Glass Safari 2026 unites local and international artists in celebration of Southern African glass

Co-founded and co-hosted by the Tshwane University of Technology, Glass Safari is an international biennial exchange that unites artists, educators, students, industry professionals and communities to advance glass as a transformative artistic and educational medium. Taking place from 8 – 25 July, the initiative strengthens Southern Africa's creative ecosystem while forging meaningful international partnerships that position the region as a vital hub for glass innovation and sustainability.

Caitlin Greenberg The idea for Glass Safari grew from conversations within the Southern African glass community and gained momentum during the International Year of Glass in 2022. It was driven by a shared vision to expand opportunities for African glass artists, encourage international knowledge exchange and position African glass on the global stage.

That vision became a reality in July 2024 with the inaugural Glass Safari. Despite receiving no external funding, international artists travelled from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Kenya and the Czech Republic to collaborate with local artists, TUT students and industry partners. The success of the project demonstrated the value of international exchange and highlighted the need for a sustainable organisation to support its future growth. This led to the establishment of the Moya African Glass Network (MAGN) in 2025, with Glass Safari becoming its flagship biennial programme.

MAGN's mission is to build a thriving African glass community by connecting artists, collectors and enthusiasts while promoting education, sustainability, resource sharing, youth development and international collaboration. Glass Safari is the practical expression of this vision, creating opportunities that strengthen both the creative and educational glass sectors across Southern Africa.

With partial funding from the National Arts Council (NAC), Glass Safari 2026 brings together an outstanding team of international glass artists, educators and practitioners from Australia (Tim Shaw), Belgium (Frederik Rombach), the United Kingdom (James Devereux, Katherine Huskie and Edmond Byrne) and the United States (Lancelot Fraser and Rob Stern) as well as the incredible Southern African glass team.

Edmond Byrne Working alongside local artists, the Ngwenya Glass team, staff from the TUT Glass Studio, Smelt Glass Studio and emerging student artists, the programme creates an environment where knowledge, technical skills, ideas and cultures are shared through making. Every participant contributes equally to the exchange, reinforcing Glass Safari’s belief that collaboration is one of the strongest catalysts for innovation, education and community building.

Caitlin Greenberg, Section Head of Fine and Applied Arts in the Department of Fine and Studio Arts at TUT, is the co-founder and Project Director of Glass Safari

THE PROGRAMME INCLUDES:

Smelt glass workshop (8 – 10 July): A masterclass celebrating craftsmanship, technical excellence and the exchange of specialist knowledge with David Reade and local glass artists and designers.

30 Years of glass at TUT (11 July): A celebration recognising three decades of glass education within the Fine and Applied Arts programme at TUT. This event is open to public with limited space available. Be sure to book and not miss out on a live demonstration by David Reade.

Ngwenya glass collaborative week (13 – 17 July): International guests, Ngwenya Glass artisans and TUT students from Glass and Interior Design collaborate on innovative lighting designs while exploring sustainable production using recycled glass.

Ngwenya gala evening (17 July): Come witness molten glass transform in front of your eyes with a dining experience on the Ngwenya glass factory floor with international glass artists and glass collectors from around Southern Africa. Limited space available.  

TUT collaborative studio week (20 – 24 July): Students team up and work alongside the international glass artists to develop new collaborative artworks, with a public Spotlight Studio Tour on 20 July providing visitors with insight into the creative process. Daily artist talks from 16:00 –16:30 are open to all TUT staff and students which will take place at the Glass Studio on the Arts Campus. 

ARTIST TALK LINE UP

20 July – Edmond Byrne  

21 July – Katherine Huskie 

22 July – Lancelot Fraser

23 July – Frederick Rombach

James Devereux PHOTO: Josh Linfitt Glass Safari exhibition (25 July – 15 August): A public exhibition showcasing work produced throughout the project, live hot glass demonstrations, the inaugural collaborative project between TUT and De Montfort University and the launch of the TUT–MAGN Glass Safari collection through donated works by participating international artists. Ensure you do not miss the opening of this public event at the Association of Arts, Pretoria on 25 July from 11:00 – 13:00. 

Glass Safari is more than a festival. It is an investment in the future of African glass. By connecting education, industry and international practice, the project creates opportunities for students, supports professional development, encourages sustainable making and builds lasting global relationships. Through collaboration and shared knowledge, Glass Safari continues to position Southern Africa as an important and recognised contributor to the international contemporary glass community.

MEET THE GLASS SAFARI 2026 PARTICIPANTS

All participants contribute equally to Glass Safari 2026 through collaboration, knowledge exchange and shared making across the programme.

International artists & practitioners

James Devereux (United Kingdom)

A contemporary glass artist and active member of the Glass Art Society (GAS), Devereux is recognised for his technical skill in hot glass sculpting and his commitment to sharing knowledge within international glass communities.

Katherine Huskie (United Kingdom)

A multidisciplinary glass artist working across multiple glass techniques, with a strong focus on glass blowing and flame-working. Her practice is rooted in creating works of art that draw the viewer in. She is passionate about skill-sharing and technical development within studio environments.

Lancelot Fraser Frederik Rombach (Belgium/South Africa)

An artist working with post-consumer glass, exploring sustainability, material reuse and environmental awareness through contemporary glass practice.

Lancelot Fraser (United States)

A hot glass sculptor whose work explores water systems, water scarcity and their wider environmental impact. His practice also addresses issues of pollution, incorporating single-use plastics following his water bottle project. He combines conceptual research with strong technical skill in hot glass sculpting within collaborative studio environments.

Rob Stern (United States)

Known for large-scale collaborative glass works, Stern’s practice emphasises teamwork, technical precision and high-energy studio production environments. He is also recognised for his appearance on the Netflix glassmaking competition series Blown Away, bringing international visibility to contemporary glass practice while continuing to champion collaboration and technical excellence within the studio.

Tim Shaw Tim Shaw (Australia)

An established glass artist with long-standing engagement in collaborative teaching environments, Shaw is recognised for his contributions to workshop-based knowledge exchange in glass studios.

Edmond Byrne (Ireland/United Kingdom)

A glass artist and educator with an experimental approach to process and making that explores tactility, colour psychology, sustainability and digital craft. He has a Master’s degree from the Royal College of Art, Ceramics and Glass.

David Reade (South Africa/United Kingdom)

A pioneering figure in South African studio glass, Reade has played a foundational role in the development of hot glass in the country and remains active in mentorship and technical knowledge exchange.

LOCAL & INSTITUTIONAL COLLABORATORS

Ngwenya glass team (Eswatini)

Established in 1979, Ngwenya Glass has become a cornerstone of the Southern African glass community, renowned for its commitment to recycled glass production, skills development and artistic excellence. During Glass Safari 2026, TUT students will have the opportunity to engage directly with this unique production environment and learn from experienced glassmakers and international artists.

Rob Stern Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) (South Africa)

The TUT Glass Studio is a leading centre for contemporary glass education in Southern Africa, fostering creativity, research, technical excellence and international engagement. Through its partnership with Glass Safari, the studio connects students with global practitioners while contributing to the growth and sustainability of glass practice across the region.

Smelt Glass Studio (South Africa) is run by Mike Hyam and Martli Jansen van Rensburg. This contemporary hot glass studio is dedicated to craftsmanship, education and creative collaboration. As the host of the opening Glass Safari workshop, Smelt Glass Studio provides an important platform for professional development, technical exchange and strengthening South Africa's studio glass community.

Full Circle (South Africa)

Full Circle Glass Co. (FCGC) is built on a simple idea: discarded glass deserves a second life. Founded by Lothar Böttcher, bottles become hand-formed drinking glasses, lighting elements and sculptural objects – made by hand, from waste. The focus is on democratising glassmaking through circular economy principles, using a gas-fired glory hole to soften glass for forming and an electric kiln for working and annealing. The goal is a fully off-grid setup running on gas and solar, freeing FCGC to work anywhere – schools, markets and public spaces – bringing the theatre of glassmaking directly to the public and making the principles of circular economy tangible.

FCGC will be at the Glass Safari exhibition opening at the Association of Arts, Pretoria on Saturday 25 July at 11:00.

Katherine Huskie Frederik Rombach