An adventure....North East

Last weekend was my first opportunity for a long while to have time away from Manchester Craft and Design Centre. Some friends invited me to visit them in South Shields which is close to Sunderland and the National Glass Centre. Somewhere I have wanted to visit for a long time. 

The whole weekend turned out to be very interesting with a day in Newcastle visiting galleries and even a a visit to the theatre to see 'Geordie The Musical'!

First stop:The National Glass Centre

The national glass centre was not quite what I expected, looking very industrial and hidden from the outside but when inside it was a very modern light and airy in the sunshine, ideal for glass! 

The centre had a good mix of contemporary exhibits and the history of glass. It was really interesting to find out more about the the glass industry in the North East,something I didn't know much about.

Making drinking glasses on a lathe with a blow torch

It was a great opportunity to see glass which uses different techniques. It was nice to see both demonstrations, exhibitions and pieces to buy in the shop showing the skill of glass making and its possibilities as a creative medium. As always with glass, there are such a variety of outcomes (though often not always to my taste!) that show real skill!

I really enjoyed seeing the skilled glass makers using techniques which I have not had access to since University, like glass blowing and hot lathe work (something ive never seen before!). Hot glass is far too scary for me, I like the control of the kiln but hot glass is an amazing skill and is great to see in the flesh!

As a kiln formed glass maker I did have my eyes on all the array of equipment they had in the workshops, I have quite serious kiln and sandblaster envy.... If only I had unlimited space in my workshop!

I really would recommend The National Glass Centre if you are in the north east, there is lots to see and do whether you are obsessed with glass (like me!) or not. It has a lovely light and airy restaurant too with food served on glass of course!

'Geordie the musical' beer mat

After a busy day at the glass centre I had a surprise trip to the theatre in the evening. My friends knew one of the actors in a musical at The Customs House so got us tickets. Now I am not normally one for musicals, random breaking out into song usually disturbs me, but 'Geordie The Musical' was good! It was set in the 1900's and based around an interesting story with traditional  folk songs from the North East. It was a great introduction to Geordie culture!

A view of  Newcastle quayside from The Baltic.

Sunday was spent visiting Newcastle which seems to be full of bridges (no surprise being on the Tyne!) I really like structure so I was quite inspired by their shapes!

  

 

It was really nice sunny (but windy!) weather so I had a good walk around, exploring the quayside and Ouseburn areas of the city to see two galleries on my to do list: The Biscuit Factory and The Baltic.

I have to say the signage around the city was very good, I didn't get lost once and found places easily, Manchester could certainly  learn a thing or two from Newcastle!




The Baltic was definitely an interesting building to visit, very modern, great views of the city and a really good library (I spent most of my time there!).

I wasn't so impressed by the exhibits, a bit too conceptual for me as someone who is interested in well made objects rather than concepts. But still worth a visit!

 

I did particularly enjoy visiting the Biscuit Factory a gallery which specializes in contemporary art and craft, much more my thing. As the name suggests the gallery is a really nicely converted biscuit factory!

 

They have some really great quality work on display, my particular favourites were some of the ceramics and of course glass!

My favourite: Porcelain box by Myer Halliday

I loved the subtle textures and intricate patterned ceramics from Myer Halliday and Alison Hellyer, beautiful.

Ceramics by Alison Hellyer

This hot worked glass from Graham Muir was very impressive, such amazing skill to produce pieces of this scale and complexity!

A complete contrast in style to these delicate looking glass pieces.

As well as the work on display, I particularly liked the glass window installation at the gallery. Sadly I couldn't see any info about it!

I thought It was really good how the building had these creative and handmade elements like the window and unique hand shaped door handles.

I would certainly recommend a visit there much like the craft centre in Manchester its a great place in the North East to see and buy craft!

I will definitely have to visit again as many interesting places were closed on Sunday (much like my own studio!), I will have to go on another Ouseburn tour next time including the city zoo!

36 Lime street studios

Cobalt studios

See you soon Newcastle!