The National Glass Collectors Fair
Glass News
This section of the National Glass Collectors Fair website will keep you up to date about glass-related news items. This includes information about forthcoming museum exhibitions, lectures and seminars, as well as important sales at major auction houses.
2010 British Glass Biennale & International Festival of Glass
In-Fair Exhibition: All That Jazz
New Glass Archive Article: The Rise of 20th Century British Glass
20th Century British Glass by Charles R. Hajdamach
Broadfield House Glass Museum Saved!
Glass Archive Article: Pass The Sugar Basin
Michael Harris & The Story Of Mdina
News Updates
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2010 British Glass Biennale
27 August – 11 September 2010
Open Daily 10am – 5pm
Free Entry: An entry fee to the venue will apply during the International Festival of Glass, which runs from 27 – 30 August.
The British Glass Biennale is the foremost exhibition of excellence in contemporary glass by artists, designers and craftspeople currently working in Britain. Taking place every two years it is a highlight of the International Festival of Glass and with it’s growing international status, attracts top collectors and enthusiasts from around the world.
The 2010 exhibition will showcase at least 80 major new glass works, primarily from the juried open submissions but also a section of invited established artists, making this a significant statement of national glass talent and presenting a more complete
representation of British Glass at this time.
The British Glass Biennale is delighted to be working once again in association with the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers awarding £7,500 in prize money. An expert panel will be judging the submissions; comprising: Annabelle Campbell – Exhibitions & Collections Manager, Crafts Council; Reino Liefkes – Senior Curator Ceramics & Glass Collection, V&A Museum; Sylva Petrova – Director, Institute for International Research in Glass, University of Sunderland; Alan J. Poole – Dan Klein Associates; Colin Reid – Glass Artist.
Email: info@biennale.org.uk
Websites: www.biennale.org.uk & www.ifg.org.uk
International Festival of Glass
23 August to 11 September 2010
The International Festival of Glass (IFG), billed as “the greatest glass gathering in the UK”, will return to Stourbridge this summer between 23rd August and 11th September 2010: with activities taking place throughout the town’s historic Glass Quarter.
The IFG is an umbrella term to describe a comprehensive programme of events including the prestigious British Glass Biennale (27 August to 11 September), a series of glass making Masterclasses (23 to 26 August) and a four day Glass Festival (27 to 30 August). Open to the Public, the latter includes a ‘fun and affordable’ glass auction, demonstrations, exhibitions, ‘have a go’ sessions and of course, plenty of retail opportunities.
Commenting on the event, Festival Co-Director Natasha George says “The IFG is uniquely placed to celebrate both Stourbridge’s glassmaking heritage as well as the dynamic emergence of a whole new era of contemporary glassmaking. We hope that this International glass gathering will intrigue, innovate and inspire glassmakers and the public alike”.
The International Festival of Glass is now a firmly established event for all glass enthusiasts. The festival celebrates the unique glass making heritage of the area as well as the dynamic emergence of a whole new era of contemporary glass making drawing large national and international audiences into Stourbridge and the Black Country.
Featuring world class exhibitions, including the prestigious British Glass Biennale, demonstrations, open studios and events, the festival aims to intrigue, innovate and inspire glass makers and the public alike.
Charges:
Entry to most festival venues is free. Ruskin Glass Centre entrance fee: £9.50 four day pass, £5 adult day pass, £1 child day pass (27 – 30 August only). Some venues will charge for involvement in some activities when on site.
Tel: Ruth Hutchins - 01384 828 200
Email: rhutchins@blueyonder.co.uk
Website: www.ifg.org.uk
In-Fair Exhibition: All That Jazz
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| Whitefriars 'Comet' vase (Pattern No. 8989 c. 1934). Designed by William Wilson. Image courtesy of Andy McConnell |
Our 9 May 2010 National Glass Fair featured another exciting exhibition, this time featuring iconic glass designs from the Jazz Age.
The exhibition 'All That Jazz' showcased stunning pieces of glass from the private collection of regular exhibitor Peter Elliot, including examples of glass created by Whitefriars in-house designers Barnaby Powell and William Wilson.
Peter put together a superb display of stunning designs from the Jazz Age: providing visitors with a rare opportunity to view the skill of both the glass design and cutting at close quarters.
Click Here to read more about the exhibition and view some of the glass that was on display.
If 'All That Jazz' whets your appetite for Art Deco design, then you won't be disappointed in the range of stylish glass from the 1920s and 1930s that will be offered for sale at the next National Glass Fair.
The 20th Century Glass section of our Preview Gallery currently features examples of collectable art glass that was available to buy on Sunday 9 May 2010. In the weeks leading up to our next fair we will update the gallery and add images of the glass that will be available to buy on Sunday 14 november 2010.
The Rise of 20th Century British Glass
New Glass Archive Article by Nigel Benson.
The latest addition to our Glass Archive is an interesting article that details the rise in popularity of 20th century British glass amongst glass collectors.
The article also looks at some of the most influential glass companies and designers from this period: including Monart, Gray-Stan, James Powell, Stuart & Sons, Thomas Webb, Webb Corbett and Stevens & Williams, Keith Murray and Clyne Farquharson.
Click Here to read the article.
20th Century British Glass by Charles R. Hajdamach
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| 20th Century British Glass by Charles R. Hajdamach |
In addition to the vast array of glass available at ourNovember 2009 glass fair, Charles Hajdamach was in attendance to promote the launch of what promises to be the most comprehensive guide to 20th century British glass.
The
book covers everything from Art Nouveau and Art Deco
masterpieces through to engraved glass, cameo glass, paperweights and even the now much ignored Pyrex ovenware.
Chapters focus on the effects of both World Wars and there are special features looking at significant designers such as Keith Murray.
Major exhibitions, including The Festival of Britain (1951), are
fully discussed and biographical sections look at post-war designers,
including Geoffrey Baxter, Ronald Stennett-Willson and Frank
Thrower.
Armed with this book the beginner, the collector, the
museum curator, the designer and the social historian will have an
indispensable and complete guide to a fascinating period of British
glass making. Budding new collectors of 20th century glass will also find the book extremely helpful, as it will help them to easily spot important pieces of glass that might be found at antique fairs and in
charity shops.
20th Century British Glass (ISBN: 1851495878 ) is illustrated with over 900 superb photographs, including previously unpublished catalogues and images from important public and private collections.
Charles' book is available for sale at Broadfield House Glass Museum, as well as various high street and online shops: RRP £49.50
You can also read more about Charles Hajdamach and his previous publications on his Website: www.hajdamach.com
Broadfield House Saved!
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| Broadfield House Glass Museum. Image courtesy of The Friends of Broadfield House Glass Museum |
After months of persistent campaigning, Dudley Council has been forced to scrap plans to close Broadfield House Glass Museum and relocate its collections and archives.
The campaign to save the museum was supported by people in more than 50 countries who signed an online petition (more than 2,400 people signed the petition calling for the museum to be kept open).
Campaigners are now focusing on calls for a National Glass Museum to be set up in the Stourbridge area.
Please follow the below Links to read the full story behind the Council's decision.
www.birminghammail.net/campaigners-win-broadfield-fight
www.birminghammail.net/campaign-hails-museum-victory
www.bbc.co.uk/broadfield_house_feature.shtml
Pass The Sugar Basin!
New Glass Archive Article by James S. Measell.
The latest addition to our Glass Archive is an interesting article about collecting 'milk glass' sugars and creamers.
The author, James S. Measell, is a historian at the Fenton Art Glass Company in Williamstown, West Virginia, USA. He and his wife Brenda have enjoyed several recent visits to England and are looking forward to attending the National Glass Collectors Fair in May 2010.
Click Here to read the article.
Michael Harris & The Story Of Mdina
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| Mdina Fish Vase by Michael Harris. |
New Glass Archive Article by Ron Wheeler.
If you are interested in learning more about Michael Harris and Mdina Glass, you will find this article by Ron Wheeler to be extremely informative. The article documents how Michael Harris first became interested in Studio Glass at the Royal College of Art, and how his ambitions motivated him to establish a glass works in Malta (Mdina Glass).
The article was written by Ron Wheeler, who was one of the first two freelance reps working with Michael Harris 25 years ago. Ron Wheeler (Artius Glass) is also a regular exhibitor at the National Glass Collectors Fair.
Click Here to read the article.
