Top glass artist to exhibit at new Stourbridge Glass Museum

Vanessa Cutler’s Journeys and Horizons exhibition can be seen at the museum, in Camp Hill, Wordsley, which will open its doors to the public from Saturday April 9.

Inspired by daily coastal walks during lockdown, Vanessa – who exhibits around the world - specialises in digital and abrasive water-jet cutting to produce her work which depicts the process of arriving at new beginnings.

Pieces by Vanessa Cutler

Museum director Ollie Buckley said: “Vanessa Cutler is a hugely respected UK artist and her creativity and expertise are celebrated internationally.

“We’re delighted that she has chosen to support Stourbridge Glass Museum as our inaugural artist, setting the tone and quality of displays for years to come.”

The new museum has been made possible thanks to work by the British Glass Foundation and support from site owners Complex Development Projects Ltd, Dudley Council, the European Regional Development Fund and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The new Stourbridge Glass Museum

Robyn Llewellyn, from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “I am especially excited that the museum will bring to life the region’s important glassmaking heritage whilst championing contemporary British artists, and it’s great that communities in Stourbridge and the wider region will be able to enjoy Vanessa Cutler’s work.”

Vanessa, who runs product design/design engineering courses at Chichester University, said she was "delighted" to be the museum's first visiting exhibitor and added: "I’m very much looking forward to engaging visitors to this fantastic new museum with Journeys and Horizons.”

Vanessa Cutler - Buoys

Using modern techniques, machinery and software, Vanessa is able to produce forms considered impossible with yesteryear’s technology.

In 2021 she was awarded her second professorship by Chichester University, West Sussex, having previously been Professor of Glass at UWTSD, Swansea.