The Contemporary Glass Society (CGS) is delighted to announce the Amanda Moriarty Prize 2026, offering a unique mentoring opportunity for one CGS member with renowned artist and glassmaker Emma Woffenden.

In 2017, Amanda Moriarty, a long-serving Board member and Honorary Treasurer of the Contemporary Glass Society, passed away.

To celebrate her enthusiasm and encouragement of glassmaking, CGS offers this annual prize in her memory.

This prize responds to the many requests from makers for mentoring and support in developing ideas alongside processes.

Whether you have a new project in progress or wish to develop your existing practice, this opportunity offers guidance, practical advice, and creative support through mentoring with Emma.

About Emma Woffenden

Emma Woffenden is an internationally recognised British artist working in glass and mixed media.

She trained extensively in glassmaking at the Royal College of Art and University for Creative Arts, developing a practice that combines kiln-formed, cast, blown, and cold constructed glasswork.

She later used the transferable mould making skills to work with materials such as bronze, ceramic, wax and Jesmonite.

Her work has included making site specific installations, sculpture, objects, glassware design and interdisciplinary collaborations.

Its themes focus on the body as a way of expressing both physical and psychological states, reflecting on the individual in wider society.

The work explores gesture and how emotion is held in the body, how materialising something can decode our unconscious or psychic state.

This is supported by a dedicated drawing practice and has an emphasis on developing form through experimental modelmaking.

Emma is particularly known for her innovative approach to glass, pushing the material beyond traditional techniques and exploring ways of combining it with other materials and found objects.

Her work includes text and symbolic imagery, creating pieces that are both visually striking and conceptually rich.

Her sculptures and installations are held in over 25 UK and international public collections, including major museums and galleries in the UK, Europe, the USA, and Asia.

She has exhibited widely and is regarded as one of the leading and most influential artists working in contemporary glass in the UK.

Emma, is an experienced teacher and lecturer and her mentoring approach is supportive and idea-driven, helping artists to develop concepts, refine technical approaches, and think critically about their work and direction.

This makes the Amanda Moriarty Prize an exceptional opportunity for a CGS member to receive thoughtful, professional guidance tailored to their own practice and goals.

The Prize Includes:

• Four mentoring sessions with Emma Woffenden (online or in-person)
• The possibility of a day in Emma’s studio covering basic mould-making, experimental approaches, and technical advice tailored to the winner’s needs.
• Sessions taking place in Autumn 2026, arranged to suit both Emma and the selected maker.
• An induction Zoom call prior to the mentoring to meet Emma and discuss ideas.
• £300 contribution from CGS towards accommodation/travel if a studio visit takes place.
• Opportunity to develop new work, ideas, or a body of work with professional mentoring support.

This opportunity is:

• Open to artists at any stage of their glassmaking career
• Open to UK-based and international CGS members
• Designed to provide support and advice on specific projects and technical development.
• Offering, where appropriate, the option of an in-person studio visit for practical guidance.
• A chance to discuss your work and practice with one of the leading figures in UK glassmaking.

The aim of the prize is to help develop original ideas with the potential to produce a new piece, body of work, or project.

For the winner, this mentoring opportunity provides a rare chance to gain feedback and advice that may not normally be accessible, and to develop their work and practice in a supportive and professional environment.

This is a fantastic opportunity for practising glass artists at all levels and at all stages of their career to step back, take time, and explore their potential alongside an established maker.

Application Information

We expect a high level of interest in this prize, so please ensure that you tell us about yourself, your current glass practice, and what you hope to achieve through the mentoring in your application.

Eligibility

All CGS members can apply for this prize.
If you are not currently a member, you can join via the CGS website to be eligible to apply.

Join CGS: https://cgs.org.uk/join-today/