The British Glass Biennale is the UK's leading exhibition of excellence in contemporary glass by British artists, designers and craftspeople. It is the flagship show within the International Festival of Glass. With an expert jury and an open call to artists, the British Glass Biennale is one of the most significant statements of national glass talent. The emphasis is on new work demonstrating the highest level of excellence in design, creative imagination and technical skill. All work is available for purchase and attracts collectors, galleries and museums from around the world.

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. This year we are proud to have presented prizes in collaboration with the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers, London Glassblowing, The Glass Association, craft&design magazine, Warm Glass and The National Glass Centre; with a special prize for young collectors sponsored by Mark Holford.  

We are delighted to announce the winners of the 2017 Awards

The winner of the £5000 British Glass Biennale Award 2017 is Joseph Harrington for St Helens ii  

The Winner of the Glass Sellers Arts and Craft Awards is Heike Brachlow with Analemma

The Runner Up of the Glass Sellers Arts and Craft Awards is Paul Stopler for Sia

The Winner of the Arts Glass Sellers Student Award is Jade Tapson for Scale

The Runner Up of the Glass Sellers Student Award is Andrew Collins for Urban Chandelier

The Winner of the London Glassblowing Emerging Artist Award is Monette Larsen for Static Movement

The Winner of the Glass Association Award is Colin Reid for Sunflowers R1892

The Runner Up of the Glass Association Award is Nancy Sutcliffe for Fabulous Beasts

The Winner of the Young Collectors' Award is Jonathan Michie for Exit, Pursued by a Bear

The Winners of the craft&design Award are Cathryn Shilling and Anthony Scala for The Fragile Nature of Earthly Pleasures

The Runner Up of the craft&design Award is Jade Tapson for Scale

The Winner of the National Glass Centre's Emerging Artist's Residency Prize is Monette Larsen for Static Movement

The Winner of the People's Prize is Colin Reid for Sunflowers R1892

Congratulations to all our winners. 

The Young Collector's award's Haughty Hawk was awarded to Dante from Buckinghamshire.

Thank you for your support for the British Glass Biennale 2017

The Jury members for the British Glass Biennale 2017 were:

Barbara Beadman:        Member of the Board, British Glass; Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers

Scott Benefield:            Artist, educator and writer; Member of the Advisory Committee, Glass Art Society (US)

Aonghus Gordon:          Founder and Chair, Board of Trustees, Ruskin Mill Land Trust

Rosy Greenlees:            Director, Crafts Council

Maja Heuer:                  Museum Director, The Glass Factory, Boda, Sweden

2017 selected artists:

* indicates student entry

Find out about our past exhibitions