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St Helens hosts International Glass Festival

Phil Cunliffe,North West Tonightand
Jenny Coleman,North West
International Festival of Glass A woman with long black dreadlocked hair, wearing a black headscarf and black T-shirt and white gloves is making glass work as a group of people watch on.International Festival of Glass
The festival features work from over 80 international artists

St Helens has welcomed glass artists and makers from across the world for the International Festival of Glass.

It is the first time the Merseyside town, renowned for its glass-making, has hosted the event, which coincides with Pilkington glass manufacturer's 200th anniversary.

Work from more than 80 glass artists from 23 different countries will be featured across the weekend - with exhibitions, demonstrations and community events taking place at a range of locations.

Brandi Clark, executive director at New York based Glass Art Society, said the festival was "a chance to celebrate both the art form and the rich heritage of glass which can be found in St Helens".

International Festival of Glass A woman with mid-length brown hair and wearing protective glasses with red lenses holds up an artwork, made with glass. A woman with long dark hair and wearing a grey jumper, jeans and dark framed glasses takes a picture on her phone.International Festival of Glass
A range of demonstrations and workshops will take place across the weekend

"Glass has been in St Helens for as long as people can remember it," she said.

"We've met people here that are third-generation glass workers and the pride that is in St. Helens around glass is something that really resonated with us."

The festival also brings together leading glass professionals to share knowledge and help develop new skills.

Brandi Clark has long dark hair and is wearing dark framed glasses, a grey jumper and large silver necklace. She is stood in an exhibition gallery where glass sculptures are on display.
The festival celebrates the "rich heritage of St Helens", Brandi Clark said

Glass sculptor Elliot Walker said the festival was an important way for people to connect with the industry.

"We're a very niche community but everyone has the same sort of ethos, everyone has the same work ethic and the same sort of struggle," he said.

"Events like this are actually really good for students to connect with makers, look for jobs, look for experiences."

Elliot Walker has closely shaven head, brown beard and lip piercing. He is wearing a green t-shirt and is stood in a workshop where glass makers are at work in the background.
Glass sculptor Elliot Walker said the festival is important for artists

Sarah Taylor, executive director of The World of Glass, said the festival represents a major milestone for both the museum and the town.

In October 2025 it was feared the museum, on Chalon Way East, would have to shut due to rising costs.

The museum was saved after receiving £286,000 government money from the new Museum Renewal Fund.

"To have come from nearly closing just a year ago to hosting an event of this scale is something we're incredibly proud of," Taylor said.

"St Helens has a world-famous glass heritage and this is our chance to show that it's not just part of our past, but our future too."

A man is looking into a glass cabinet in a gallery of glass art. Two other people in the background are looking at glass sculptures.
The exhibitions will run at The World of Glass until 1 November

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