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National Glass Centre

Discover the art of glassmaking and its roots in the city

Glassmaking demonstrations

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

Glassmaking – 12:00, 13:45, 15:00 Monday – Saturday*

Flameworking – 11:00, 15:45. Not available on Tuesday or Sunday.

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

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A glass plate with a large transparent brown rim. The plate has a geometric pattern across the flat surface

The Graduates - Exhibition Call-Out

We’re looking for artists who have studied at the National Glass Centre to be a part of The Graduates. The exhibition will celebrate the talent and careers of the artists that have completed courses at the venue and is due to be on display in July 2026.

Deadline for applications is Sunday 14 September

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See & Do

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Three Artists: Zac Weinberg, Joanna Manousis, and Anthony Amoako-Attah
Free
Three images split across a rectangle. Image one (left side) shows four glass tubes with african inspired patterns. At the top of each tube is a circular shape which is also patterned. The centre image show a green tinted glass object with a large light bulb fixed to the top, the right hand image shows rows of industrial glass and metal bulbs.

Exhibitions

Three Artists: Zac Weinberg, Joanna Manousis, and Anthony Amoako-Attah

Showing in the National Glass Centre Gallery, Balcony Gallery & Research Gallery.

15 Jul 2025 – 10 Jan 2026
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National Glass Centre

Nature’s Tangled Web
Free
A square split into 49 smaller coloured squares. Each has a white letter. the rows spell out birds names.

Exhibitions

Nature’s Tangled Web

Showing in Sunderland Creatives Gallery

15 Jul – 13 Sep 2025
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National Glass Centre

Five Week Kiln Formed Glass Course
A series of decorated glass tiles. The designs are from left to right; a sunflower, five brown fish swimming in a sky blue sea, a dog, a butterfly, an orange cat, seven green rectangles, and a navy blue and pink fish swimming between sea plants.

Adult Workshops and Activities

Five Week Kiln Formed Glass Course

5 week course running on Thursdays

17 Jul – 28 Aug 2025

16+

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National Glass Centre

Stained Glass and Copper Foil Botanicals
Limited Availability
Three stained glass flowers, with brightly coloured petals, sit in orange ceramic pots

Adult Workshops and Activities

Stained Glass and Copper Foil Botanicals

19 Jul – 16 Aug 2025

16+

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National Glass Centre

Five Week Glass Tableware Club
An orange, white and red curved plate sits on a white surface

Adult Workshops and Activities

Five Week Glass Tableware Club

19 Jul – 30 Aug 2025

16+

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National Glass Centre

3-Day Workshop: Summer Superheroes
A pop art explosion graphic with blue, pink, and yellow. In the centre, the words Summer Superheroes is written in pink text

Children and Young People's Activities

3-Day Workshop: Summer Superheroes

22 Jul 2025

Ages 7+

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National Glass Centre

See & Do

Explore what’s on

Exhibitions, workshops, glassmaking and more

See & Do
Visit Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art
A large grey room with a polished cement floor and large abstract paintings hung on the wall. Two people are gesturing at one painting in front of them and smiling.

We’re home to Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art

Based inside National Glass Centre, the gallery showcases contemporary art in a range of media from talented national and international artists.

Visit Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art

Learn & Create

Schools & Education
A group of school children stand in a workshop that has by tables with art supplies on them and various pieces of equipment. An adult at the head of the circle talks to the group looking down at something in front of them.

Schools & Education

Educational workshops for various ages and subjects as well as guidance for self-led visits.

Schools & Education
Children & Families
A group of children and adults stand behind a barrier and watch as molten glass is poured out of a metal ladle and into a dish of sand.

Children & Families

Enjoy your family trip with fun activities and trails to inspire little ones.

Children & Families
SEND
A child wearing an orange backpack looks through a pink piece of plastic they are holding in their hand. Another child behind them is wearing a pink backpack and looking down at a booklet they're holding.

SEND

Make the most of your visit with fun activities and safe spaces for SEND children and young people.

SEND
Plan your visit
An angular glass and metal building, the National Glass Centre, with a large paved area in front of it with wooden benches.

Plan Your Visit

Find out how to get here and about our facilities before you visit

Plan your visit
Two children walking on the balcony of an art gallery. The boy has short hair and is wearing a red t-shirt. The girl is shorter than the boy. She has long hair. Both children are wearing backpacks.

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