EXHIBITIONS

British Society of Master Glass Painters Centenary Exhibition

17 September – 31 October 2021
Free entry to exhibition in South-West Transept, Ely Cathedral

This touring exhibition of stained glass panels celebrates the Centenary of the British Society of Master Glass Painters (BSMGP), founded in 1921. Members of the society were asked to create a new exhibition panel measuring 30cm x 30cm on any theme of their choice.

Over 80 artists from across the UK and overseas contributed to the exhibition. This collection of artworks, created especially for their centenary year, celebrates the unique art of glass. The panels have been created using both traditional and modern glass techniques, demonstrating the extraordinary range of stained glass currently practiced. The artists explore a variety of subjects with a few recurring themes, such as the environment, the pandemic and the beauty of nature. The exhibition builds a fascinating insight into the concerns of glass artists a hundred years after the society was established to help stained glass remain relevant.

The Stained Glass Museum in collaboration with Ely Cathedral will launch the Centenary tour. Selected works will be on display in the south-west transept of Ely Cathedral, by the entrance to the museum between 17 September and 31 October 2021. Entry to the exhibition is free.

Founded in 1921, the British Society of Master Glass Painters is the UK's only organisation devoted exclusively to the art and craft of stained glass. Membership is open to everyone and they offer a professional qualification for accredited Associates and Fellows of the society.
All the panels submitted to the Centenary Exhibition can be seen online via the BSMGP's Virtual Gallery

Tinker, Tailor... new works by Rachel Milligan inspired by covid-19

Until 25 August 2021

This new series of work by stained glass artist Rachel Mulligan was inspired by the old fortune-telling rhyme Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor, rich man, poor man, beggar man or thief?

During Lockdown Rachel was reminded of two sketches she had made almost 20 years ago of stained glass panels illustrating Tailor and Soldier. She posted the sketches on Instagram and discovered they were made in the 1930s by Charles Paine and Daisy Luther and that panels illustrating Tinker and Sailor also existed. While sketching them Rachel began thinking about how the theme could be retold with a contemporary twist to reflect the tremendous effort of the community during the Covid crisis. From the building of the Nightingale hospitals to the cleaners in care homes, and from Thursday night clapping to supporting those people who suddenly had no income, the eight panels reflect daily life in 2020.

Rachel is inspired by Medieval art and storytelling. Her work is usually very detailed but in these panels she was emulating the pared back, graphic style of the 1930’s originals. During the summer she travelled to Lamberts in Germany so she could select the right mouth-blown glass for the project. The glass has been engraved, painted and stained. Having finished work on the stained glass Rachel then revisited her printmaking past and turned the designs into a series of linocuts, the first she has made in 25 years. Rachel is delighted to be showcasing the new work at the Stained Glass Museum in Ely. It is an inspiring place to visit with so many beautiful and historic panels housed in a stunning location.

Previous Exhibitions