The Isle of Wight Glass Museum, situated at Arreton Barns, has celebrated its first anniversary.
The new attraction showcases the rich history of glassmaking on the Island and further afield too with around 1,100 exhibits on 2 floors. The museum has proven popular with tourists and locals alike, with around 5,000 visitors in the first year.
About two-thirds of the collection is of glass by Isle of Wight Studio Glass, made since the early 1970s. Their studio is situated next door to the museum and visitors can see glass being made by Timothy Harris and assistants. Other than contemporary glass made on the Isle of Wight there is a substantial collection of European Art Deco and Victorian glass too.
The exhibits consist largely of the private collection of Anton Doroszenko, the museum’s founder and director. The museum is entirely privately funded. He said:
“Rather than just be a hoarder, as many avid collectors are, I wanted to share the experience of the incredible variety and innovative design of glass with the general public”.
Employment has been created by the museum’s opening with 3 part-time employees working to keep the museum open 7 days a week throughout the year, except Christmas week.
Schools are beginning to recognise the educational value of the museum with Bembridge C of E Primary School the first to visit earlier this year.
More information can be found at https://www.isleofwightglassmuseum.org.uk/.
