MEMBERS of the Guild of Glass Engravers will be opening their latest exhibition at the Red House Glass Cone next week as part of the International Festival of Glass.

The guild, which draws its members from all over the world, is staging its exhibition entitled 21st Century Engraved Glass at the Wordsley heritage attraction.

After previously exhibiting at the cone in 2012, this year’s guild display features a wide variety of glass which has been engraved using a range of classic techniques to create pieces with a contemporary edge.

Techniques include copper wheel engraving, stipple engraving and drill engraving. Some of the pieces have delicate surface engraving, while others use intaglio engraving where the glass is deeply engraved to give a 3D effect.

Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, cabinet member elect for museums, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Guild of Glass Engravers back to the cone after their previous stunning exhibition in 2012 and I know that there’s a lot to look forward to this time.

“We are especially pleased that the Glass Engraving Network has selected the Red House Glass Cone and the International Festival of Glass to start this European tour which will showcase some of the most talented glass engraving artists in Europe.”

Pieces in the exhibition include a copper wheel engraved crouched figure floating on a bed of vibrant orange and yellow roses by Alison Kinnaird and a quirky glass panel ‘I want to be a ballerina too’ by artist Sandra Snaddon.

Red House Glass Cone offers free admission and is open from 10am to 4pm every day of the week.

The four-day International Festival of Glass 2015 is being held around Stourbridge glass quarter from May 28 to 31 and features a huge range of exhibitions, lectures, entertainment and family fun, which is set to attract hundreds of visitors to the town.

For more information visit www.ifg.org.uk