Word about the Festival is getting out online

The latest report on the Festival of Glass web site shows that it's becoming increasingly effective as the public face of the Festival.

There has been a steady increase in the number of visitors to the site and in the time they spend there. For example, in the last week there have been 268 visits - a 94% increase on this time last year; and those visits were by 199 individual users - a 74% increase on this time last year.

Not only does the web site now have a substantial following of returning visitors - it continues to attract new visitors, with 34% of the week's visitors being first-timers. Further, visitors now spend an average of 2.5 minutes at the site - an increase of 10% on this time last year. Of course, the web site has expanded considerably in the past year, making a visit even more rewarding!

The overwhelming majority - 94% - of visitors to the site are from Australia; and most of the remaining 6% are from the USA. So there's work to do to promote the Festival internationally! 

Finally, while the great majority of visitors come directly to the Festival web site, 21% come via Facebook and a small percentage come via Festival exhibitors' web sites and from Mailchimp (probably as a result of the Mailchimp-based 'Friends of the Festival' newsletter).

2016 Festival workshops will boost local glass artists

The 2016 Festival of Glass will feature workshops for everyone from beginners to professionals.

Details of each workshop can be found at the Festival web site (www.festivalofglass.net.au).

FOR BEGINNERS
Sunday 14 February. Appraisal & evaluation of historic glass bottles. Paul & David Bruce. Old Court House Museum, 11 High St Drysdale. No booking needed. Free.
 
Saturday 20 February. 10.00am - 2.30pm. It's Your Turn: Lampworking & glass blowing. Peter Minson & Mark Eliott. Senior Citizens Centre, Drysdale. Book via Senior Citizens Centre. Free.
 
Monday 22 February. 9.00am - 4.30pm. Glass Flamework Sculpture (1 day). Peter Minson & Mark Eliott. 42-44 Buccleugh Street, Drysdale. Book via markeliottglass@gmail.com (0411 767 346). $290.00.
 
Friday 26 February. 10.00am - 2.30pm. It's Your Turn: Lampworking & glass blowing. Peter Minson & Mark Eliott. Venue TBA, Drysdale. Book via venue. Free.
 
Saturday 27 February. Beadweaving for Beginners: Crystal bling bracelet. Glenda MacNaughton. Bead Art Studio, 164 Wyndham Street, Drysdale. No booking required. $40.00.

FOR THE MORE EXPERIENCED
Monday 22 February. 10.00am - 5.00pm. Contemporary Floral Pendant (Flamework and Jewellery). Jennie Merritt. Totally Shattered Glass Studio, Queenscliff - Portarlington Road, Point Lonsdale. $250.00. Book via jenniemerrittdesigns@gmail.com (0415 049 330)
 
Tuesday 23 - Thursday 25 February. 9.00am - 4.30pm. Glass Flamework Sculpture (3 day). Peter Minson & Mark Eliott. 42-44 Buccleugh Street, Drysdale. Book via markeliottglass@gmail.com (0411 767 346). $790.00.
 
5 March. 2.00 - 5.00pm. Chrysler Beaded Bead. Janet Jenkin. Dax Bead Art Studio, 164 Wyndham Street, Drysdale. No booking required. $40.00. (Kits: $7.00, $6.50)

Blending art and commerce

On Wednesday 16 December, Drysdale's business and glass art communities came together for the first time. The occasion was an exclusive Preview of a glass art Treasure Hunt that will be a feature of the 2016 Festival of Glass.

Business people and artists at the Preview

At the Preview, at the Dax Design studio in Drysdale, local business people saw pieces of glass art that they have commissioned and met some of the local glass artists who created them.

The commissioned pieces will be the prizes in a glass art Treasure Hunt - a feature of the sixth Festival of Glass in February 2016. 

Also on display were some of the glass ‘Tiny Treasures’ that will be clues in the Treasure Hunt.

Glass T-Bone Tiny Treasure

How will the Treasure Hunt work?

From early February, each business will display its piece of glass art, together with its ‘Tiny Treasure’ for treasure hunters to spot. The Treasure Hunt will culminate in a draw for dozens of pieces of glass art at the Festival Expo on 21 February at Christian College, Drysdale.

Festival of Glass convenor Doug Carson said, “The glass art Treasure Hunt is a novel blend of art and commerce. It’s a way for local businesses to be involved with the Festival and to benefit from it. The response has been excellent, with twenty local businesses involved so far. We hope that tonight’s Preview is just the start of a strong and mutually-beneficial relationship between the Festival and local businesses.”

Drysdale businesses preview their glass art

At an exclusive Preview on December 16, businesses in the Drysdale area will get their first glimpse of pieces of glass art that they have commissioned from local glass artists.

The commissioned pieces will be the prizes in a glass art Treasure Hunt that will be a feature of the sixth Festival of Glass in February 2016. In early February, the businesses will display their pieces of glass art at their premises, together with some glass ‘Tiny Treasures’ – clues in the Treasure Hunt. The Treasure Hunt will culminate in a draw for the commissioned glass art at the Festival Expo on 21 February at Christian College, Drysdale.

Festival convenor Doug Carson said, “The Treasure Hunt is an innovative blend of art and commerce, so we’re very pleased that so many businesses are participating in it. It’s really boosted business involvement in the Festival of Glass, as well as promoting the work of local glass artists and growing the area's reputation as a centre of glass-related activities.”