Peter Layton is a familiar and respected figure in the international glassworld. Not just for his work – which has always been innovative and thoughtful, attempting to bridge traditional and contemporary values, but also for his inestimable contribution to the development of the glass scene. There is little doubt that his energy in setting up schemes and workshops, organising seminars and exhibitions encouraging and mentoring others, as well as making a mark on international glass art, has done more than most to advance the cause of studio glass in this country.

It is 30 years since he established London Glassblowing Workshop beside the Thames in Rotherhithe (the workshop moved to its present venue in the Leathermarket near London Bridge in 1995), which makes it one of the first hot glass studios in Europe.

London Glassblowing Workshop is celebrating its remarkable longevity with a national touring exhibition to be launched during the International Festival of Glass.

Frequently described as a master of colour, Peter Layton has included significant new free blown works that illustrate an abstract painterly approach with asymmetric forms that emphasise their striking colours and visual textures. Also on show will be new installations commenting on the precarious nature of life, society’s drive towards disintegration. His talented co-workers at London Glassblowing Workshop, Sabrina Cant, Marie Worre Hastrup Holm, Bruce Marks, Simon Moss, Yoshiko Okada, Layne Rowe, Anthony Scala, Lucy Swift and Louis Thompson will also be exhibiting an exciting and diverse range of works in glass incorporating casting, cutting and assemblage processes as well as glassblowing.