Peter Layton

Studied at the Bradford College of Art, Bradford, UK, 1960–1962, and graduated from the Central School of Art and Design, London, UK, 1965. Lectured at colleges and universities in the UK
and USA, 1972–1980.

During a visiting lectureship at the University of Iowa, USA, 1966, he became interested in glassblowing. In 1976 he set up the London Glassblowing Workshop, one of Europe's leading glassblowing centres.

Established Peter Layton and Associates Limited to work on architectural projects, 1984. Became an honorary life member of the Contemporary Glass Studio, 2002, and was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Bradford, 2003. Became Honorary Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers, 2008. Appointed board member of Glass Art Society, USA, 2008.

He has participated in numerous solo and collective exhibitions in recent years in the UK and USA, but also in Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, and Australia. His works can be found in public collections across the UK, for example at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge; Victoria and Albert Museum, London; Liverpool Museum; and the Royal Scottish Museum in Edinburgh. Further abroad, his works are to be seen in Russia, Denmark, and the Czech Republic.

He has set up workshops, and organized seminars and exhibitions to encourage others, and has made his mark in the international glassmaking world. One of the world's most widely respected glass artists. He has done more to promote glassmaking as an art form than anyone else in Europe. He is regarded as the 'grand old man of glass'.