The Glass Quarter

 

Stourbridge and the surrounding area has been providing the world with the finest crystal and glassware for over 400 years. It's an industry with a fine tradition and an enviable heritage, but also one that is very much alive today, in a continually evolving form.

 

Although some of the more well known names are no longer producing within the Glass Quarter, their memory lives on. The Red House Glass Cone is the only surviving example of what was a familiar sight on the Stourbridge landscape. One of only five remaining in the world - four of them in the UK- the Red House Glass Cone has remained virtually unaltered from it's productive days with Stuart Crystal. Film, audio guides and exhibits all help visitors explore the cone's two centuries of glassmaking history.

Broadfield House Glass Museum celebrates glassmaking in all its glory; with displays form the 18th century right through to contemporary designs and featuring scheduled 'hot' glassmaking demonstrations. The museums combines the old with the new: a beautiful late Georgian house with an award winning modern extension, believed to be the largest all glass structure in the world. Also, Broadfield House Glass Museum has recently won the Gold Award in the prestigious Heart of England Excellence in Tourism Awards 2006.

Contemporary Glass Studios

 

There are several contemporary glass studios located in the Glass Quarter, many in the Ruskin Glass Centre including Blowzone and Kevin Barry Crystal. Other notable names within the Glass Quarter are Brierley Hill Crystal, Dawn Crystal and Tudor Crystal, which is located in the Dial Glassworks.

 

For further details of Glass makers and Designers in the area, please download a copy of the Glass Directory at the bottom of this page.

Glass History

 

A highlight of the International Festival of Glass is the British Glass Biennale. The Biennale is an exhibition of the finest examples of contemporary glass art by leading UK-based artists.  It is the must-see exhibition for collectors, buyers and enthusiasts of contemporary glass art and is a selling show with over 130 pieces of work ranging from the small scale to large installations and prices from £200 to £35,000 for sale to collectors and buyers. 

 

The image is of Tracy Nicholls, Biennale Winner IFG 2008.

 

 

 

 

The next International Festival of Glass in Stourbridge will take place during the August Bank Holiday weekend Friday 27th to Monday 30th August 2010.  Further information can be obtained from Ruskin Glass Centre on 01384 399400 or visit the International Festival of Glass website.