The International Festival of Glass is the only UK-based festival celebrating the spectacle, drama and excitement of glassmaking, attracting visitors from around the world. Taking place every two years in the Stourbridge Glass Quarter, it features world class exhibitions, glass ‘masterclasses’ in a range of techniques, and a four day Glass Festival.
The British Glass Biennale is the UK’s major exhibition of contemporary glass in association with the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers and the International Festival of Glass. This year the event will be celebrating 500 years of international studio glass and 400 years of glassmaking in Stourbridge, UK.
The British Glass Biennale is the major selling exhibition of British contemporary glass that takes place once every two years. It is a highlight of the International Festival of Glass, which includes the British Glass Biennale, Glass Masterclasses and a Public Festival, and runs from 20 August – 15 September 2012.
Glass Masterclasses run from 20-24 August, Public Festival events take place from 24-27 August and the British Glass Biennale starts on 24 August and continues until 15 September.
The British Glass Biennale was set up to be a part of the inaugural International Festival of Glass in 2004. Prior to this show, there had been no major review of the British glass scene since 1993 Crafts Council touring exhibition ‘The Glass Show’. Each British Glass Biennale is a landmark juried exhibition of contemporary glass by artists working and living in the UK and working in glass.
Artists submit work for selection that has to have been made in the last two years and be available to purchase. Makers have to be living and working the UK for the last two years – i.e. showing a commitment to being based in Britain. Each jury consists of five panel members selected from a range of backgrounds. Each British Glass Biennale features a completely new jury. The juries view all the images anonymously, judging each piece on its own merit. The objective is to give each contributing artist an equal opportunity to have work selected and create as level a playing field for all artists as possible.
The Biennale does not aim to establish an historical survey but to take the pulse of the current British glass scene; to observe, reflect and catalogue trends and influences emerging each year. It also aims to put makers in the UK on an international platform, and celebrate what is being achieved in this country with glass.
For more information about the festival visit www.ifg.org.uk.