Prague again becomes the heart of glass-making, the place where young glass-making artists from around the world begin their artistic career. Be there! We offer you an inspiring meeting with different views of the glass-making, new trends and techniques, an opportunity to necessary dialogue not only with established artists, but also with graduates from other schools and countries. We are launching this year's Stanislav Libenský Award competition.

Dear friends, If you pass by Vara (Sweden) between 21st April and 8th May, you are more than welcome to my solo exhibition "Skuggor av tomhet" - Shadows of the void at Library in Vara.

From 4th May 2012, you are cordially invited to the HOT & COOL exhibition that takes place at the Glasmuseet Ebeltoft, Denmark.

The second part – Solid foundations (the first half of the 19th century)
The Riedels are undoubtedly one of the most significant glass-making families of Czech origin. From humble beginnings they managed to build an empire over three generations that dominated the production of glass and jewellery in the Jizera Mountains region, which was one of the most important glass-making enclaves of the world. The story of the Riedels continued even after 1945, when all their property had been confiscated and nationalized. After difficult beginnings, they had found a new home in Kufstein, Austria, and again ranked among famous glass-making businessmen, although they began to focus mainly on hand made beverage glass instead of production of jewellery and decorative or technical glass.

The first part – The rise (18th century)
The Riedels are undoubtedly one of the most significant glass-making families of Czech origin. From humble beginnings they managed to build an empire over three generations that dominated the production of glass and jewellery in the Jizera Mountains region, which was one of the most important glass-making enclaves of the world. The story of the Riedels continued even after 1945, when all their property had been confiscated and nationalized. After difficult beginnings, they had found a new home in Kufstein, Austria, and again ranked among famous glass-making businessmen, although they began to focus mainly on hand made beverage glass instead of production of jewellery and decorative or technical glass.

In four decades, Pilchuck has become the leader in glass art education. Pilchuck’s the only international glass school in the world, with 25 or 30 different countries represented each year. Almost every important glass artist in the world now has come to Pilchuck.

JOEL PHILIP MYERS, BERTIL VALLIEN & JOHN STEINERT WIN TOP AWARDS FROM THE GLASS ART SOCIETY. November 22, 2011—Seattle, WA. The Glass Art Society is pleased to announce the selection of its 2012 award winners. The 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award (given since 1993 to acknowledge individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the development of the glass arts worldwide) goes to Joel Philip Myers and to Bertil Vallien. The 2012 Honorary Lifetime Membership Award for outstanding service to GAS goes to John Steinert of Steinert Industries.

Our next glass design exhibition at mudac opens to the public on Wednesday 23. November 2011.
mudac, Musée de design et d'arts appliqués contemporains, Lausanne, Switzerland; 23. 11. 2011 - 2. 9. 2012

Royal College of Art, London, Great Britain
7 December 2011

The fifth and final part – From a trade with Turnov stones to a hereditary knighthood
In the 16th century, the Wanders developed among the most important glassmaking families of the Renaissance Bohemia. The fates of the offspring of this family branch show a remarkable journey leading from glassmaking masters and glass painters of the 16th and 17th century to high posts in the government of the Habsburg monarchy in the late 18th and the first half of the 19th century. The final fifth part is devoted to various activities of members of the family from the early 18th to the end of the 19th century.