Our latest Culture Radar guest is Executive Director of The World of Glass, Sarah Taylor.
What arts & cultural Liverpool City Region event/s have you loved recently?
Anything the Bluecoat delivers! But I have to admit to not experiencing any events recently, as it’s been all hands on deck this summer.
What arts & cultural Liverpool City Region event/s are you looking forward to?
I am hoping to see my very first play at Shakespeare North. Macbeth is playing in September and I can’t wait to experience it in a traditional Shakespearean theatre.
What is coming up for your organisation?
The International Festival of Glass takes place from 28th to 31st August, and it’s the first time it’s ever been held in the North West.
We will be welcoming glass artists from around the world to not only exhibit their work, but to hold free public demonstrations in our working hot glass studio. There is a whole programme of family-friendly activities over the Bank Holiday weekend, and it includes not only The World of Glass, but other organisations in St Helens who will be putting on activities to showcase St Helens’ glass heritage.
While the festival itself will be a fantastic weekend, it also serves as the launch of The British Glass Biennale. We are curating this exhibition, which will run from 28th August to 31st October. Also never before held in the North West, it showcases the highest quality British contemporary glass.
Trivia:
The World of Glass is a bit of a hidden gem, which is surprising given that we’re just a stone’s throw from St Helens Central train station!
We’re the only tourist attraction in the North West where you can regularly watch professional glassblowers at work, but we’re also the only accredited museum in St Helens, telling the story of the borough and its glassmaking heritage.
We’ve recently moved and upgraded our café, serving delicious Crosby Coffee, and opened a brand-new shop showcasing local arts and crafts too.