@ The Glass Works

Barnsley Museums’ twelve-month residency at The Glass Works came to an end on 6 January 2023, with the project being hailed as a huge hit with residents and visitors.

The project was successful in redefining the high street’s future and was extremely popular, attracting over thirty thousand people from around the region. 

Exclusive exhibitions by artist such as Graham Ibbeson, who showcased his iconic sculptures for the first time in the display ‘Casting Characters’, attracted new and diverse audiences and the digital space was an opportunity for young people to experiment and explore new technologies. 

The three units were a unique opportunity to take culture out of traditional settings and bring it into the heart of Barnsley’s Town Centre.  The temporary pop-up spaces highlighted the importance of cultural experiences in making a vibrant and bustling town centre as well as having had positive impacts on wellbeing. 

The final months of the project brought exciting displays to the town centre, including Brick by Brick, a 20-21 Visual Arts Centre Touring Exhibition by LEGO®. As part of the exhibition there were LEGO® masterclasses, family workshops, and trails for people to enjoy.

Barnsley Museums continues to contribute to the high quality and varied cultural offer of the town centre through our permanent venues Experience Barnsley Museum and the Cooper Gallery, and look forward to new and exciting opportunities to showcase the role of culture across the Borough in the future.

You can find out more about what is happening at Barnsley Museums.

The Glass Works continues to thrive and Barnsley Council works with local partners to ensure that they provide an appropriately mixed economy of retail, hospitality and leisure in the town centre in the future.