1st February – 1st June 2025
Chris Day: Storyteller in Glass
Chris Day, a self-employed plumber from Staffordshire, embarked on his glass journey at the University of Wolverhampton in 2017. Since then, he has risen to international acclaim for blending compelling narrative with innovative craftsmanship.
Day’s work explores the interplay of a vibrant range of colours, natural forms, and the texture of mixed materials. He often incorporates recycled plumbing materials, like copper metal cages, into which he breathes life by manipulating glass to create tension and emotional depth.
As one of few black technical glassblowers, Day addresses social issues such as civil rights, Black History, and the Black Lives Matter movement, sparking dialogue and celebrating his heritage. Storyteller in Glass showcases his expertise and visionary approach, establishing him as a leading figure in contemporary glass art.
27th July 2024 – 27th July 2025
Greener Glass
Explore the beauty and innovation of environmentally sustainable glass art in this unique exhibition, co-curated by local and regional UK artists in collaboration with University of Birmingham students. Greener Glass delves into the future of glassmaking, emphasising eco-friendly practices and the artistic exploration of environmental themes. The exhibition showcases a diverse array of glass artworks that highlight the importance of environmental consciousness.
By exploring the boundaries of sustainable art, contemporary glass artists reveal how their creative processes and finished works can reflect a deep commitment to preserving our planet. Featuring eleven talented artists, including artists-in-residence at Stourbridge Glass Museum, Greener Glass includes a variety of techniques such as kiln work, glass blowing, flame working, mosaic, and cast glass.
The exhibition demonstrates the transformative power of recycled materials, turning waste into captivating art. Additionally, the works on display by our resident artists are created using 100% renewable energy at Stourbridge Glass Museum, exemplifying the potential of sustainable artistic practice.
Featured artists include: Jan O’Highway, Elena Fleury-Rojo, Ivet Bibet, Allister Malcolm, Terri Malcolm, Madeleine Hughes, Hannah Gibson, Kate Lipson, Gill Hobson, Scarlett Leonard.
13th July 2024 – 16th November 2024
New Horizons
The New Horizons exhibition will showcase both traditional methods of glass making along with modern techniques, all producing contemporary work that challenges and explores the boundaries of glass. All the work on show will either be made especially for the exhibition or is work which has been made since 2022 but has not been previously exhibited. Consequently, New Horizons provides a unique opportunity to experience work never seen before in public.
A diverse range of glass making processes from hot glass, casting, kiln formed, pâte de verre, lampworking, neon, and stained glass will be represented by the following artists:
Anthony Amoako Attam, Emma Baker, Philip Baldwin and Monica Guggisberg, Heike Brachlow, Sarah Brown, Karen Browning, Penny Carter, James Devereux, Catherine Dunstan, Fiaz Elson, Dominic Fonde, Richard Jackson, Verity Pulford, Susan Purser Hope, Laura Quinn, Tim Rawlinson, Opal Seabrook, Ruth Shelley, Angela Thwaites, and Brian Waugh.
27th January 2024 – 23rd June 2024
The Material of Time: Contemporary Pâte de Verre
A unique exhibition of internationally acclaimed Pâte de Verre glass artists from several countries and continents. The exhibition is based on the comprehensive book “Pâte de Verre: The Material of Time” (2022) by Dr Max Stewart and Tone Ørvik. Including the work of Emma Varga (Australia), Alicia Lomné (US), Keith Cummings (UK) and other pioneers of contemporary Pâte de Verre.
For this exhibition Stourbridge Glass Museum is cooperating with the Contemporary Pâte de Verre Association. CPdVA works to support new investigations into Pâte de Verre and what this glass technique can do in sculpture and new narratives for our rapidly changing world. CPdVA was started by Stewart and Ørvik with US-based glass artists Evelyn Gottschall Baker and Tali Grinshpan, and offers conferences, workshops, and exhibitions worldwide.
8th April – 4th November 2023
Carnival Glass Society 40th Anniversary Exhibition
Carnival glass is pressed glass, usually patterned and often hand finished, then iridised to give a spectacular ‘oil on water’ effect as the surface reflects back a myriad of tones and hues.
In this exhibition you will see more than 300 pieces of carnival glass including rarities never exhibited before. Covering Arts & Crafts, Art Nouveau, Orientalism, Art Deco and contemporary design movements there’s something for everyone – even a ‘Carnival Kids Display’ with shimmering iridescent animals and a range of activities to enjoy.
It’s supported by fascinating Story Boards, Interesting Facts Cards and a full Catalogue as we look at shapes, colours, patterns, makers and the journey of the Stourbridge Pioneers who spread the legacy of this glassmaking worldwide.
Georgia Redpath: Nature | Architecture
Contemporary Glass Society at 25: Past, Present, the Future
The last 25 years have seen dramatic changes and advances – political, technological, environmental, and social. This exhibition tells the story of both CGS and the world which it reflects with glass artwork selected from the past 25 years by 25 of the United Kingdom’s greatest glass artists. The cornucopia of glass delights reflects the dynamism and sheer talent of contemporary glass in this country.
27th January 2024 – 23rd june 2024
Vanessa Cutler: Journeys and Horizons
‘Each work requires a journey, whether at the beginning or through to the end process of making. Developed in a year of turbulence, the work explores new horizons, and new approaches in techniques’.
For the past 20 years exploring industrial technology in her glass making, Vanessa Cutler’s odd of new work employs both digital technology and traditional casting processes. She sources her inspiration from her local environment, the sky, the sea and the horizon.
