Save the National Glass Centre campaign opinion article 14/08/23
By Melanie Shee, FRSA, a lover of glass and glass blowing, (who had a cat called Hartley)
Along the banks of the River Wear, the teaching of skills has been taking place for centuries. From the shipwrights passing on their skills to apprentices in the shipyards, to the glaziers producing the first stained glass in the UK for Bishopwearmouth Monastery.
Through the ages to the present day, Sunderland has always been a centre of learning. A place where University professors teach an array of subjects to eager students; and of course, the skilled expert glass makers and glass blowers located at The National Glass Centre who are passing on these highly specialist skills locally, nationally and internationally.
In fact in 2008, whilst working at an art college in the region, a Tees Valley glass company contacted me regarding the need to up-skill some of their workforce and in turn increase productivity.
I turned to the skilled expert staff at the National Glass Centre to undertake bespoke training for staff working at the art college. And, they then went to to train the workforce at the glass company. This project was heralded as an example of best practice between colleges and employers by the CBI in their publication Reaching further – Workforce development through employer-FE college partnership, January 2009.
In the UK, stained glass window making is now on the most recent list of craft skills at risk by Heritage Crafts, and it is included on the Red List of Endangered Crafts.
https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/redlist2023/.
Shining a light on craft skills on the verge of extinction in the UK.
Glass making is a highly specialised skill. This is why it’s so important to inspire people, and to throw a light on the depletion of these skills.
In 2018, Jade Tapeson was selected to showcase these her glass work in a national careers programme focusing on the creative industries.
Jade was awarded Second Prize in the CGS New Graduate Review 2016, and featured in the British Glass Biennale 2017 where she was awarded the Glass Sellers’ Student Prize. As a freelance glass artist based at the National Glass Centre, both Jade and the National Glass Centre were featured on the Department for Education England Creative Careers Programme https://discovercreative.careers/video-programme/crafts-fashion-textiles/national-glass-centre/.
In addition, the the National Glass Centre hosted a group of art and design students from the local college. This was to highlight glass making during a week-long National Creative Careers Programme.
So, wouldn’t you therefore think that the University of Sunderland, itself a teaching institution, whose very business is the business of learning and passing on skills would want to preserve the centre?
They are the owners of the National Glass Centre, the only one in UK with specialist kit and highly expert skilled staff. Wouldn’t you think that Sunderland University would be eager to support the development, and safeguard glass making in UK?
Surely, it is better to ensure that it’s removed from the red list of endangered craft? And, thus contributing to securing our heritage?
Wouldn’t you also think that the chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group of Art, Craft and Craft Education, https://www.parallelparliament.co.uk/APPG/art-craft-and-design-in-education local MP Sharon Hodgson along with her fellow Sunderland MP Julie Elliott, co chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Northern Culture. https://northernculture.org.uk/ncappg-inquiry/ would be doing all they can to ensure the National Glass Centre remains open?
Open to the continuation of teaching those at risk, highly specialist skills? In a rather wonderful iconic 29th century building rather than just accepting it’s demise, to become history alongside the shipyards on which the National Glass Centre currently stands.
Melanie Shee, FRSA, a lover of glass and glass blowing (who had a cat called Hartley)
What do you think?
We accept submissions of writing, photography, art and video about the National Glass Centre.
Savethengc@gmail.com
Save the National Glass Centre 