Sunderland Art Galleries

(Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England, UK)

Tyne and Wear has long had strong connections with Manchester-born artist Laurence Stephen Lowry (1887 to 1976). Famous for his paintings depicting northern life, with matchstick characters, Lowry's paintings grace the walls of the Sunderland Museum, where scenes include the local 'Dockside' and 'The Sea at Sunderland'. Specialising in art works of an altogether more modern basis, the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art (NGCA) at the City Library and Arts Centre on Fawcett Street is especially important.

Situated within the Monkwearmouth area of Sunderland and on the northerly side of the River Wear, the National Glass Centre occupies the former site of an old shipyard, where it showcases many intriguing glass sculptures. The Arts Centre Washington is another local gallery of note, while in the centre of Sunderland, public art really is everywhere, with sculptures being dotted around Mowbray Park and along St. Peter's Riverside, commemorating the rich heritage of the once heaving docks. In nearby Gateshead, a trip to the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art is a must for enthusiastic modern art lovers.

National Glass Centre

Address: Liberty Way, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR6 0GL, England, UK
Tel: +44 0191 515 5555
Built in 1998 and costing roughly £17 million to complete, the National Glass Centre is very modern in its appearance, successfully combining steel and glass in its main structure. Celebrating the history of glass making through the ages, the centre is home to five galleries and ever-changing exhibitions, where some awesome glass sculptures are displayed and uplit to good effect. Visitors are also treated to a demonstration of glass making and blowing in the dedicated studio, with the results often being sold in the onsite souvenir shop.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art (NGCA)

Address: City Library and Arts Centre, Fawcett Street, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR1 1RE, England, UK
Tel: +44 0191 514 1235
Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art is part of the City Library and Arts Centre on Fawcett Street , where it is located on the top floor. Opened in the mid-1990s, the venue exhibits not only established artists, but also emerging artists from the Tyne and Wear area. Other highlights include regular talks, workshops and projects involving the local community, and students from the city's colleges and university. Visitors inspired by the art works on display and feeling a little on the creative side can express their artistic tendencies at the Drawing Room, where materials are provided at no cost.
Open hours: Monday and Wednesday - 09:30 to 19:30, Tuesday, Thursday to Saturday - 09:30 to 16:00
Admission: free

Arts Centre Washington

Address: Biddick Lane, Fatfield, Washington, Tyne and Wear, NE38 8AB, England, UK
Tel: +44 0191 219 3455
The Arts Centre Washington is just a short distance from Sunderland and combines a mixture of gallery spaces and studios with live entertainment and theatrical performances. Each year, an comprehensive programme of events and exhibitions is planned, designed to appeal to a wide audience. A recording studio, cafe bar, regular craft fair (first Saturday each month) and gift shop complete the main attractions.
Open hours: Monday - 09:00 to 17:00, Tuesday and Wednesday - 09:00 to 21:00, Thursday - 09:00 to 22:00, Friday - 09:00 to 20:00, Saturday - 09:00 to midnight
Admission: free

Information about art galleries in Newcastle.