SÍM Gallery Highlights International Glowing Glacier Glass Festival in Reykjavik
The Association of Icelandic Visual Artists (SÍM Gallery) has shared details regarding the upcoming international glass art initiative, the Glóandi Jökull / Glowing Glacier Glass Festival. Set to run from June 24 to July 19, 2026, the festival transforms the community beneath Snæfellsjökull into a vibrant hub for contemporary glass art, featuring exhibitions, live glassblowing, workshops, and lectures across multiple venues.
Experiencing Contemporary Glass Art and Live Blowing
The festival's primary anchor is the Glowing Glacier group exhibition held in the Gamla leikfimissalnum in Hellissandur, curated by Bjarni Sigurbjörnsson. Visitors can explore works from an international roster of artists—including Carissa Baktay, Ólöf Einarsdóttir, Sigrún Einarsdóttir, Alison Lowry, Jonas Noel Niedermann, Nadja Recknagel, Brynhildur Þorgeirsdóttir, Michaela Trávníčková, Selina Amelie Weber, and Ida Wieth—showcasing the diverse material research and craftsmanship defining modern glass sculpture.
Alongside the main showcase, three solo exhibitions are hosted at distinct locations nearby: Fiona Byrne presents Returning the Skin at the Þjóðgarðsmiðstöðin, Laura Sonne Lund exhibits Echoes at Félagsmiðstöðin Afdrepi, and Louise Lang shares Fractures of Shadow at 3 Veggir / Himinbjörgum.
Beyond gallery spaces, daily open-air glassblowing takes place in Vöruhúsið, where artists such as Carissa Baktay, Anders Vange, and Jan Vyskocil work with hot glass using a mobile furnace. These live demonstrations and hands-on workshops offer audiences of all ages an up-close look at the intricate processes required to transform molten material into finished works of art. Further historical context and artist talks are hosted at venues like Bjarkey Bókakaffi, featuring lectures such as Sigrún Einarsdóttir’s presentation on the history of glass art in Iceland.
Supporting Specialized Craft and International Collaboration
As an international cooperative effort involving organizers from Iceland, Ireland, Switzerland, and Germany, the festival emphasizes the importance of specialized material knowledge and professional networks within craft disciplines. Supported by grants from organizations such as Nordic Culture Point and Culture Ireland, alongside national and regional partners, the initiative serves as an important platform for cultural exchange and visibility. Further details on the festival schedule can be found directly through the Glowing Glacier official website.
To discover more cultural exhibitions and spaces across the capital and beyond, visitors can explore upcoming events on what's on exhibitions, browse the full museums list, or plan a route using Musemap (musemap.art).
