Garvald Glass Workshop selected for British Glass Biennale

Glass Carousel, on display at the Garvald Creature Collective exhibition last year. Photo: Kat Dlugosz

The Garvald Glass workshop has been selected to present their work at the British Glass Biennale at Ruskin Mill, Stourbridge.  

The organisers say the exhibition will showcase “the most interesting, diverse and outstanding glass art made in the UK in the last two years”. One hundred and twenty-one artists will be taking part.  

The Glass workshop will be presenting their piece, Glass Carousel, pictured above. The piece was made by all 12 members of the Glass workshop. The group were inspired by a book about traditional carousels which brought back lots of memories for everyone. Members designed and produced glass animals with saddles and a colourful glass canopy. 

“The carousel took at least six months to complete,” said Glass member Cissie Greaves. “My favourite part of the carousel is the tiger I made, called Judith.”  

Cissie’s original drawing of her tiger, next to the version made from glass

Glass member John Newey was also chosen to take part in a beadmaking masterclass ahead of the Biennale. “I’m proud to represent Garvald,” he said, “I am good at beadmaking, but this will be a higher level”.  

John was chosen as one of 4 people with learning disabilities to take part in the masterclass. Artist Holly Cooper will lead the class a few days before the exhibition opens.  

Garvald staff member Marzena Ostromecka will also be exhibiting this year, a group from the glass workshop are going to visit and are excited to see her work!  

The British Glass Biennale will take place in August, opening to the public from 23rd August – 28th September 2024 with free entry.