The National Glass Centre in Sunderland opened its doors to the public for the first time on 20 June. The centre is the first new national institution in over a decade and is also the first major new building to have received significant funding from the National Lottery, through the Arts Council of England. Glassmaking is Sunderland's oldest industry, dating back to 674AD and some of the glass made then will be on show at the centre. The Kaleidoscope gallery will house permanent exhibitions and in one room the history of glassmaking will be told on a series of glass panels by the artist Bridget Jones. The centre will house other exhibitions and displays and visitors will have the chance to try glass blowing. Part of the site will be taken up by commercial factories. Heat generated by the furnaces will be used to warm the entire centre.
