STRASBOURG.- For its third edition, "Strasbourg, Glass Capital" becomes the "International Glass Bienniale". With more than 50 000 visitors in 2007, this event has become an unavoidable rendez-vous for amateurs of glass.

While the use of the medium glass by the artists is booming, the International Glass Bienniale 2009, which presents 14 exhibitions in and around the city of Strasbourg, turns determinedly to contemporary art with artists such as Yves Chaudouet, Rachel Maisonneuve or Jean-Pierre Umbdenstock.

This event, initiated by ESGAA (European Studio Glass Art Association), presents the works of artists using glass as the main medium or sometimes associated with stone, metal has or other materials.

The second big novelty of 2009 resides in the first edition of the International Strasbourg Glass Prize. This prize aims at rewarding artists working the glass themselves. It has attracted more than 90 participants from Europe, Africa, America or Asia. The work of the prize-winner, Nicolas Morin, was rewarded among 130 works received. His prize will attributed on October 7th and he will be exhibited during the International Glass Biennale 2009.

• Solo exhibitions in prestigious locations:
Yves Chadouet at the Musée Zoologique, Rachel Maisonneuve in the Saint-Maurice church, Mati Negreanu at the Conseil régional d’Alsace, Jean-Pierre Umbdenstock at the Cour des Boecklin, Jörg Zimmermann at the Saint-Louis Crystal Museum and Bernard Dejonghe at the Chaufferie.

• A group exhibition of young talents:
Glass Today, Generation Without Borders 2009 at the Conseil général du Bas-Rhin.

• Exhibitions of international artists in places of art and design: Barbara Nanning at Cor+Interlübke, Julie Six and Véronique Sablery at the Bamberger Gallery and a group exhibition at Aktuaryus Gallery

• An exhibition of the best proposals received for the International Strasbourg Glass Prize at the CIC Est Bank and Nicolas Morin’s Prize-giving

• Installations and artistic proposals at St-art