Delighted to have joined The Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers . Here is the update
The Cockpit Experience
Strengthening Our Ongoing Partnership with Makers and the Future of Glass
Members of the Company and guests were welcomed recently to The Cockpit Experience, an inspiring insight into the studios, makers, and creative energy that define Cockpit Bloomsbury. As one of London’s leading incubators for independent craftspeople, Cockpit continues to play a vital role in sustaining the skills and disciplines that lie at the heart of our Livery’s heritage.
The visit offered a timely reminder of the deep and continuing relationship between Cockpit, the glass artists who work there, and The Glass Sellers Charity. Each year, the Charity strengthens this partnership by providing The Glass Sellers Bursary, 50% funding towards the cost of a Cockpit studio space for a glass artist in their first year, giving an emerging maker the stability and environment they need to establish their practice. This long‑standing commitment has helped multiple artists take their first professional steps within Cockpit’s creative community, and the impact of that support was evident throughout the studios — in the confidence of the makers, the quality of their work, and the vibrancy of the craft ecosystem that Cockpit sustains.
Artisan Freeman – Helen Brough
A Testament to Craft, Innovation, and Artistic Vision
Among the many exceptional makers encountered during the visit, Helen Broughoffered a particularly compelling insight into contemporary glass practice. Her work — defined by its architectural precision, luminous colour, and sculptural interplay with light — exemplifies the kind of innovation that Cockpit nurtures and the kind of excellence the Glass Sellers Charity seeks to champion.
Viewing her pieces within the working environment of her studio provided a deeper appreciation of the discipline, experimentation, and creative rigour behind each finished work. Artists like Helen demonstrate why the Charity’s continuing relationship with Cockpit is so valuable: their work pushes the boundaries of the material while honouring its traditions, ensuring that glass remains a vibrant and evolving art form.
Shared Purpose and Long‑Term Partnership
The alignment between Cockpit and the Glass Sellers Charity is clear and enduring. Both organisations champion:
Craft excellence and the highest standards of workmanship
Education and opportunity for emerging makers
Innovation within traditional materials
The preservation of specialist skills
Our annual studio‑funding contribution is a cornerstone of this partnership, but the relationship extends far beyond a single grant. It is a shared commitment to sustaining the craft ecosystem, supporting the next generation of glass artists, and ensuring that the skills central to our Livery’s history continue to thrive in the modern world.
Looking Forward
The Cockpit Experience reaffirmed the importance of this ongoing collaboration. It highlighted the value of long‑term support, the impact of sustained investment in makers, and the opportunities for future engagement between the Company, the Charity, and Cockpit’s community of artists.
As we look ahead, the relationship between Cockpit, the glass artists it nurtures, and The Glass Sellers Charity remains a vital part of our mission — ensuring that the craft of glass continues to evolve, inspire, and enrich the cultural life of the City and beyond.
