Connection & Collaboration- Discussion Day

It was such a pleasure organising and chairing the British Society of Master Glass Painters annual Discussion Day with our Artists Working Group last September, 2024. The theme was based on Connection & Collaboration, intended to empower artistic expression and foster future collaborations by inspiring practitioners to creatively connect and strengthen their professional relationships. Located at the stunning Worshipful Company of Glaziers & Painters of Glass Guildhall, London.

The morning was spent listening to our guest speakers Amber Hiscott and Bethany Wood. They did a marvelous job lecturing about their most extensive collaborative projects and reflecting on how these connections aided in the projects success throughout their independent glass careers.

Amber Hiscott works internationally as an innovative architectural glass artist from her studio in Wales. Her large scale commissioned works are in many public settings and she teaches artistic stained glass across the UK and Europe. Bethany Wood is the founder of Blowfish Glass Gallery in Stourbridge, a town that has a rich glass-making history dating back to the 17th century. She produces her own range of glassware as well as running workshops to share her passion for glass blowing.

The morning finished with an artist’s panel Q&A, which ignited important discussions surrounding stained glass education, tips on strengthening professional relationships and how to create opportunities ourselves. Examples of Amber & Bethany’s artistic projects and snap shots from their presentations shown above.

That afternoon, for the ‘Show & Tell’ portion of the day, we were extremely pleased to introduce 14 practitioners, who provided wonderfully diverse portfolios and recent projects in a series of power point presentations. It was a fantastic opportunity for participants to share their own work with other professionals, pics shown above. As well as hot and cold glass artists, we were joined by apprentices, interior designers, architects and organisation representatives. Before heading home and to conclude the event, we headed to the pub for a proper networking session. Overall, the event promoted a strong sense of community; which not only inspired attendees to connect, but to collaborate!

Symposium- Heritage Crafts Red Listing of Traditional Stained Glass

Held this past February, at the Art workers Guild, London. The British Society of Master Glass Painters hosted a joint Symposium with Heritage Crafts to discuss the red listing of traditional stained glass window making and safeguarding it for the future!

It was a privilege to have been invited to such an important, solution based event, designed to get stained glass off the Red List of Endangered crafts! Loved seeing so many friendly faces and being surrounded by a group of such passionate professionals, committed to contributing their collective expertise for the better!

This exciting and crucial event was structured to address every aspect of the stained glass industry. Exploring educational opportunities, access to raw materials, shifting commissioning bodies and public engagement. To gather a more holistic view on the agenda, not just stained glass practitioners, studio directors and apprentices were invited, but a range of associated professionals such as architects, material producers, historians, interior designers, bid writers, educators and curators! The day was extremely constructive, we engaged in multiple discussions, exploring how we can possibly navigate the hurdles facing our beloved craft and reverse it’s current trajectory!

So excited to take action together! ❤

Translating Winning Youth Cadet Design into Glass

I really had fun translating one of the winning designs onto glass for the 2023 Reflections of the Lord Mayor Stained Glass Roundel Competition! Each year previous professional winners are asked to translate the winning youth designs into glass! These designs are produced with enamels, silver stain, glass and lead came.

Junior Sea Cadet and winner, Sebastian, delivered a wonderfully uplifting and informative composition based on the career and interests of Alderman Vincent Keaveny; in commemoration of his term as the 693rd Lord Mayor of London. It was a pleaure bringing Sebastian’s roundel to life, he did a fabulous job creating a thoughtfully structured design, sympathetic to the stained glass medium.

The winning roundels were presented at the 2023 Reflections of the Lord Mayor Gala, held last summer at the orante Stationers Hall, London. It was another engaging event, celebrating education, supporting charities, experiencing culture and promoting professional exchange.

The Reflections of The Lord Mayor competition is an excellent creative opportunity, accessible to most ages; formatted to include categories not just for professional stained glass artists, but participating schools and Sea Cadet units too. Youth winners receive recognition, a monetary prize and their design fabricated by a stained glass craftsperson! Yay!

Don’t miss out on this unique creative opportunity!