OPENING: Holland’s oldest glass fair this weekend in Leerdam

The limited-edition production design of Ijstak (2011) by Jan-Willem van Zijst was commissioned by the organizers of the Leerdam Fair.

The International Glass Art Fair Leerdam, The Netherlands’ oldest glass art fair, celebrates its 23rd anniversary this weekend at the Vultureel Centrum Het Dak. The event, which usually draws around 4,500 glass art admirers from throughout Europe, will include over 100 stands featuring a range of glass art pieces and other glass objects. The fair promises to represent a wide range of schools and artistic time periods, including antique pieces along with modern work and Art Nouveau pieces sitting with postmodern pieces. Above all, though, this is a showcase of Dutch glass art and artists.

In fact, entrance to the festival will also include a free visit to Leerdam’s Glasblazerij (glassworks) located on the shores of the Linge river where visitors will be able to see glassblowing demonstrations and take tours of the glass factory. In addition, ticket holders will also get half-off admission to the newly renovated National Glass Museum.

One of the quirks that separates the International Glass Art Fair Leerdam from other glass art shows is their yearly series where a well-known artist is commissioned to design an object for the fair. These objects are made as limited edition pieces and available for purchase by fair attendees. This year’s special design comes courtesy of Belgium-based Dutch artist Jan-Willem van Zijst, who will also present a selection of his work in a special exposition. The event ends on Sunday, but not without one last special treat for fair-goers. For the first time in 17 years the fair will publish a full color fair catalog that can be purchased as a memento for those who miss out on a van Zijst piece.

- Jason Gutierrez