The Glass Association

We start the day with the viewing of a member's collection of glass made in North West England.  We then visit the Gallery in Accrington which has the largest public collection of Tiffany Glass in Europe.

Lunch Menu.

Tiffany Mosaic   Image Credit (c) Hyndburn BC

Our understanding of the production of glass artefacts in early medieval England between the 5th and 7th centuries is limited. Scientific analysis of a large number of glass beads excavated from the early Anglo-Saxon cemetery complex at RAF Lakenheath (Eriswell), Suffolk, has provided new insights into the ways in which glass was procured and used in early medieval beadmaking. The results have revealed a number of distinct types of glass produced in the ‘Roman’ glassmaking tradition, which are likely to have their origins in the Near East. 

Full Details of the meeting on 24th May.

On 20th April, Glasmuseet Ebeltoft will open this year’s extensive summer exhibition, ’Scandinavian Glass – Starting All Over’. More than 70 artists and designers from Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland and Denmark are represented in the exhibition, which will be the largest presentation of Nordic glass for decades.

 Frida Fjellman  Sweden 'Une Touche de Soleil image(c) Museet Ebeltoft DK

Full Details  on view until 23rd September.

Joonas Laakso Finland 'Satelite 2 - 2017  Image(c) Museet Ebeltoft DK

The decorative glass industry of Manchester grew from the 1820’s when a group of Warrington glassmakersmoved twenty miles east and built a high class business using traditional techniques before branching out into new methods, colours and finishes. 

Full Details of the meeting 17 April 2018

Full Details of the meeting 15th March

       The Frua-Valsecchi Collection   Image(c) The Fitzwilliam Museum                                                                                               

           Details of the visit 25th April 2018

       Sorry  EVENT SOLD OUT - WAITING LIST ONLY

In connection to the exhibition Glass, Light, Paint & Clay from the Graham Cooley Collection, which includes work by Studio Glass founder, Sam Herman; Mark Hill will be delivering a talk on decorative glass at Peterborough Museum. Although glass has been made for centuries, the 1960s saw a revolution in the way it was made, opening it up to artists across the world and allowing for unprecedented creativity. After looking at the historical context and the genesis of the movement, Mark examines the work of six key and pioneering glass artists from the US and the UK, including Sam Herman, Dale Chihuly, and Peter Layton and put them into context. Containing previously unseen photographs taken at the time, this talk also includes Mark's top tips and an overview of the market today and the creative journey made by glassmakers so far.Tickets are £6 per person and are available to buy from Peterborough Museum reception in person or via: 01733 864663

Image (c)  Graham Cooley / vivacity.org

Dr Graham Cooley is bringing his eclectic collection to Peterborough City Gallery until 14th December 2017. His unique selection of artwork reveals his broad taste across different materials and practices. Most collectors will amass a certain type of work, normally by a certain artist, and stick to it. Cooley, however, meets the art world with open arms and scoops up an array of work which portrays the level of craftsmanship coming out of the UK. This spectrum includes GLASS by Sam Herman, LIGHTs by ceramicist Bernard Rooke, PAINT by Duncan Clarke and CLAY by John Maltby.

More Information

Join us for a celebration of Abbott & Co of Lancaster and stained glass manufacture in Lancashire from the medieval period to the 20th century.

Talks include medieval stained glass in Lancashire by Penny Hebgin-Barnes, the company of George Wragge of Salford, by Veronica Smith and Abbott & Co stained glass manufacturers of Lancaster by Margaret Edwards. There will also be an exhibition of Abbott & Co and Shrigley & Hunt watercolour designs and art inspired by the collections created by Fiona Rainford, textile artist.

This will be a fascinating event for anyone interested in the craft of stained glass and its Lancashire heritage.

Further information and Booking 

A 2 day seminar will be held in the British Museum to mark the 30th anniversary of the Glass of the Caesars exhibition.'

 Sessions will be based on broad themes: Organisation of the Roman glass industry, production techniques, hot and cold decoration of glass, regional traditions, the contribution of scientific analysis and research, the changing roles of museums in the presentation of ancient glass and public engagement with glass studies.

Further information & booking form