About this Event
You are warmly invited to join us for the preview of our new exhibition 'Celebrating the Design Journey: Commonwealth Games Medals at The Glasgow School of Art', curated by Izzy Laishley, which opens in the Window on Heritage at 5pm on Thursday 9th July 2026.
Your ticket will also give you access to the exhibition preview of '' which opens in the Reid Gallery at the same time.
Inspired by the Glasgow 2026 Festival theme of ‘Celebration’, this exhibition brings the medal design process to life. Featuring materials from The Glasgow School of Art Archives & Collections alongside film, this immersive exhibition follows the creative journey behind the making of both the 2014 and 2026 Glasgow medals, from first sketches to finished objects, opening up the process from the inside. The Glasgow School of Art’s international reputation in Silversmithing & Jewellery makes it a natural partner for the Commonwealth Games medals — a relationship that has shaped both the 2014 and 2026 designs.
The medals from 2014 were made by award-winning artist, designer, jeweller and academic, Dr Jonathan Boyd, capturing the industrial history and uniqueness of Glasgow. The 2026 medals have been designed by award-winning artist, designer, silversmith and GSA graduate Militsa Milenkova, originally from Bulgaria, exploring her connection to the city as her chosen home. Featuring braille and tactile elements for the first time in the history of the Commonwealth Games, the 2026 medal ensures inclusion is tangible and physically felt in the hands of every athlete. Inspired by Glasgow’s shipbuilding heritage, rich landscape and coat of arms, the medal takes the form of a Reuleaux triangle, featuring the iconic Finnieston Crane, Scottish tartan and the three tiers of the podium, forming a rich surface and story to be unravelled and discovered.
The exhibition will feature materials including original sketches, design proposals and wax and 3D printed models alongside medals, commemorative and fashion pieces from the 2014 games.
It also premieres Designing the Games, a short film by BAFTA Scotland-winning filmmaker and GSA graduate Callum Rice. Weaving together process, archive material and voices from across the school, the city and the Games, the film explores reach, impact and legacy, and its role in shaping the next generation of designers.
Connecting the objects, the making, and the stories that carry across cultures and bring people together, the exhibition traces the design decisions, materials, feelings and ideas that shape a symbol of sporting excelle]nce, cultural identity, friendship and belonging.
Image: Glasgow 2026 gold medal, designed by Militsa Milenkova. Photography: Glasgow 2026
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Glasgow School of Art - Reid Building, Window on Heritage, 167 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, United Kingdom
GBP 0.00
