The 34th Niijima International Glass Festival

The 34th Niijima Glass Festival was held from October 16 to 22. Please see this page for photos and videos.

Niijima Glass Art Center

Located 160 kilometers south of Tokyo, Niijima is a picturesque island known for its stunning contrast of azure sea and white sandy beaches. One of its distinctive features is the volcanic rock called "Kasekki" or fireproof stone, composed mostly of quartz, which serves as the raw material for Niijima glass. This volcanic stone, with its iron content, naturally produces olive-colored glass.

Established in 1988, the Niijima Glass Art Center aims to utilize Niijima glass as a versatile resource for tourism and artistic endeavors through development and education. Offering workshops and art production, the center provides a platform for talent cultivation and international exchange.

Annually, the center hosts the Niijima International Glass Art Festival, inviting artists from abroad to conduct workshops, open demonstrations, and lectures. Celebrating its 31st year, the festival attracts participants not only from across Japan but also from distant shores, making it an exciting and essential event in the world of glass art.

Niijima Glass Art Museum

Niijima Glass Art Museum focuses on contemporary glass art. Our collections are mainly the works of artists who visited Niijima in the workshop. You can see some of the exhibits here.

Youtube videos

We have uploaded the video from the 2023 festival on youtube.

Niijima scholarship

We're excited to announce the winners of the 34th Niijima Scholarship:

Mr. Lee Min Gul
Workshop 1 student (Selected by: Mr. William Gudenrath, Instructor
Summer 2024 Pilchuck Glass School 12-day workshop)

Ms. Minori Okuyama
Workshop 2 student (Selected by: Mr. Kentaro Yanagi, Instructor
Summer 2024 Corning Glass Studio 1 Week Workshop)

The Niijima Scholarship offers outstanding festival workshop students the chance to attend U.S. workshops for further glass training. The recipients, selected by instructors, will attend workshops in Summer 2024.

The scholarship, funded through a glass auction and partner scholarships from Pilchuck School and from Corning Glass Studio, covers tuition and accommodation except the travel expenses. The recipients are expected to give lectures during the next year's festival. To date, we've awarded the Niijima Scholarship to 83 individuals. Thanks to all who supported the auction!

Video of the Festival by B.P.G.

The Bangkok Public Glass Company made the videos of interview with Mr.CHATTAKAN VONGSIRI about his experience at the Niijima Glass Festival. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FieoSzwx6pk
The link to the first international glass festival in Thailand is here. From the Niijima Glass Art Center, Yumiko Noda and Osamu Noda were invited. We made a report site from the festival.

Social Networks

・We have uploaded past glass art festival records to youtube
・Our Facebook page is here
・Our Instagram page is here