Festival Partners

The 2026 International Festival of Glass would not be possible without the generous support, expertise, and enthusiasm of a remarkable group of partner organisations, each of whom has played a vital role in bringing the Festival to life in the North West of England. We are grateful to:

  • The World of Glass, a key partner, providing the venue which will be central to the exhibitions and activities taking place as part of the Festival, as well as sharing the knowledge and expertise of their staff
  • Contemporary Glass Society, the UK’s leading organisation for the promotion and support of glass as an art form, whose longstanding commitment to the Festival family continues into this new chapter
  • Manchester Metropolitan University School of Art, whose facilities and academic expertise are enabling the delivery of the Festival’s masterclass programme
  • St Helens Council Arts in Libraries, who have helped to embed the Festival within the cultural life of the borough and connect it with local communities
  • St Helens College, whose support for skills, creativity, and participation reflects the Festival’s own values of education and accessibility
  • Ruskin Mill Trust, whose two decades of stewardship of the International Festival of Glass laid the foundations on which this new edition is built
  • Pilkington UK, whose extraordinary legacy of glass innovation in St Helens stretches back nearly two centuries and whose continued presence in the town makes it the natural home for a festival of this kind
  • Heart of Glass, St Helens’ own centre for contemporary art, whose creative networks and community connections have enriched the festival programme
  • Glass Futures, the pioneering not-for-profit organisation leading the way on sustainability and new technologies in the global glass industry
  • BuzzHub, whose grassroots community engagement has helped to involve local people in shaping and participating in the Festival
  • St Helens Council, whose practical support and civic pride have helped to ensure the Festival makes its mark on the heart of St Helens itself
  • Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, who has been instrumental in helping the Festival move amongst North West communities.

Together, these organisations embody the spirit of collaboration that lies at the very core of the International Festival of Glass.

Festival Sponsors

We’re proud to welcome Glasma, the Paul Wissmach Glass Company, and The Glass Furnace  as sponsors of the International Festival of Glass.

Founded in 1979, Glasma has established itself as the glassmakers’ choice for high-quality glass batch materials, working closely with customers to craft the perfect glass batch recipe for every unique melting process. Based in Emmaboda, in the heart of Sweden’s Småland region — historically renowned for its world-class glass production — their dedicated Studio Art Glass range is specially formulated to meet the exacting standards of glass artists worldwide, offering fast melting, excellent refining, and a long, agile quality that makes it ideal for glass blowing and forming. Glasma’s deep roots in the craft and their commitment to supporting the global glass art community make them a truly fitting partner for this festival.

Based in Paden City, West Virginia, the Paul Wissmach Glass Company has been making glass for artists and designers around the world for over a century, celebrating 120 years of continuous glass production in 2024. Today the company is celebrated as the producer of the largest variety of coloured sheet glass in the world, with its work gracing cathedrals, chapels, and artistic installations across the globe. Specialising in stained glass, kiln glass, and fusing glass, Wissmach’s dedication to craftsmanship and innovation continues to set industry standards and inspire creativity — making them a wonderfully fitting partner for this festival.

In addition to supporting the Festival,  Paul Wissmach Glass Company has also sponsored one of our Masterclasses led by glass artist Opal Seabrook. We are deeply grateful for their continued belief in the power of this art form.

Founded in Istanbul, Glass Furnace has become one of Türkiye’s largest and most important glass art centers over the past 26 years. Since its establishment, it has contributed to the development of glass art by bringing together local and international artists, becoming a contemporary glass art center that fosters creativity and supports artistic production.

Today, by bringing together artists from different disciplines, Glass Furnace continues to make significant contributions to the field of glass art. Through international workshops and educational programs, it supports artists in producing contemporary glass collections and strengthening their professional development, while also providing opportunities for emerging artists to engage with this medium.

We also wish to say thank you to Sarah Nichols, whose support of the Festival is directly benefiting the glass arts, both in the UK and internationally.