International Glass Bead Competition -My Bead for Venice

Your bead for Venice

Open Call: International Glass Bead Competition

The Committee for the Safeguard of the Art of Venetian Glass Beads and the International Society of Glass Beadmakers (ISGB) present the International Glass Bead Competition dedicated to the Art of the Traditional Venetian Glass Beadmaking. The selected beads will be showcased at the Glass Museum of Murano, and this exhibit will be part of the Official Venice Glass Week 2023. Venice Glass Week is from September 9 to 17, 2023.

Venetian techniques and Venetian inspiration

Obviously, Venice has a long and impressive history in the development of glass art in general and glass beads in particular. For this competition we are looking for glass beads that are either made by traditional Venetian techniques  or are inspired by Venetian techniques and styles. Applicable genres include lampwork beads, beads created from hollow canes and blown beads. Examples of traditional Venetian techniques are the use of murrine, the use of aventurine glass, stringerwork, drawn chevron beads, beads created at the end of a blowpipe at the torch, etc. It must be clear where the inspiration came from.

How to enter?

You can enter a bead or a set of beads for the competition by using the online application form HERE. You can read all the details of the competition HERE You can only enter the competition once. Up to 5 images per entry can be submitted. The entries should be single beads or a small set of beads, but no finished jewellery. The beads need to fit in a 7 by 7 inch area.

There is a $20 fee to enter your bead in the competition ($15 for current ISGB members)

The deadline is April 23, 11:55pm CT.  April of 2023 the selection of up to 20 beads will be announced and they will be part of the showcase at the Murano Glass Museum. The selected applicants are responsible for shipping the bead to Venice before September 1st so they will be in time for Venice Glass Week. The opening of the exhibit will be on September 9, 2023. All applications will have the opportunity to donate their bead to the Murano Museum which will make them part of the permanent collection of the museum.

Jury and criteria

The judging for the first selection of up to 20 beads will be done based on photos. 

The criteria for judging are:

• Connection to traditional Venetian glass bead making techniques and/or styles
• Overall quality of the bead
• Technique and skill shown
• Color use
• Attention to detail
• Artist’s description

During the exhibit, a jury will judge the beads in person and choose a 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize winner. There will also be public vote for visitors of the museum. The winners will be announced during the event in Venice.

If you have any questions, please contact education@isgb.org