Ausglass (The Australian Association of Glass Artists) is the central national organization dedicated to encouraging diversity, dialogue, and excellence in Australian contemporary glass. Its foundation in the late 1970s was a direct response to the flourishing global studio craft movement and the isolated nature of glass practice across Australia.

Founding and Early Years

‍The association was established following the first National Glass Conference held at the Sydney College of the Arts in December 1978. This meeting of about 50 practitioners aimed to address the critical need for communication and the free interchange of information among artists.

The organization initially went by the working title PIG (People in Glass), before officially becoming Ausglas and then, in 1981, Ausglass. Early activities focused on communication through regular newsletters and, most critically, the organization of a biennial national conference. These conferences quickly became the primary opportunity for glass artists, educators, and collectors to meet, exchange ideas, and participate in demonstrations and exhibitions.

Evolution and Stability

‍For its first two decades, the administration of Ausglass was managed by an executive committee that typically rotated between different Australian states every two years following a conference. While this shared the workload, the frequent transfer of management proved challenging and sometimes led to administrative difficulties.

A significant shift occurred in 1999 when Ausglass transitioned from an affiliation of state-based organizations to a non-profit company limited by guarantee with a national, elected Board of Directors. This change provided a more professional, stable, and nationally focused management structure, with directors serving three-year terms.

Over time, communication has also evolved, moving from original typewritten and printed newsletters in 1979 to high-quality magazines and eventually embracing digital technology for e-magazines, email bulletins, and social media, ensuring information dissemination remains swift and cost-effective across the country.

Today, Ausglass continues its core mission by hosting its biennial conferences, providing a platform for dialogue, recognising excellence through awards (such as the Vicki Torr Memorial Prize), and serving as a resilient resource that connects and supports the diverse community of Australian glass artists.

These resources were put together to celebrate Ausglass history for the 2023 conference.

Ausglass: and its 'Futures Past'

Futures Past: in Australian Studio Glass