Call for Entries: British stained- and painted-glass awards seek submissions

Alison Gilchrist, a winner of the 2008 Ashton Hill Award, cleans a panel at Barley Studio. courtesy: Barley Studio

The Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass is now accepting applications for three work placement awards: the Award for Excellence and two Ashton Hill Awards. The Award for Excellence is a 40-week work experience program open to stained glass graduates or those with significant studio training. The award typically includes placements in European studios and is designed to encourage the development of practice skills by working under the guidance of established professional designers and makers, conservators, and craftsmen. The Ashton Hill Award places two recent graduates, prominent trainees, or individuals interested in working in the stained glass field in a studio for ten weeks. All three winners can tailor the award to best fit their interests, such as traditional and contemporary design, painting, staining, enameling, conservation, protective glazing methods, acid etching, and screenprinting.

Self Portrait by Joanna Dover, winner of the 1998 Award for Excellence

The Award for Excellence is open to individuals who completed their training within the last five years and intend to pursue a long-term career in stained glass, preferably in the United Kingdom. A representative of the Glaziers’ Company will assist the winner with planning the logistics of the award, including placements and accommodations. The Glaziers’ Company provides a stipend of up to £250 per week and pays for a one-year subscription to the British Society of Master Glass Painters. Applicants must submit a C.V., illustrations and notes on previous works, a note on their future plans in the field, a completed “Training Programme” form, and a recommendation from a professor or established stained glass artist.

Four Studies from the Drawings of Leonardo da Vinci, a stained glass panel by Michael Stokes, winner of a 2006 Ashton Hill Award

Unlike the Award for Excellence, the Ashton Hill Award is open only to residents of or individuals working in the United Kingdom. Experience in glass painting or conservation carries less weight than an applicant’s interest in and commitment to learning about stained glass. Winners will work in top-notch studios under the supervision of professionals and receive a £2500 stipend for the duration of their placement. To apply, candidates must submit a C.V., illustrations and notes on previous glass or conservation work, a completed “Training Programme” form, and a recommendation from a professor or established stained glass conservator or artist.

Completed applications must be received by Friday, April 1, 2011. They should be mailed to:

The Clerk
The Glaziers’ Company
Glaziers’ Hall
9 Montague Close
LONDON
SE1 9DD

Short-listed candidates will be invited to an in-person interview Tuesday, April 12. The Glaziers’ Company will announce the winners on Wednesday, May 4. Visit the Competition and Awards page for more information.

—Grace Duggan