This summer there are more than 70 chances to discover the magic of glass in’ Glass Games 2012,’ a nationwide Olympic-inspired programme of events that celebrates the skills of glass artists.

From 01 June to 30 September 2012, there will be exhibitions, tours, workshops, have-a-go sessions and more in a packed programme of glass-related events, brought together by The Contemporary Glass Society (CGS). 

Scottish Highlights of the Glass Games 2012 include The Thread across the Sea at the Scottish Fisheries Museum in Fife, from June 1 to July 27. The exhibition is a series of site-specific installations by Keiko Mukaide and Jeanette Sendler, which connects Scottish and Japanese fishing communities to reflect on the 2011 Tsunami disaster. 

Near Castle Douglas, you can take part in a glass noughts and crosses tournament and view stained glass at artist Caro Barlow’s Glenshinnoch studio.

Torcher Tailor: the Torcher Chamber Arkestra will be creating a performance at the International Festival of Glass, combining fire, glass, music, dance and explosives – literally exploding notions of what flameworked glass can be. Torcher Chamber Arkestra was founded in 2010 by Scottish based maker Carrie Fertig.

As well as glass events all over the UK, seven major venues will be linked in a relay based on the Olympic torch relay. A stunning glass baton, commissioned by the CGS from artist Bruce Marks, will start its journey at the Contemporary Glass Society’s world-class exhibition, Glass Games; a desire, a dream, a vision. From there, it will head to the National Glass Centre in Sunderland, and on to venues in England and Wales before visiting the International Festival of Glass for Medallions, an artist’s-eye take on the Olympic medal. The glass baton will end its journey in Scotland at North Lands Creative Glass in Lybster, a small fishing village on the North East Coast.

The centrepiece of the Glass Games programme is be a world-class exhibition at The Gallery in Redchurch Street, close to the Olympic venues in London, which will bring together the very best in contemporary glass art and design. Glass Games 2012: a desire, a dream, a vision, includes work by Scottish based makers Rachel Elliott, Siobhan Healy and Keiko Mukaide.

The Glass Games 2012 festival, supported by supported by a National Lottery grant from Arts Council England, aims to bring the artistry, innovation and sheer brilliance of glass to more people than ever before.

For more information about Glass Games 2012, visit the Contemporary Glass Society website.

Images: Glass Baton by Bruce Mark, image Ester Segarra

Space Bug by Siobhan Healy