Artists, glassmakers and enthusiasts from across the world are assembling in Stourbridge this Bank Holiday weekend for the International Festival of Glass.

The festival, which includes exhibits, lectures, demonstrations and workshops, has received £100,000 funding from Advantage West Midlands.

A packed crowd assembled at the Ruskin Glass Centre last night (August 21) for the 2008 British Glass Biennale – the official opening of the event.

The winner of the £8,000 prize was Tracy Nicholls, of Surrey, for her lead crystal, open cast piece titled Orphica II.

“I’m overwhelmed and really didn’t expect to win, especially when you look at the amazing talent gathered here,” she said.

A regional winner was Tim Boswell, of Brierley Hill, who landed the student prize.

Dr Richard Hutchins, corporate director of development at Advantage West Midlands told the packed exhibition room that the Agency was providing £9m funding for a redevelopment of the site.

The Glasshouse project will create jobs and businesses; training courses at the Glasshouse College and a visitor attraction with a viewing gallery, heritage trail and café.

Twenty four new and refurbished specialist business units are being built which can be rented by the hour by glassworkers and artists.

The brown-field site development will create around 30 new jobs as well as attracting businesses to the town.

Work will begin in the summer of 2009 and is expected to be completed by autumn 2011.

Dr Hutchins said the funding for the Ruskin Glass Centre site in Wollaston Road, Stourbridge, would create jobs and help to develop skills in the Black Country.

“This investment is about creating jobs and opportunities in Stourbridge,” he said.

“We have low levels of self employment and skills in the Black Country so this development will be a key factor in addressing these issues.

“The Glasshouse will increase jobs creating wealth for the Black Country economy, while improving the quality of life of people living and working in the region.”

Stourbridge MP Lynda Waltho said the Glasshouse Development would provide jobs and much-needed training opportunities.

The Festival includes master classes and workshops and features works from world-renowned artists.

The programme’s highlights include a talk about Tutankhamen’s glass scarab from American scientist Dr Mark Boslough and a presentation on stained glass window makers of the West Midlands.

For further information visit www.ifg.org.uk