The festival’s aim is always to showcase the skill and innovation of the glass industry and makers, historic and contemporary, local and international.
Since 2004, this unique festival has been drawing in visitors from all over the world and, with an exciting programme of events, demonstrations, masterclasses and exhibitions lined up, this year will be no exception. The 2022 programme incorporates an East Asian theme, sitting alongside the UK’s best established and emerging glass talent and inspiring academics.
Wolverhampton Art Gallery will host Collaborations, an exhibition that is set to push the boundaries of glassmaking and examine what glass artists can do when paired up for a collaborative experience.
Open from this Saturday (20 August) to Sunday 23 October, 20 artists will showcase their works who have a combination of national and international profiles and reputations and have been paired across glassmaking disciplines with each collaborative piece being made specially for this exhibition at Wolverhampton Art Gallery.
The City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for City Economy, Councillor Stephen Simkins, said: “It is fantastic the Wolverhampton Art Gallery has been chosen once again to be a partnering venue for such a major festival.
“Like the British Art Show 9, this exhibition looks to push the boundaries and show what glass making can achieve.”
2022 will see the festival’s largest offering of exhibitions, with 10 diverse shows currently on the programme. As always, the much anticipated British Glass Biennale will be the flagship exhibition – showcasing the best of the UK glass art scene from across the whole spectrum of techniques.
Anonymously juried, the Biennale gives emerging artists an equal opportunity to be selected alongside the top names in British glass, making it a highlight of the glass calendar.
This year the Biennale will be joined by the inaugural International Bead Biennale, giving miniature works of art a place to shine. The Contemporary Glass Society will celebrate with exhibitions at both the newly opened Stourbridge Glass Museum and Ruskin Glass Centre, as well as Wolverhampton Art Gallery.
The exhibition at Wolverhampton Art Gallery is free to attend and can be seen Monday to Saturday from 10.30am until 4.30pm and Sundays from 11am until 3pm. For more information on the International Glass Festival, exhibition, and events, please visit International Glass Festival.
