The Contemporary Glass Society (CGS) is delighted to be taking part in a brand new collaboration with the General Office Gallery in Stourbridge. This exhibition will be for new Graduates working in glass and is entitled "Glass Beginnings: Graduates of 2024".

The Launching of a Brand New Exhibition Opportunity – "Glass Beginnings: Graduates of 2024".

The exhibition runs from Saturday, 17th August to Sunday, 1st September, 2024 and will be part of the International Festival of Glass.

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 artists at all stages of their careers, collectors and members of the general public interested in contemporary glass. www.cgs.org.uk

The General Office is a small independent gallery which was set up in the autumn of 2018 following the loss of studios rented in the former Old Library and Art College building. General Office also houses eight artist studios and a hireable print room. The gallery curates a full programme of contemporary exhibitions of fine art, photography, glass and ceramics, and holds regular classes and workshops with occasional talks and screenings. www.generaloffice.co.uk

12 to 15 artists will have the opportunity to exhibit their work in a prominent location as part of the prestigious International Festival of Glass.  There will also be a range of prizes on offer to the chosen artists.

Criteria for Selection:

• You must be graduating from a British or Irish accredited course in 2024
• You must be graduating from a British or Irish accredited MA or PhD course in 2023
• Work must consist of at least 50% glass.
• The work will be judged for quality and concept
• Work must be for sale

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: 

Submissions

The application process will be launched on Monday 4th March and will close at 5pm on Monday, 6th May, 2024

The Selection

Selection will be made from images only, so please ensure your images are good quality & high resolution (300dpi) and represent your work accurately.

Please send images that show the complete work but details can also be included if you wish.

You can send up to three images of one piece, or one image of three pieces.

Maximum three images.

Please give photo credit on each image, this will enable the gallery to commence PR for a press campaign with images of work by successful applicants.

A panel including the Gallery Owners, CGS Board Members and an independent jury, will select work in May 2024.

We will contact successful applicants by 3rd June 2024

If you have not heard by 17th June 2024, please assume you have not been successful. 

We will attempt to inform all applicants of the outcome, but this may not be possible if the volume of applications is high.

Important dates:

Application launch date: Monday, 4th March 2024

Applications close: 5pm on Monday, 6th May 2024

You will be advised if you have been successful: Monday 3rd June 2024

Selected work must be delivered or sent to Gallery: 12th – 14th August 2024

Exhibition dates: Saturday, 17th August to Sunday, 1st September, 2024

Open evening: Saturday 17th August 6pm - 8pm 

Exhibition take down:  Monday 2nd September ,

Collection of unsold work Friday 6th & Saturday 7th August 11am-4pm, by prior arrangement with Gallery.

Delivery and collection:

Selected work must be delivered or sent to:

The General Office
12, Hagley Road,
Stourbridge DY8 1PS
Tel: 07976935413

Opening hours: Wednesday – Sunday 11 – 4pm

Work to be dropped off on Monday 12th – Wednesday 14th August. 

Work delivered by courier: to be between 12th– 14th August.  

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 between 10am - 4pm on these dates.
• 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.  Make a note of size and weight if using a courier
• Put your name and address 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 artist 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 Gallery 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.

Sales:

The Gallery will charge 40% commission with 5% added for CGS funds = 45% total commission.  Please show your artist's price, we shall calculate the selling price.

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. Maker sure your name and title of work is in the file name of the image, plus any photo credit.

In any case please provide the name of the photographer, who will be credited accordingly.  This is important so that we can use your images to promote the exhibition.

Publicity images should be a minimum of 300dpi.

Promotion by the Gallery & CGS will include digital and print, including posters, inclusion on both websites. 

For further information contact:

Pam Reekie,
Membership and Fundraising Administrator
Contemporary Glass Society (CGS)
Tel + 44 (0)1379741120 
Website:  www.cgs.org.uk

The General Office
12, Hagley Road,
Stourbridge DY8 1PS
Tel: 07976935413
Website: General Office

The Contemporary Glass Society (CGS) is widely regarded as the foremost organisation in the UK for promoting, supporting and encouraging cutting edge contemporary glass and glass-makers within the wider art world.