Artists awarded bursaries to help keep glassmaking alive in Sunderland

From purchasing kilns to expanding specialist techniques, eight local artists working in glass have been given a helping hand thanks to a series of bursaries totalling £39,500.

The city’s glassmaking tradition has been hit hard by the loss of the specialist facilities when National Glass Centre closed in July.

Now, eight artists and creative businesses working in glass and ceramics have been awarded grants through Sunderland Culture’s Unlock programme, helping them invest in specialist equipment and develop new work, helping to keep glassmaking alive in the city on some level.

The awards will support a range of projects, from purchasing specialist kilns and developing new collections to exploring digital fabrication, expanding into specialist glass techniques and strengthening business plans for future growth.

Since 2018, Sunderland Culture’s Unlock programme has worked to develop the city’s cultural infrastructure and support its creative practitioners and businesses. The latest awards build on the success of Sunderland Culture’s Creative Development Grants, which awarded £54,000 to 33 creative businesses in the city last year.

This year the fund has supported 16 creative businesses in the city with a total of £68,262. While a range of creatives businesses – from film makers to florists – have benefited this year’s programme has had a particular focus on supporting the city’s glass and ceramics community.

Half of the eight successful recipients are from the city’s glass and ceramics community and will use their bursaries to invest in the skills, resources and equipment they need to develop their practice and explore new opportunities.

Tom Jordan will purchase a professional digital fabrication workstation, enabling him to integrate digital fabrication techniques into his creative practice and expand the possibilities of his work.

Liam Aldridge, of Thrown Together Pottery, will invest in a kiln capable of firing high-fire stoneware ceramics and large statement sculptures, giving him the capacity to develop and produce ambitious ceramic work.

Helen Connify will use her grant to purchase her own kiln and undertake specialist training in kiln management, glaze development and safe electrics for ceramic lighting. This investment will help her establish and launch a ceramics business.

Colin Rennie, of TestBed CIC, will use his grant to undertake a structured programme of research, professional consultation and business development.

Joanna Manousis, of Manberg Projects Ltd, will purchase specialist tools, materials and reference resources to expand her practice into the specialist field of reverse painting and gilding on glass.

Anya Kaszekfo will invest in high-quality materials for ceramics and kiln-formed glass, enabling her to experiment with both mediums and develop new collections.

Annie James, of Harbour Studios CIC, will invest in equipment and software that helps the business establish a new physical premises in Sunniside.

Hannah Masi, of Dopamine Glassworks, will purchase equipment to create an entirely new collection of lighting sculptures incorporating kiln-formed glass, opening up new creative and commercial possibilities for her work.

Glassmaking has shifted in the city

Speaking about the awarding of her bursary, Hannah said: “Following the closure of the National Glass Centre, my practice as a glass artist has shifted to work with kiln-formed glass, in particular slumped glass.

“With the bursary, I have been able to invest in a glass kiln and other relevant equipment to keep my practice and glassmaking alive in Sunderland. I am now developing bespoke sculptural lighting pieces that combine kiln slumped glass with added metal components.

“This transition will allow me to develop new technical skills, expand the possibilities of my practice and establish a sustainable future for Dopamine Glassworks.

“Applying for the bursary was a straightforward and accessible process and the bursary has provided me with the opportunity to invest in essential equipment and establish a foundation for the future of my business.

“On a personal level, it has given me the confidence and financial support to continue working with glass in Sunderland and keep the heritage of glass alive in the city. This support has been invaluable in allowing me to adapt my approach to glassmaking and work towards building a sustainable future for Dopamine Glassworks.”

Nick Malyan, Chief Executive of Sunderland Culture, said: “The Unlock awards demonstrate the breadth and diversity of creative talent across Sunderland, supporting artists, makers and creative businesses to access the equipment, expertise and resources they need to develop their practice, grow their businesses and thrive in the city.

“This latest round has supported a fantastic range of creative activity, from galleries and app developers to filmmakers and florists, demonstrating the diversity of Sunderland’s growing creative economy.

“We are particularly pleased with the response from Sunderland’s glass and ceramics community, which was a priority for this latest round of funding. The significant investment in these artists and makers reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting the sector, safeguarding skills and ensuring that glassmaking and ceramics continue to have a strong future in Sunderland.”

The Unlock Creative Development Grant is delivered by Sunderland Culture through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Innovate & Grow Project.

The project is part-funded by the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority and managed in Sunderland by Sunderland City Council on behalf of the Sunderland Partnership.

For more information about Sunderland Culture’s Unlock programme, visit: https://www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/projects-partnerships/unlock/