GLASS artists have designed their very own unique versions of the famous Olympic medal in honour of the successful London 2012 Games.

Different medal designs created by more than 80 members of the Contemporary Glass Society can be seen in the Medallions exhibition running at Stourbridge’s Ruskin Glass Centre as part of the International Festival of Glass which kicks off this Friday (August 24).

Artists hailing from Cornwall to Aberdeen and as far afield as Singapore, Spain and Hong Kong have created an array of abstract, sculptural, figurative and pictorial glass medals which can be seen at the Wollaston Road centre from August 22 to September 15.

Internationally acclaimed David Reekie, Nancy Sutcliffe and Angela Thwaites and renowned Brierley Hill based artist Vic Bamforth are among those with pieces in the display.

Victoria Scholes, chairman of the Contemporary Glass Society, which has organised the exhibition to put contemporary glass art on the map, said: “We’re thrilled about the show. The medallions are amazingly imaginative and beautifully crafted, with a few surprises too.”

Major glass collector Mark Holford is sponsoring a £250 prize for the best glass medal, which will be chosen by a jury including Alan J Poole of Dan Klein Associates, a collector and supporter of UK glass artists.

Holford is also creating his own medal, which will be produced by Jackson Fawkes and presented as part of the prize. While Alan J Poole is also offering a £250 People’s Prize for the medal most admired by visitors to the exhibition.

Some of the medals will be available to buy during the glass festival - for £50, £100 or £150.

The International Festival of Glass, celebrating 400 years of glassmaking in Stourbridge and 50 years of studio glass worldwide, will run from tomorrow (Friday) throughout the August Bank Holiday weekend until Monday August 27.

As well as exhibitions - there will be workshops, demonstrations, have a go sessions and a host of other glass-themed activities taking place at venues across Stourbridge’s Glass Quarter - including Red House Glass Cone in Wordsley, Broadfield House Glass Museum in Kingswinford and Plowden & Thompson at Audnam.

For more information visit website www.ifg.org.uk or call the festival office on 01384 399410.