A remarkable anniversary is being celebrated in the North Bohemian town of Kamenický Šenov. The local glassmaking school, regarded as the oldest institution of its kind in the world, is marking its 170th anniversary this year. It is the story of a school that survived the سقوط of an empire, wars, economic crises, and sweeping transformations in the glass industry, while never losing its importance for European and global design.
The school’s origins date back to March 31, 1856, when the School of Drawing and Modelling opened in what was then known as Steinschönau, now Kamenický Šenov. In the mid-19th century, the town was one of Europe’s most important glassmaking centres. Local engravers, painters, and glass cutters enjoyed a strong reputation, yet they lacked systematic artistic education. It was from this need that the school was born — a place meant to provide young craftsmen with new skills and a broader perspective on their profession.
The school’s first director was the academic painter Jan Dvořáček. He brought to Kamenický Šenov not only experience gained in Vienna, but also an ambitious vision: to elevate glassmaking from the level of craft to the rank of art. History shows that he succeeded.
The institution survived the Austro-Hungarian era, the period of the First Czechoslovak Republic, wartime destruction, and the political and social upheavals of the post-war years. Generations of teachers and students passed through its studios, leaving a lasting mark on the history of Czech and global artistic glassmaking. Among the school’s alumni are names well known in the world of design, including René Roubíček, Vladimír Kopecký, Jiří Šuhájek, and Ivo Rozsypal.
A new chapter in the school’s history began after 1989. The institution experienced a revival, opened itself to international cooperation, and modernised its curriculum. Alongside traditional techniques, it began to develop new fields such as lighting design, computer graphics, and vitreography. A particularly important distinction came in 2005, when the school received UNESCO patronage, confirming its exceptional standing among the world’s educational institutions.
Another major milestone was the extensive modernisation completed in 2019. With support from the Liberec Region, a modern Centre for Vocational Education was built, equipped with workshops and studios that allow students to combine the latest technologies with traditional methods of working with glass.
Today, the school works closely with leading companies in the glass industry, including Preciosa Lighting, Moser, Crystalex, and Pačinek Glass. Thanks to this, students have direct contact with the industry and the realities of the profession, while many of them go on to study at art academies or join top-tier firms involved in glass production and design.
The 170th anniversary is not only an opportunity to look back, but also proof that tradition can go hand in hand with modernity. The school in Kamenický Šenov remains a symbol of continuity, quality, and creative courage — a place where glass has, for generations, ceased to be merely a practical material and has become art.
