The Prize, held every two years, is recognised both nationally and internationally and showcases the crème de la crème of emerging glass artists in Australia – those currently undergoing studies at, or those recently graduated from, universities across the nation.

For this year’s Prize, 29 emerging glass artists were selected to present their work.

Griffith Regional Art Gallery Coordinator Raymond Wholohan was eager to share his enthusiasm for the exhibition.

He said glass art is a “design-based art” which pushes the material to its “extreme limits”.

“People are very fascinated by glass,” Mr Wholohan said.

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“There is a technical aspect with glass that makes it quite fascinating and requires specific tools.”

Mr Wholohan explained the patience that is involved in the work; “base around craftmanship” and “science”.

But, that sadly it is a dying art in Australia.

“There aren’t many glass schools left in Australia,” he said.

The exhibition plays part of a relationship between the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery – which had recently presented the pieces – and the Griffith Regional Art Gallery.

“The Wagga Wagga Art Gallery will be taking jewellery exhibition, and Griffith is taking the glass exhibition.”

“We’re happy to have it, and we’re happy Wagga is taking the Jewellery Awards.”

Mr Wholohan’s favourite piece, the Highly Commended ‘Hope Upheld’ by Clare Peters, is a cube of glass in which is held scrawled letters made from lead.

“She’s poured hot glass, layer upon layer, and in the hot glass she’s stuck lead letters,” he said.

“It’s really time-consuming.”

Mr Wholohan said glass has a “sense of awe” and a history of being used as a method throughout the Baroque to Renaissance period to "inspire people to come back to the Church”.

“And, because it’s clear it’s got that sense of illumination – people always associate that sense of illumination with enlightened people; angels; Jesus.

“I think there’s a sense of spirituality to art glass, and I think that’s probably a testament throughout art history.”

The winner of this prestigious Prize will receive an all-expenses-paid, two masterclasses and a conference at North Lands Creative Glass facility in Scotland.

Their work will also be acquired into the National Art Glass Collection.

The exhibition will run for six weeks at the Griffith Regional Art Gallery, closing September 23.