From humble beginnings 25 years ago, the Contemporary Glass Society (CGS) has grown over the years into a thriving and proactive society supporting a membership of over 1,100. 2022 is also the UN designated International Year of Glass and it has seen the opening of the Stourbridge Glass Museum, which will house one of the finest collections of both traditional and modern glass within Europe. So, 2022 provides an opportunity to promote to the world the glorious material that we all love.
To highlight this important anniversary and as part of its programme of events throughout the year, the Contemporary Glass Society have collaborated with the Stourbridge Glass Museum to commission a piece of contemporary glass. This is to welcome and draw visitors into this world class collection of historic and contemporary glass. This commissioned piece of work will be part of the Museum’s permanent collection and will be installed and officially unveiled on August 26, 2022 during the International Festival of Glass.
The aim of the work is not only to celebrate 25 years of the Contemporary Glass Society but also to stop visitors in their tracks with a work that dazzles and is thought provoking. It will be displayed on the first floor balcony, drawing people’s eyes upwards, showing the new Museum as a beacon to light the way for visitors to explore the amazing glasswork on show at the Museum.
There were many interesting proposals and three were selected for further scrutiny and interview. The artists short-listed were Chris Day, Sacha Delabre and Anthony McCabe. It was a very hard decision between these three artists, all of whose proposals would have complemented the space. However, the judges were captivated by the storytelling and inclusive history of the UK and in particular glassmaking in Stourbridge that featured in one presentation.
The winner was Chris Day with his piece entitled, “After the Darkness, the Light”. Chris’ completed work of art will be unveiled at the Stourbridge Glass Museum August 26 and will be officially launched by Will Farmer. Will, well known to the public from BBC’s “Antiques Roadshow”, is a Twentieth Century Design and Glass Specialist and is also a Director of Fieldings Auctioneers in Stourbridge. He is also a Trustee of the British Glass Foundation. “After the Darkness, the Light” will then be on permanent display at the Museum.