Introduction Myriam Knol – curator GLASS KINGDOM 2026
As curator, I have the honor of shaping Glasrijk Tubbergen 2026, in its 30th anniversary year! From my background as a visual artist, I have spent many years delving into industrial design and the artistic applications of glass.
What continues to fascinate me about it is the role that glass plays in our daily lives. It's ubiquitous and often taken for granted, yet at the same time, it's rich in possibilities and aesthetic qualities. In my work, I repeatedly experience the versatility and complexity of this material.
Glass surrounds us, protects, filters light, and at the same time offers space for refined and powerful forms of expression.
This fascination has led to the overarching theme that GLASRIJK will build upon in the coming years: The Power of Glass.
This theme refers not only to the intrinsic power of the material itself but also to the strength of the people who make GLASRIJK possible – artists, volunteers, sponsors, and entrepreneurs. Their engagement and dedication form the foundation of the event.
In 2026, drinking glass Central. This theme was deliberately chosen and offers multiple perspectives.
Drinking glass is glass that primarily fulfills a practical function in daily life – such as drinking glasses, tableware, or flat glass – but in which craftsmanship and design converge to give it an aesthetic and sometimes even museum-worthy significance. is affiliated with this versatility and artistic developmentThink of drinking glasses, carafes, tableware, packaging glass, windows, and other flat glass intended for use, storage, protection, or sealing.
In museum and art historical contexts, a distinction is often made between utility glass and art glassutility glass only gets an art status through design, quality, rarity, or historical significance, while art glass has been conceived as an artistic expression from the beginning.
Finally, there's the angle of the regional anchoring. By realizing presentations not only in Tubbergen, but also in the surrounding region, churches, and historical locations, drinking glass as an inspiring art form in a broader cultural and societal context posted.
My personal connection to Tubbergen is strong. My children were born here, and I was involved with GLASRIJK for many years, both as a participating artist and in a board role. This experience not only gives me a sense of belonging but also a deep insight into the significance of GLASRIJK for the community.
Met GLASS-KINGDOM-2026 I want to show, together with artists, the public, and volunteers, how relevant, versatile, and meaningful glass is – and how drinking glass in particular, is able to connect past and future, art and society in a self-evident and inspiring way.
Myriam joined the jury of the VVMG (Association for Modern Glass) annual object 2026 in May 2026. Their task is to choose their annual object for 2026.
She is also involved as an external juror in judging the theses of the IKA glass graduates in 2026. (IKA – Institute for Art and Craft in Mechelen (Belgium)). This is before and during the organized IKA Graduation Exhibition from June 12-21, 2026, in Ghent (Belgium).
