Final exhibition at closing glass centre underway
BBCThe final exhibition from the last cohort of glass and ceramics masters course is underway.
Two years ago the University of Sunderland announced that, as well as closing the National Glass Centre (NGC), it would be ending the glass and ceramics degrees in 2026.
Conclusion is being held alongside The Graduates in the main gallery.
Masters student Suzanne Smith, 41, said she felt "incredibly lucky" to have been able to experience the course, but it was "bittersweet" to be in the final exhibiton.
The NGC opened in 1998 and Smith said the facility helped cement Sunderland's place on a global stage.
"The Sunderland University legacy with glass and ceramics is incredible, especially glass," she said.
"There is so many world-known glassmakers that have a connection to Sunderland and as well as just the North East so it's going to be very, very strange that the facility is not going to be there"
'Other opportunities'
Smith moved to north-east England 20 years ago and said visiting the NGC got her into glass.
"I do feel incredibly lucky," she said.
"I came on a whim slightly, so to be able to complete my degree and do my masters is not something I ever thought I would do."
Despite the closure, Smith said she was feeling optimistic about glassmaking in Sunderland's future.
"As much as it's going to be horrendous to lose the National Glass Centre, I still feel that there's so many other opportunities in Sunderland and that will continue to be in Sunderland," Smith added, citing the Glassworks which is set to open in 2028.
"So I keep clutching onto that," she said.
"We're just trying to keep the community together and alive."
The university previously said it had explored options to relocate its glass and ceramics programme following the closure of the NGC but the costs, which it claimed were almost £10m, were too high.
"The university's board of governors concluded the course was no longer financially viable," a spokesperson said.
The final exhibition - Conclusion - will run until the building permanently closes at 15:00 BST on 31 July.
