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National Glass Centre

Discover the art of glassmaking and its roots in the city

Special Events

Menagerie
Free
A grey ceramic elephant stands against a gradient grey background. The elephants head is facing left.

Exhibitions

Menagerie

Showing in the National Glass Centre Gallery

14 Jan – 31 May 2025
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National Glass Centre

Daily glass making demonstrations

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

Glass making – 12:00, 13:45, 15:00 daily*

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

*Check out website alerts for schedule changes before visiting.

See & Do

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Veterans into Clay Sunderland
Free
A red brown ceramic pot. The lid, which is the same colour, is being lifted off by a white hand

Exhibitions

Veterans into Clay Sunderland

Showing in National Glass Centre Learning Gallery

14 – 31 Jan 2025
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National Glass Centre

Re-imag(in)ing WORK: Photographs from the IPRN Changing Faces Collection
Free
An abstract forest scene with four pictured in green boiler suits. One man, situated to the left of the picture sits on the woodland floor looking up. The other three men push against a giant pine trunk. In the distance is a red coloured water slide and a pine lodge. The sky is extremely misty.

Exhibitions

Re-imag(in)ing WORK: Photographs from the IPRN Changing Faces Collection

Showing in Sunderland Creatives Gallery

14 Jan – 30 Mar 2025
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National Glass Centre

Menagerie
Free
A grey ceramic elephant stands against a gradient grey background. The elephants head is facing left.

Exhibitions

Menagerie

Showing in the National Glass Centre Gallery

14 Jan – 31 May 2025
More

National Glass Centre

Glass Zoo
Free
A gold bird shaped artwork with a clear glass head.

Exhibitions

Glass Zoo

Showing in the Balcony Gallery

14 Jan – 01 Jun 2025
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National Glass Centre

Inga Hamilton: The Things That Nonhuman Animals Make
Free
A ring made of brown glass

Exhibitions

Inga Hamilton: The Things That Nonhuman Animals Make

Showing in the Research Gallery

14 Jan – 09 Mar 2025
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National Glass Centre

Children's Activity Trails for Winter 2024
Free
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.

Children and Young People's Activities

Children's Activity Trails for Winter 2024

14 – 31 Jan 2025

Ages 3+

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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 wearing colourful backpacks walk along a balcony in a glass building. At the end is a rounded, metal pod-shaped room with a window in the side.

Make a donation

We want more people to enjoy and experience creativity and culture. Your donation can make a real difference to our work.

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