International Glass Festival
2008-08-22

                                                                                        International Glass Festival

International Festival of Glass 2008,which Attracting artists and enthusiasts from around the world, the largest glass festival in the UK takes place in Sturbridge this summer.Last be seen in Sturbridge in 2006, the International Festival of Glass returns this August with a full line-up of master classes, workshops and entertainment for the whole family.Artists from Israel, Australia, America, Egypt, India and Germany converge in the glass quarter from 18th - 21st August, hosting a range of activities for established and beginner glass makers. The actual festival begins on 22nd August. Running for four days, it includes a wide range of events, attractions, have-a-go sessions and exhibitions.Some of the highlights include: 'Tempe Dade', based on Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' which uses shadow puppets and instruments made out of Portuguese glass; a one day symposium investigating how designers dream up their designs and the international sculpture garden which explores the themes of growth and cultural identity. In addition, there will be large scale installations, heritage walks, lectures, narrow boat rides, street entertainment and festival ale. The British Glass Biennale The highlight of the festival begins on 22nd August - The British Glass Biennale exhibition - which features over 80 artists from across the UK exhibiting a diverse range of sculptures, installations, vessels and beads. The Biennale exhibition is now the largest contemporary exhibition of its kind in the UK and attracts top collectors and enthusiasts from around the world. It runs until 28th September at the Ruskin Glass Centre in Malecite. The Sturbridge Glass Fair Exhibitors from all parts of the UK will converge at the Crystal Leisure, bringing together antique and collectable glass from around the world from all periods. Visitors will have the opportunity to view and buy all types of glass including Georgian, Art Novae and Art Deco, Continental, pressed, paperweights, White friars and other 20th century British and European designs. Among the exhibitors at the fair will be Peter Adamson with a selection of Georgian drinking glasses, Robert Marries showing Powell and Irish Glass and Roger Harris and Leda Drucaroff exhibiting Galle, Lets and Datum. In addition there will be several contemporary glass artists showing their own work, including Helen Millard, Vic Bam forth and Adam Aaronson. An added attraction will be the sale of a private collection of over 40 pieces by contemporary makers, Gillis Jones. Included in the sale will be several items from the 2005 'Back to Black and White' exhibition, Asculum vessels and some one-off specially commissioned examples. The Sturbridge Glass Fair takes place on Sunday 24th August at the Crystal Leisure Centre just off Bell Street in the town centre. Opening times are from 10.30am - 4.00pm with admission at £3. Following are some exhibition showed in the Festival 2008 Festival Exhibitions 2008 There is a range of fascinating exhibitions associated with the Festival this year at a variety of venues, some more surprising than others. These include: a) The International Sculpture Garden at Ruskin Glass Centre b) Danger of the Image': Glass Dresses by Diana Dias-Liao at Bradfield House Glass Museum c) International Bead makers Exhibition "The Tempest" in the Glasshouse Coffee Shop d) Glass Routes Exhibition at Ballston Craft Gallery e) 'Wall of Glass' an exhibition of traditionally painted, stained glass panels by graduates from the International Glass Centre of Dudley College f) 'Crystal Canvas' The Guild of Glass Engravers' exhibition of international contemporary engraved glass at Red House Glass Cone g) Glasshouse College Students Annual Exhibition of glasswork and other crafts h) The Annual 'Love Glass' exhibition at Red House Glass Cone i) A retrospective exhibition of Michael Harris, the founder of Medina Glass And of course the showpiece exhibition of the festival: Held at Ruskin Glass Centre in the stunning former glassworks of Webb Corbett and Royal Dolton, the Biennale is the foremost exhibition of excellence in contemporary glass by artists, designers and craftspeople currently working in Britain. It is justifiably the highlight of the International Festival of Glass, launched in 2004 in the heart of Sturbridge’s historic Glass Quarter. Around 150 major new glass works from British artists are selected, making this a highly significant statement of national glass talent. The Call For Entries, announced earlier in the year, has attracted more interest than the previous two events, aided by additional prize monies and new prizes offered by the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers.