An acclaimed touring exhibition “Inspired by William Morris” is a vibrant showcase of contemporary stained glass art that pays homage to the legendary designer, writer, and social reformer William Morris.

Organised by the British Society of Master Glass Painters (BSMGP), the exhibition features 24 stunning panels selected from an open call to artists across the UK. Each piece is a unique interpretation of Morris’s creative, social, and intellectual legacy, reflecting themes from his iconic textile designs to his radical political ideals.

Bethany Wood and Elliot Walker who run Blowfish Glass based at the cone, have been instrumental in bringing this exhibition to the site. While both are professional glass artists working primarily with blown glass (Bethany) and molten glass (Eliott), Elliot has brought the extinct craft of blown sheet glass making back to the UK. He trained with Fremont Antique Glass and Monarch Glass Studio in the United States to master the technique, before coming back to offer small batches of artisan glass to stained glass craftspeople and conservators. His contemporary interpretation of the traditional sheet glass making technique produces glass which is highly sought after by those working with stained glass.

He has developed his approach further, bringing stained glass artists and glass blowers together. His bespoke sheet glass initiative creates innovative, rare, and custom-made sheet glass - designed with direct input from stained glass artists - opening new possibilities for remarkable stained glass work. As part of the exhibition, a sold-out series of engaging workshops and live demonstrations with Elliot will run at the end of November.

The “Inspired by William Morris” panels are mounted in a beautifully backlit double-sided frame. Visitors will experience a diverse range of stained glass techniques - from traditional leaded panels to experimental fused glass - demonstrating the enduring relevance of Morris’s vision in today’s artistic landscape.

All works are available for purchase, with proceeds supporting the artists and the BSMGP’s mission to preserve and promote stained glass craftsmanship.

The exhibition featuring the current panels runs until January 2026 when a suite of new panels on a new theme will replace the existing ones and will be in situ until the end of March.

The exhibition launched at the International Festival of Glass in August 2024 and has since toured prestigious venues including the Stained Glass Museum in Ely, Rochdale Town Hall, Ripon Cathedral and now, the Red House Glass Cone.

You can view all the panels in the online exhibition at bsmgp.org.uk/news-events/events/exhibition-inspired-by-william-morris/.