Since 2015, we have spread knowledge about the international glass community to thousands of people through live events, workshops, and social media.

 

Our Mission

The mission of Gent Glas is to educate the public about the international glass community and build a sustainable glass community in Belgium. Gent Glas introduces a broad public to the processes of glass making, as an artistic medium which can be used both traditionally and conceptually. Gent Glas educates young and upcoming glass makers. Gent Glas showcases established glass makers and offer the opportunities to demonstrate their craft. Gent Glas supports and sustains the community by economy around glass.

Why is this important?

Gent Glas began with the intent of building a community around the material of glass. Every aspect of the studio from the live events, to the craft beer served in hand made glasses, to the extensive visiting artist program is meant to educate. The glass community cannot survive on the back of the makers alone, it needs a public willing to support it. In order for the public to support it and become a part of the broader glass community, they have to understand the value of the work being done both culturally and financially.

how we do this

  • exhibitions

  • community events

  • handmade objects

  • promoting the sale of handmade objects

  • showcasing local and international artists

  • free to the public live glass making demonstrations

  • low cost and affordable workshops

  • intermediate and advanced workshops

  • visiting artists

  • participating in international events

What We've Achieved

  • We played a major part in the rejuvenation of the Nieuwland Site in Ghent, where our studio is currently located.

  • In 2015, we participated in the Ghent Light Festival with a performance revolving around light and sound.

  • In 2015, we collaborated with the Design Museum Gent for the exhibition Lightopia. We created a lighting design competition and produced the winning designs with visiting artist Marc Barreda during a public event.

  • As part of Lightopia, we invited performance artist Kim Harty for a special performance titled ®EVOLUTIONARY LIGHT to close the exhibition.

  • FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE has been introducing a new public to the glass community and the processes of glass making weekly for over three years.

  • We have initiated learning programs to introduce glass making to a broad public. Our workshops consist of Touching Glass (introductory workshops), Trying Glass (beginner workshops), and Learning Glass (intermediate workshops).

  • In less than four years, we have hosted over 40 visiting artists from seven different countries, including: Charlyn Reynolds, Koen Vanmechelen, Angus Powers, Ondrej Novotny, Susan Taylor Glasgow, Einar and Jamex de la Torre, and many more.

  • in 2018, we initiated INSPIR[E](REN) - INSPIRATI(E)[ON], a visiting artist program for artists who do not use glass as a primary medium or experimentally.

  • In 2019, we initiated Doorbraak in Glas, a program designed to reach young people and introduce them to glass as an artistic material through a variety of workshops.

Financial Report

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become part of the community

You can support the community in a variety of ways from attending our live events to becoming a member.

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