Celebrated stained glass exhibition comes to the Red House Glass Cone

An acclaimed touring exhibition which is a vibrant showcase of contemporary stained glass art that pays homage to William Morris is coming to the Red House Glass Cone.

Organised by the British Society of Master Glass Painters, the exhibition features 24 stunning panels selected from an open call to artists across the UK.

Each piece is a unique interpretation of Morris’s creative, social, and intellectual legacy, reflecting themes from his iconic textile designs to his radical political ideals.

Bethany Wood and Elliot Walker who run Blowfish Glass based at the cone, have been instrumental in bringing this exhibition to the site. While both are professional glass artists working primarily with blown glass (Bethany) and molten glass (Eliott), Elliot has brought the extinct craft of blown sheet glass making back to the UK.

He trained with Fremont Antique Glass and Monarch Glass Studio in the United States to master the technique, before coming back to offer small batches of artisan glass to stained glass craftspeople and conservators.

His contemporary interpretation of the traditional sheet glass making technique produces glass which is highly sought after by those working with stained glass.

He has developed his approach further, bringing stained glass artists and glass blowers together. His bespoke sheet glass initiative creates innovative, rare, and custom-made sheet glass - designed with direct input from stained glass artists - opening new possibilities for remarkable stained glass work.

As part of the exhibition, a sold-out series of engaging workshops and live demonstrations with Elliot will run at the end of November.

The “Inspired by William Morris” panels are mounted in a beautifully backlit double-sided frame. Visitors will experience a diverse range of stained glass techniques - from traditional leaded panels to experimental fused glass - demonstrating the enduring relevance of Morris’s vision in today’s artistic landscape.

All works are available for purchase, with proceeds supporting the artists and the BSMGP’s mission to preserve and promote stained glass craftsmanship.

Councillor Damian Corfield, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: “This exhibition is a shining example of how heritage and contemporary creativity can come together to inspire and engage our communities.

"Blowfish Glass has played a vital role in bringing this vision to life at the Red House Glass Cone, and we’re proud to support such a dynamic celebration of Stourbridge’s glassmaking legacy.”

Glass artist and Director of Blowfish Glass, Bethany Wood added: “It’s a huge honour to represent the BSMGP artists and to exhibit this installation within the historic setting of the Red House Glass Cone — a site that carries so much of Britain’s glassmaking heritage.

"Each artist has brought their own vision and technique to the work, resulting in panels that are truly one of a kind. Working with Elliot to help revive the lost art of blown sheet glass in the UK has been an incredible privilege.

"To see this traditional craft return to life — and to be able to provide bespoke handmade glass for contemporary artists to create with — feels like a meaningful bridge between past and present.”

The exhibition featuring the current panels runs until January 2026 when a suite of new panels on a new theme will replace the existing ones and will be in situ until the end of March.