THE WAY TO THE STARS

Young art glass creators – Dominika Petrtýlová, Johan Pertl, Vlastimil Šenkýř.

The second year of the exhibition The Way to the Stars presents another three promising young artists who continue to successfully pursue their craft after completing their university studies. The event takes place as part of the International Triennial of Glass and Jewellery Jablonec 2026, which aims to present contemporary glass to the general public as a material with many uses, including artistic expression. This time, the space has been given to Dominika Petrtýlová (*1995), Johan Pertl (*1991), and Vlastimil Šenkýř (*1990), graduates of the Glass Studio at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague (UMPRUM), led by prof. ak. soch. Rony Plesl and assistant Mg.A. Klára Horáčková, who are regularly awarded for their work in design competitions. However, studying together was definitely not the criterion for the curatorial selection; the criterion is the diversity and variability of approaches to contemporary glass. Although Petrtýlová, Šenkýř, and Pertl attended the same studio, their styles differ significantly. They experiment, consistently utilizing their specific knowledge and skills, both craft-related and technological. They have transformed the acquired experience into a distinct artistic expression, which enriches the wide spectrum of Czech art glassmaking with further remarkable shades. The International Triennial of Glass and Jewellery is supported by: Zuzana Mrázová, Minister of Regional Development of the Czech Republic; Oto Klempíř, Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic; Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic; Martin Půta, Governor of the Liberec Region; Miloš Vele, Mayor of the Statutory City of Jablonec nad Nisou; Chamber of Commerce of the Czech Republic; Association of the Glass and Ceramic Industry of the Czech Republic; Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic; Association of Manufacturers of Glass and Jewellery. Project partners: Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic; Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic; Ministry of Regional Development of the Czech Republic; Liberec Region; Statutory City of Jablonec nad Nisou; Chamber of Commerce of the Czech Republic; Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic; Association of the Glass and Ceramic Industry of the Czech Republic; Messe Frankfurt. General media partner: Česká televize. Media partners: Český rozhlas Liberec, Material Times, Sklář a keramik, Designmag