For the non-artistic feeling the urge to create, there will be workshops and taster sessions. Have a go at glassblowing, enamel work and stone portrait carving, no experience necessary. Or visitors can create vicariously by watching one of several artists as they demonstrate their skills in their studios, with demos including glassblowing, lampworking (beads), kiln fusing and pate de verre (crushed, moulded glass).
There’s also a chance to experience the history of glassmaking with guided heritage walks along the canals, visits to churches frequented by glassmaking dynasties, pilgrimages to graves of famous glass makers and a hands-on opportunity to create new artwork using glass excavated from an archeological dig at a former glassworks.
For families there will be kid-size archeological digs, puppet workshops, storytelling, family fun days and the chance to try sandblasting, glass painting and take photos using 19th century techniques. An emergency poet will be on hand to create sonnets and more for people in need of a literary pick-me-up.
Elisabeth Johnson, festival coordinator said:
“We are thrilled about the programme for the 2015 International Festival of Glass which we hope will inspire and amaze artists, glass enthusiasts and the public alike. Many of the world’s top glass artists are taking part – in exhibitions, leading masterclasses, demonstrating their skills – and many more up and coming artists’ work will be showcased too.
“The festival is unique in its breadth and accessibility for all. We have lots of family activities and street entertainment as well as demonstrations, have-a-go sessions, lectures and talks from renowned glass experts.”
The festival hosts the British Glass Biennale which runs from May 28 – June 28 and features work from 77 artists who have been selected for this prestigious award. Artists are drawn from across the globe, including Costa Rica, South Korea, Israel, Sweden, Germany and Japan as well as glass artists living and working in the historic Stourbridge Glass Quarter.
Their pieces embrace a vast range of glassmaking techniques including blown, kiln formed, slumped and engraved glass with pure clean crystal through to opaque vessels and pieces featuring surface painting and glass inclusions. Submissions range from the miniature to large scale installations.
For more information about the workshops and all the events, activities and exhibitions taking place throughout the festival visit www.ifg.org.uk
International Festival of Glass
The International Festival of Glass' diverse programme will inspire and amaze artists, glass enthusiasts and the public alike. The Festival is unique in its breadth and accessibility for all levels of interest and expertise. Watch, listen or make - the Festival promises a fun-filled, educational visit to the Stourbridge Glass Quarter.
A great time for our public audience to visit is during the Public Festival, when visitors can enjoy have-a-go sessions, exhibitions, evening events, street entertainment, family activities, demonstrations, heritage walks, retail fairs and much more. To get the most out of your trip, visit the Public Festival section to see details of all events taking place during these days.
The Festival's comprehensive Artist Programme brings together glass artists and enthusiasts from all over the world, offering them the chance to network and learn from their peers. The Masterclass programme, taking place just before the Public Festival, attracts world renowned glass makers who travel to the area to pass on a wealth of knowledge and experience in their specialist fields. During the Public Festival, those with a keener interest in glass can attend lectures, demonstrations, workshops, symposia and trade fairs, whilst being inspired by the wealth of world class glass on display at numerous exhibitions, including the prestigious British Glass Biennale. To get the most out of your trip, visit the Artist Programme section to see details of all events taking place.
The Plan Your Visit section offers useful tips for getting to Stourbridge and around the Festival sites, purchasing tickets and booking accomodation.
Professional Artist Programme
There are some activities that will be of particular interest to professional artists and students - a chance to network with your peers, pick up tools and materials at bargain prices, seek advice from experts, listen to talks by some great artists and practitioners and to learn about international glass projects.
Plowden & Thompson Clearance Sale
An amazing clearance sale of all Plowden & Thompson coloured rods and powders with discounts of up to 90%, plus 25% off selected stock from the Reichenbach range of coloured sticks, rod, foils and grain.
Date and Time: 28 & 29 May, 10am-5pm; 30 May, 9.30am-4.30pm (closed 31 May)
Venue: Dial Glassworks, Factory Shop
CGS Festivity
CGS Board invites its members to come and celebrate eighteen years of the Society. We want to say thank you for helping us develop into the vibrant organisation we are today. This is a members’ event but we also welcome anyone wanting to join CGS on the night.
Drinks & light refreshments available.
Date and Time: 29 May, 6-8pm
Venue: Ruskin Glass Centre
Price: Free (entry to Ruskin Glass Centre after 5pm is free of charge)
CGS Table top sale
Do you have a box of useful items you cannot bear to throw away. Bring your unwanted materials & equipment along, they might be just what someone else is looking for and at the same time have a rummage yourself. If you would like to participate please contact admin@cgs.org.uk
Everyone welcome but a must for CGS members
Date and Time: 30 May, 10-11am
Venue: Ruskin Glass Centre
Price: Free with Festival Pass
Meet the Scottish Glass Society
The Scottish glass society, formed in 1979, was established to promote the development of the art and craftsmanship of glass making in its many variations in Scotland. Its aim is to advance the public appreciation of glass making as an art form.
Members of the Scottish Glass Society will be on hand with information about their current projects, examples of members’ work and catalogues from recent exhibitions. www.scottishglasssociety.com. So please come along and chat to us.
Date and Time: 30 May, 1.30-2.30pm
Venue: Ruskin Glass Centre
Price: Free with Festival Pass
Derix Artist surgery
Open for artists, architects, restoration specialists, private and corporate clients, Barbara Derix and Elke Westen will offer discussions and advice on your own public art glass projects. Barbara and Elke are happy to talk with artists at any stage of their career - whether students, early career or established artists.
Since 1866, Derix Glass Studios (Germany) have been working with art in glass. Encompassing traditional and contemporary glass; interior and exterior; ecclesiastic and public buildings; restoration, construction and project management, it is Derix aim to take Art in Glass to the world of mainstream fine art.
They offer their expertise and know how, acquired over many years in working with glass, to independent artists working with architectural spaces and light aspects. Their aim is always to realise and embrace the artist's idea/design, providing and using the best possible quality and solutions. They are involved in pushing the boundaries further and further. Projects are global and Derix have worked with (amongst many others) Cappy Thompson, Narcissus Quagliata, Alex Beleschenko, Ann Troutner and Paul Marioni, George Papadopoulos and Martic Donlin.
Date & Time: Saturday 30 May, individual sessions of 15 minutes with either Barbara Derix or Elke Western between 3-5pm
Venue: Ruskin Glass Centre
Price: Free with Festival Pass. Please book your free session online or (during the Festival) at the Festival Office. Places limited.
Masterclasses
The International Festival of Glass programme of glass making masterclasses is hosted by teachers and glass making professionals from around the world. This year our masterclass leaders are from Seattle, Germany, Philadelphia, Netherlands and UK.
The masterclasses take place from Monday 25 to Wednesday 27 May at both Ruskin Glass Centre and the University of Wolverhampton.
Included in the 2015 programme:
Dante Marioni and Janusz Pozniak: Off-hand Venetian glassmaking, American style
Cappy Thompson: Contemporary glass painting using grisalle or grey tonal painting technique, THIS EVENT IS FULL!
Neil Wilkin assisted by James Devereux: Traditional and contemporary hot glass making - towards a flawless technique
Michael Brennand-Wood and Keith Cummings: A laboratory investigating the cross transfer of textile and glass design
Penny Rakov: Innovative murrini making
Christian Schmidt: Freehand wheel engraving, THIS EVENT IS FULL!
Lisa Pettibone: Adventures in Slumping: Capturing warm glass movement – moulds, ideas and inspiration
JanHein van Stiphout: 'eco' nomical beadmaking
2015 masterclass descriptions
For masterclass enquiries contact Jackie on masterclasses@ifg.org.uk.
More information on the festival:
http://www.ifg.org.uk
