New gallery launched to showcase contemporary glass masters

A new gallery has been launched to champion contemporary glass arts in the heart of Stourbridge – the Black Country’s historic glassmaking quarter.

Simon Bruntnell, who has opened a glass exhibition studio at the Stuarts Works, High Street in Wordsley

The Bruntnell Astley Contemporary Glass and Crafts Gallery is at the former Stuart Crystal Glassworks in Wordsley High Street.

Photographer Simon Bruntnell has set it up after spending years turning his lens on the work of modern glass masters in the area that was once world-renowned for its glassmaking.

He said: “It’s not something that’s going to make me a millionaire, but I appreciate the fact that I can exhibit all of these diverse and wonderful pieces at the gallery.

Glass artist Keith Cummings, who has some of his work on display in Simon Bruntnell's glass exhibition studio at the Stuarts Works, High Street in Wordsley

“The room is not a big one, but it will be an interesting one and I have got some incredible pieces to show the public. It’s become a bit of a passion of mine and I’ve really begun to appreciate the medium.

“It’s my intention to exhibit colleges like Edinburgh, The Royal College of Art and other academic institutions, showcasing some of the very best new talent, but my wish now is to build a little satellite in the Midlands and persuade people to come to Stourbridge.”

GALLERY: Diverse glass revealed

Mr Bruntnell set up the gallery after meeting and working with a number of artists who specialised in glass and are from the area.

This included artist Keith Cummings, who is considered to be the founding father of the British Glass Movement since he started working with glass in 1967 and who has trained many artists who are exhibiting.

It follows on from a successful exhibition, organised by Mr Bruntnell, called Legacies held as part of the International Festival of Glass that attracts hundreds of people from around the world to the glassmaking quarter including the landmark Red House Glass Cone and the Ruskin Glass Centre.

The Stuart Crystal Glassworks will also become home to The White House Cone Museum of Glass, expected to open some time next year.

The Bruntnell Astley Contemporary Glass and Crafts Gallery can be found at No.4, the Newhouse, Stuarts Works, High Street, Wordsley.

To arrange a visit to the gallery, e-mail simon@bruntnell-astley.com or call 07850 395193