The Contemporary Glass Society (CGS) is delighted to be collaborating once again with The World of Glass in St Helens in the launch of a new open-to-all members exhibition in the Museum's recently upgraded exhibition space. The exhibition will run from Saturday 30th September to Friday 17th November 2023.

The Contemporary Glass Society is the premiere supporter and promoter of contemporary glass art and glass artists within the UK.  Membership is open to glass artist at all stages of their careers, collectors and members of the general public interested in contemporary glass.

The World of Glass is a local Museum and visitor centre in St Helens , Merseyside. The Museum is dedicated to the local history of the town and borough primarily through the lens of the glass industry.  The Museum was founded in 2000 and is an amalgamation of the former Pilkington Glass and St Helens Borough Council Collections. The purpose built premises was constructed adjacent to the Pilkington’s glassworks and the stretch of the St Helens Canal known as the "Hotties".

The exhibition is open to all CGS members at any stage of their career but with a special emphasis on CGS Northern members. There is no theme to the exhibition but it will be a celebration of the diversity of contemporary glass.  However, the range of techniques being exhibited will be highlighted.  All work submitted is to be for sale.  We welcome wall pieces as well as plinth based work.

This is an open show for CGS members only. A non-refundable administration fee of £25 will be charged per application.

All artists are able to submit up to 3 pieces of work.  However, it maybe that if you are selected not all of your pieces of work will be shown.  This will be subject to the number of applications we receive and the size and quantity of entries.

Criteria:

Up to three pieces of work can be submitted. You can send up to 3 images of one piece, with at least one showing the whole piece, or 3 images of different pieces of work.

• Entrants must be paid up members of the Contemporary Glass Society.
• Work must comprise of at least 50% medium of glass.
• Work submitted for consideration must have been made after 1st January 2018.
• The work must be for sale.
• It must be possible to deliver selected works to the Gallery by Saturday 23rd September.
• We welcome both wall pieces and plinth-based work.
• Work must be resilient to both heat and light as it is not possible to control environmental factors in the Museum

If you’re not already a member of CGS, you can join to take part, see  Become a Member: Contemporary Glass Society (cgs.org.uk).  As well as making you eligible for this exciting exhibition, you’ll be part of a dynamic contemporary glass community and receive valuable membership benefits – see full details at www.cgs.org.uk.

Selection:

Final decisions on which pieces will be included will be made by the Museum. This will be subject to the number of applications we receive and the size and quantity of entries.  You will be advised which of your pieces will be exhibited by the end of August.

Important dates:

Launch date: Friday 21st July

Applications close: 5pm on Friday 18th August

Exhibition dates: Saturday 30th September to Friday 17th November

Open evening: 30th September 6pm - 8pm

Delivery and collection:

Selected work must be delivered or sent to:

The World of Glass,
Chalon Way East,
Saint Helens,
WA10 1BX

Phone: 01744 22766

• Work to be dropped off on Saturday 23rd September.  Work delivered by courier: to be between 21st to 23rd September.  You must let the Gallery know in advance when you will be delivering your work and whether it is arriving by yourself or Courier
• Deliveries can be made in the Museum’s normal opening hours during these dates; 10am to 5pm
• If you require alternative arrangements, do let the Gallery know and they will endeavour to support this.
• Make sure your work is packed well, keeping the package as small as possible. 

Put your name on the outside of your package, a small image of your piece and the reference CGS.

• Include a Delivery Note inside, with your name, title of work and selling price. If there is more than one piece do ensure each piece is marked with a code. Do make sure work is packed well.
• Attach a label to each piece.
• Any unsold work must be collected by artists or collection arranged at their cost. 

If work is being imported into the UK for this show, the maker must pay for any duties imposed by UK customs.  

Installation:

If your work has a complicated installation system or you have specific requirements on how your work is displayed, please include detailed and clear instructions  within your parcel.

Insurance:

Work will be insured from arrival at the Museum for the duration of the exhibition until work is either collected or despatched.  However, artists are encouraged to have their own insurance.

No responsibility can be accepted by the venue for any damage incurred to exhibits whilst in storage or during transit.  Transportation and insurance of exhibits to and from the venue space is the sole responsibility of the artist.

Display of Work:

All work should be provided “exhibition ready”. Where this involves framing, work should be provided in high quality, clean and unmarked frames. Frames should be the correct size for the work, with no visible gaps around the edges or mounting area and the work should be securely fastened within. Works not in an open frame should be behind glass not Perspex. Frames should have sufficient hanging provision.

The Museum will charge 30% commission with 5% added for CGS funds = 35% total commission.

The Museum and CGS are proposing to also include additional events:

• Workshops
• Meet the makers
• Talks
• Craft fair

Applicants will be advised of additional events after the closing date for applications.

Marketing and Publicity:

If selected, please ensure that all images you send are available for us to use for publicity and that you have copyright. In any case please provide the name of the photographer who will be credited accordingly. Publicity images should be a minimum of 300dpi.

Promotion by the Museum & CGS will include digital and print.