For a free day out with a difference, visit National Glass Centre and Northen Gallery for Contemporary Art.
Discover the history of pioneering glass making in Sunderland and enjoy world class exhibitions and experiences at National Glass Centre. You and your family will love our sensational glass blowing demonstrations and our hands-on creative activities.
Head to the ground floor and you can visit Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art. The gallery
Group Visits
has been bringing art from around the world to Sunderland and revealing the depth of talent in the North East for 50 years.
Complete your visit to the centre with a bite to eat or a coffee in The Glass Yard Café, or browse handmade jewellery, studio glass, and a range of unique gifts and homeware in our shop.
Groups are always welcome at National Glass Centre. On arrival you will be greeted by our Visitor Services team who will give you an overview of National Glass Centre, Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art, and our current exhibitions. You’ll then visit our galleries, our Hot Glass Studio to experience a live glass blowing demonstration, our shop and café. Private glass blowing demonstrations are available on request. Advance notice of your group visit is always appreciated.
Cover image: Bruce Marks, Birds, 2024. Photo: Alick Cotterill
Free Glass Making Demonstrations
Watch our expert glass making team craft stunning pieces before your eyes in our amazing glass blowing demonstrations. For further information, please visit nationalglasscentre.com.
Glass Blowing:
Daily 12:00, 13:45 and 15:00 (30 mins)
Little Artists Drop In
Come along to our Little Artists Drop-ins every Monday during term time, where your under 5’s can explore the world around them through imaginative play in self-led activities. Sessions are free, fun and tailored to support early learning and exploration.
Adventure Backpacks
Explore National Glass Centre with our Adventure Backpacks which are full of fun investigatory activities including a set of activity cards. We also have individually tailored SEND Adventure Backpacks for visitors with additional needs. The Backpacks are free to use, suitable for ages 4+ and available at Reception.
Kids Activity Trails and Colouring in Sheets
Pick up one of our free kids’ activity trails which will guide you around the building or enjoy our range of colouring in sheets. Our activities change regularly to different themes and are a great way to entertain the kids.
EXHIBITIONS
National Glass Centre Gallery
Menagerie
Runs until 31 May
A menagerie is a collection of wild animals kept in captivity for exhibition. The definition of ‘wild’ is flexible for this selection of animals and creatures created by artists working in glass and ceramics. For example, Zoe Whiteside’s ceramic elephant and bears depict the beauty of these
marvellous creatures, while Emma Woffenden and John Moran introduce very different concepts into their depictions of animals in glass. Some of the earliest examples of art feature depictions of animals and this exhibition brings us up to date.
Image: Zoe Whiteside, Elephant In The Room, 2023.
For additional information on all National Glass Centre exhibitions click here
Balcony Gallery
Glass Zoo
Runs until 1 June
The theme continues along the balcony showing animals and creatures selected from National Glass Centre’s permanent collection. Please be aware that it may not be possible to contain all wildlife within the display cases.
Research Gallery Inga Hamilton: The Things That Nonhuman Animals Make Runs
until 9 March
Inga Hamilton is undertaking a PhD at the University of Sunderland. This exhibition presents Inga’s jewellery pieces which convey her research communications with nonhuman animals about making.
Collection Gallery
Bernard Lloyd Collection Runs until 7 September
An updated presentation of selected works from the Bernard Lloyd Collection celebrating international styles and glass making techniques.
Sunderland Creatives Gallery
Re-imag(in)ing WORK Runs until 30 March
Photographs from the Changing Faces Collection of the International Photography Research Network (IPRN).
Image: Oiva Toikka, Bird. Photo: David Williams
Image: Inga Hamilton, Cake As Protection, 2023
Image: Colin Reid, Untitled, 1985. Photo: David Williams
EXHIBITIONS
Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art Main Gallery
The Skin We Live In:
Portraits from the NGCA Collection
Runs until 2 March
The Skin We Live In is the inaugural exhibition of artwork from Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art’s collection brought together in a group show exploring contemporary portraiture through photography, painting, sculpture, film, and printmaking.
The exhibition features artwork by 28 contemporary artists and photographers who turn the tables on historic associations and practices of portraiture to go beyond skin deep delving further into our shared human condition.
Image: Walker & Bromwich, Love Cannon, 2006. Courtesy of the artist
For additional information on all Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art exhibitions click here
Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art Collection Space
Harry Griffin: My name is Harry, these are my pictures and they are nice Runs until 2 March
My name is Harry… is the first gallery exhibition of British photographer and tour manager Harry Griffin on display across NGCA Collection Space and Pop Recs (172-175 High St West, Sunniside, Sunderland, SR1 1UP).
The exhibition comprises hundreds of photographs from Harry’s photographic archive
providing a unique insight into Britain’s vibrant comedy circuit, family and friendships, moments of joy, celebration and boredom all shot through with wit, humour, and candid moments of life on tour.
Curated with Gabrielle Barkess-Kerr. This exhibition has been produced in partnership with the Northern Centre of Photography, University of Sunderland.
Image: Harry Griffin Glamour Nana Queen’s Heath Pride Birmingham, June 2024. Courtesy of the artist
EXHIBITIONS
Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art Main Gallery Hetain Patel: Come As You Really Are 22 March – 6 July
From makers and modifiers to crafters and collectors, Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art, alongside award-winning artist and Spider-Man enthusiast Hetain Patel and Artangel, London, present Come As You Really Are.
Beginning as a nationwide call-out inviting members of the public to share the creative activity they dedicate their spare time to, Come As You Really Are features hundreds of unique hand-crafted objects
and collections submitted from across the North East of England standing shoulder to shoulder with existing artworks and a new film commission by Patel.
Come As You Really Are showcases a variety of hobbies that demonstrates an individual’s freedom of expression and ingenuity, and in doing so broadens our perception of who gets to be called creative and where the impulse to create stems from.
Image: Hetain Patel, Come As You Really Are brand identity, 2024. Courtesy of the artist and Artangel, London
Special Hot Glass Studio Experiences
Make a Glass
Valentine’s Heart
Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 February
On-sale 11:00, Thursday 12 December
1 hour workshops running at 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 14:00 and 15:00
Age 16+ (anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the session)
£46 / Booking essential
Guided by our experienced glass makers, create a stunning Valentine’s Day heart from molten glass. Share a creative day with someone special, or make them a truly unique Valentine’s gift.
What’s on for Adults
All courses are suitable for ages 16+ unless otherwise specified.
For additional information click here or visit nationalglasscentre.com
Flameworked Beads
Sunday 19 January
10:00 - 16:00 / £80
Sunday 26 January
10:00 - 12:30 / £40
Sunday 26 January
13:30pm - 16:00 / £40
Sunday 13 April
10:00 - 16:00 / £80
Flameworked Pendants
Saturday 25 January and Sunday 23 March
10:00 - 16:00 / £80
2 Day Flameworking Skills
Saturday 15 February and
Sunday 16 February
10:00 - 16:00 / £80
Saturday 26 April and Sunday 27 April
10:00 - 16:00 / £80
Flameworked Plant Forms
Saturday 15 March and Sunday 16 March
10:00 - 16:00 / £80
Stained Glass and Copper Foil Botanicals
Saturdays 8 February, 8 March, 3 May, 31 May 10:00 - 16:00 / £75
Introduction to Ceramics: 1 Day Introduction to Throwing Technique
Saturday 1 February and Saturday 22 March 10:00 - 16:00 / £60
1 Day Introduction to Ceramics: Handbuilding
Saturday 1 March and Saturday 3 May 10:00 - 16:00 / £60
Half term
Glass Fused Animals
Monday 24 February
10:00 and 12:00
Approx Session Length 1 hour
Age 5+ / £12
Booking essential
Animal Sandcasting
(hedgehog, cat, fish, butterfly)
Tuesday 25 February
Friday 28 February
9:30 and 10:30
Approx Session Length 45 mins
Age 5+ / £20
Booking essential
For additional information click here or visit nationalglasscentre.com
Imaginary Coiled Creatures
Wednesday 26 February
10:00 - 12:00
Approx Session Length 2 hours
Age 5+ / £12
Booking essential
Ceramic Animal Tiles
Thursday 27 February 10:00 and 12:00
Approx Session Length 1 hour
30 mins
Age 5+ / £12
Booking essential
Easter
Animal Sandcasting
(hedgehog, cat, fish, butterfly)
Monday 14 April and Tuesday 22 April 9:30 and 10:30
Approx Session Length 45 mins
Age 5+ / £20
Booking essential
Glass Fused Animals
Tuesday 15 April and Wednesday 23 April 10:00 and 12:00
Approx Session Length 1 hour
Age 5+ / £12
Booking essential
Glass Painted Animal Tiles
Wednesday 16 April, Thursday 17 April, Friday 18 April and Thursday 24 April 10:00 and 12:00
Approx Session Length 45 mins
Age 4+ / £5 / Drop-in
Ceramic Animal Tiles
Thursday 17 April and Friday 25 April 10:00 and 14:00
Approx Session Length 1 hour
30 mins
Age 5+ / £12
Booking essential
Imaginary Coiled Creatures
Monday 21 April 10:00 - 12:00
Approx Session Length 2 hours
Age 5+ / £12
Booking essential
Hot Glass Studio Sale
Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 January 2025, 10:00 -17:00 National Glass Centre Shop
Come on down to our Studio Glass Sale for the opportunity to purchase a unique piece of Studio Glass made right here in National Glass Centre’s Hot Glass Studio. You will be able to choose from a wide array of glass including one off pieces and slight seconds. All available at a bargain price. Looking for the perfect gift? Look no further than National Glass Centre’s shop Available in store or online at shop-nationalglasscentre.com
The Glass Yard
Open for breakfast and lunch, The Glass Yard is the perfect place to get together with family, friends and loved ones.
Follow on social media to keep up to date with offers and daily specials: theglassyardcafe @theglassyardcafe
National Glass Centre and Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art are part of the Sunderland Culture family, which delivers an exciting programme across some of the city’s key cultural venues including Arts Centre Washington and Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, as well as a programme of cultural engagement and events with communities across the city. Highlights across our other venues include...
Visit: Travel, Contact, and Connect
Parking: We have car parking on site. Car park charges apply: Free for under 20 minutes, 60p per hour or £3 all day. Blue Badge holders may park for free. For a more detailed map and directions, please visit sunderlandculture.org.uk/visit-ngc
Our building is fully accessible in all areas. For more info, please visit: sunderlandculture.org.uk/access
This has been printed using soya-based inks on FSC-certified, fully recyclable paper, with support for the World Land Trust to ensure sustainable, eco-friendly practices.
