UK. With at least 80 major new glass works selected every two years, the British Glass Biennale is the flagship exhibition within the International Festival of Glass and attracts collectors, galleries and museums from around the world.

The British Glass Biennale is open to artists, designers, craftspeople and students working in all areas of contemporary glass practice or using glass as a key design element. The emphasis is on new work demonstrating the highest level of excellence in design, creative imagination and technical skill.

Seventy-four artists were selected out of 200 applicants for the 2019 British Glass Biennale. They presented the most interesting, diverse and outstanding glass art made in the UK in the last two years. The work formed a cutting-edge showcase of contemporary British based glass talent with over £12,000 worth of awards presented.

The exhibition displayed work by established artists and emerging new talent, including work by 12 students and 21 new artists in the main section. The selected artists were hailed to be brave and innovative, using a wide range of styles and techniques both traditional and experimental.

Venue: Ruskin Glass Centre, Wollaston Road, Amblecote, Stourbridge DY8 4HF

list of artists 2019

We are grateful to all our sponsors and supporters

Ruskin Mill Land Trust

Ruskin Mill Trust

Arts Council England

Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers

Glass Arts Society (GAS)

Contemporary Glass Society

The Glass Society

Warm Glass

Mark Holford

Image: Kate Pasvol, winner of the People's Prize with Simon Gue, Director of Warm Glass UK

2015 British Glass Biennale

2015 British Glass Biennale Read more

Latest

The Art of Metal Colour Light Therapy

Join Ruskin Mill Trust's Liri Filippini for a talk and painting workshop as part of our Ruskin 200 events programme - exploring colour therapy.
Family Craft Workshops & Activities - October half term

On Tues 29 & Thurs 31 October join us at our special family craft artist-facilitated workshops. We also have lots of free unfacilitated activities on offer everyday; you can delve into the craft resource box in our Heritage Room to see what you can make, do 'spooky' colouring and explore our exhibitions with the help of our free family trails and quizzes.
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.
Voices From The Cones

A unique evening of songs and stories which have been inspired by the Voices From the Cones oral history recordings

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