AN exhibition celebrating 25 years of the Contemporary Glass Society has opened at the new Stourbridge Glass Museum.

The CGS at 25: Past, Present, the Future exhibition was opened by glass expert Andy McConnell, from the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow, on the July 22 in the presence of the Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Sue Greenaway, and Dudley South MP Mike Wood.

Stourbridge News: Andy McConnell of the Antiques Roadshow, left, and work by Frans Wesselman, right.Andy McConnell of the Antiques Roadshow, left, and work by Frans Wesselman, right.

From humble beginnings 25 years ago, the Contemporary Glass Society has developed into a thriving society supporting British and international contemporary glass artists.

The exhibition, which runs until October 30, tells the history of the society and the world which is reflected by glass artwork covering a range of techniques from the past 25 years, including blown and cast glass, engraved and stained glass, pate de verre, digitally cut and designed glass, lampworking and kiln formed glass, by 25 of the UK’s greatest glass artists.

Artists represented in the exhibition include founding members of the society such as Peter Layton of London Glassblowing fame, kiln formed glass maestro Keith Cummings, renowned casters David Reekie and Colin Reid, artist and musician Alison Kinnaird MBE plus Catherine Hough, Sally Fawkes and Katharine Coleman MBE.

Stourbridge News: Renowned caster David Reekie, left, and work by Elliot Walker (winner of Netflix's Blown Away), right.Renowned caster David Reekie, left, and work by Elliot Walker (winner of Netflix's Blown Away), right.

The skills of Anthony Scala and Gilles Jones are also featured along with work by Angela Jarman, Max Jacquard, Bruno Romanelli, Cathryn Shilling, Ayako Tani, James Maskrey, Jo Mitchell, Nancy Sutcliffe, Casson McGarva, Frans Wesselman, Jeff Zimmer and Keiko Mukaide.

There’s also artwork by emerging stars – Joshua Kerley, Elliot Walker (winner of Netflix’s Blown Away) and Chris Day (winner of the commission sponsored by CGS and Stourbridge Glass Museum) and Erica Poyser (winner of the CGS graduate prize).

Susan Purser Hope, chair of the contemporary Glass Society, said: “This cornucopia of glass delights reflects the dynamism and sheer talent of contemporary glass in this country which has blossomed over the last 25 years.”