National Glass Centre

National Glass Centre National Glass Centre at the University of Sunderland is a cultural attraction and venue with a difference.
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With glass at the heart of everything we do, we celebrate Sunderland’s glass making heritage and explore the creative potential of this extraordinary material. Discover the origins, growth and legacy of glass making in Sunderland with our permanent exhibition, Stories of Glass in Sunderland. Using compelling personal stories from local people and striking audio visual displays, this interactive ex

hibition traces the history of glass making in the City from the 7th Century to the present day. Our gallery spaces host our international exhibitions programme, which presents the work of leading contemporary artists in glass and ceramics. If you are looking for a creative experience, you’ll love our range of glass making, jewellery and craft workshops and courses. We also run a variety of fun, hands-on activities for children and young people. Our popular, free glass blowing demonstrations run throughout the day and families can explore our exhibition spaces with themed tours and treasure hunts. For a bite to eat with a view, try The Glass Yard, serving breakfast, lunch and homemade sweet treats by the riverside. Complete your visit with a browse in our shop and choose the perfect souvenir for your day out from our selection of beautiful glass and ceramic artworks and jewellery, hand-crafted by local artists.

A message from Izzy McDonald-BoothAs Head of National Glass Centre and having worked here for 20 years, I wanted to offe...
31/07/2026

A message from Izzy McDonald-Booth

As Head of National Glass Centre and having worked here for 20 years, I wanted to offer you my heartfelt thanks for all your support.

Most of you will have watched a glassmaking demonstration, seen a fabulous exhibition, made a piece of glass (or ceramics) of your own, bought something in our shop or even just come to have a cuppa and enjoy the centre. All these things tell us how much enjoyment people have had at the NGC over the years.

I am especially proud when I hear about people who came here as children and were inspired by the creative arts and went on to study or have made a career out of that inspiration. As our Head of Arts Julia Stephenson has said, “We have fantastic achievements to celebrate. To name just two, our graduates teach world-wide, and we have welcomed some of the finest international artists working in glass, to the North-East of England.”

We now turn to the future of glassmaking in Sunderland and the possibilities that are being worked on behind the scenes to make Glassworks: Sunderland a reality. We hope that this major project will take glassmaking into its next phase in Sunderland.

We are also looking forward to the opening of Culture House in September, which will be the new home for the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art, while work continues to ensure the NGC Collection is retained in the city and remains accessible to the public.

On behalf of all the staff here, thank you again for your support,

Izzy McDonald-Booth

Don’t miss your opportunity to visit us on our final week. Witness our Hot Glass Studio demos, take part in family activ...
27/07/2026

Don’t miss your opportunity to visit us on our final week.

Witness our Hot Glass Studio demos, take part in family activities, and view our current exhibitions.

Opening Times: Monday 27 July – Wednesday 29 July : 10am – 5pm, Thursday 30 July: 10am – 3pm, Friday 31 July: 10am – 12pm.

ℹ More info: https://www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/national-glass-centre/

Experience the heat of our 1000-degree furnace and watch our expert glassmaking team craft works of art right before you...
26/07/2026

Experience the heat of our 1000-degree furnace and watch our expert glassmaking team craft works of art right before your eyes.

Don't miss our free glassmaking demonstrations this week.

📅 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday - 12pm, 1:45pm, 3pm
🕛 Thursday - 12pm, 1:45pm

⚠ We would recommend checking website alerts for schedule changes before visiting.

Only six days left to to visit National Glass Centre. Don’t miss your opportunity to catch our Galleries and activities ...
25/07/2026

Only six days left to to visit National Glass Centre.

Don’t miss your opportunity to catch our Galleries and activities before we take our final bow on Friday 31 July.

View our current exhibitions, take part in fun family activities, witness our Hot Glass Studio demos, and lots more.

ℹ More info: https://www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/national-glass-centre/

Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art is moving home.Don't miss your chance to view Hands On and Anna-Marie Gallares: I ...
24/07/2026

Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art is moving home.

Don't miss your chance to view Hands On and Anna-Marie Gallares: I Carry It With Me, the final exhibitions at our National Glass Centre location before they end on Friday 31 July.

ℹ Find out more: https://www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/northern-gallery-for-contemporary-art/

Image credit: Natalie Gale, Untitled, 2026, collage, 150 x 80cm. Courtesy of the artist web

🙏Supported by of Sunderland, Arts Council England, Sunderland, UK, UK Government

While the final activities are fully booked here at National Glass Centre, there’s plenty of chances to get creative in ...
23/07/2026

While the final activities are fully booked here at National Glass Centre, there’s plenty of chances to get creative in Sunderland this summer.

Explore the full Sunderland Culture programme with events and activities for all ages across the city.

ℹ Find out more: https://www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/whats-on/

Due to a last minute cancellation, we have a very limited amount of spaces now available for our final Glass Painting se...
22/07/2026

Due to a last minute cancellation, we have a very limited amount of spaces now available for our final Glass Painting sessions at National Glass Centre.

Remaining availability:
Thursday 23 July - 10am
Thursday 23 July - 11am

All other sessions are sold out. If you would like to attend, we would advise booking as soon as possible. No further sessions will be added.

🎟 Book now: https://www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/whats-on/glass-painting/

Final call for our final sessions.Remaining availability: Tuesday 21 March: 3pmWednesday 22 March: 10am, 2pm, 3pmAll oth...
20/07/2026

Final call for our final sessions.

Remaining availability:
Tuesday 21 March: 3pm
Wednesday 22 March: 10am, 2pm, 3pm

All other sessions are sold out. If you would like to attend, we would advise booking as soon as possible. No further sessions will be added.

Book now: https://www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/whats-on/glass-painting/

Address

Liberty Way
Sunderland
SR60GL

Telephone

+441915155555

Website

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