2019 - 2020
A glass and ceramics and health and wellbeing project with National Glass Centre, University of Sunderland and Sunderland based social enterprise, Veterans in Crisis.
During the project, individuals from Veterans in Crisis worked with artists who specialise in glass and ceramics to make a range of unique handmade tableware. The Time for Tea exhibition showcased some of the items made by the veterans and their families in creative workshops at National Glass Centre. All the items created were made to be used; to eat from, share food and share conversation.
The group learnt a range of techniques; hot glass blowing, ceramic slab building, lampworking, ceramic wheel throwing and hand-built ceramics. Items produced included lampworked glass straws, candlesticks and name places, wheel-thrown ceramic plates, bowls and cups, ceramic coil pots and bowls, hand and slab-built ceramic mess tins, bowls and plates, and hot glass-blown tumblers and serving platters.
The project aimed to celebrate and explore how creative activities and regular social interactions can promote health and wellbeing. It formed part of a research project in collaboration with Veterans in Crisis and Sunderland Clinical Commissioning Group, led by Dr Yitka Graham, Head of the Helen McArdle Nursing and Care Research Institute and Associate Professor in Health Services Research at the University of Sunderland.
The veterans worked with artists Mary Watson, Zoe Garner, Michael Emmott, National Glass Centre Studio Team and Robert Winter.
Funding for the research project was awarded by the Armed Forces Covenant Local Grants programme.
Veterans in Crisis is a Sunderland based social enterprise that aims to get veterans in crisis back on their feet.
The University of Sunderland has been awarded the prestigious platinum partner status by Veterans in Crisis Sunderland
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This virtual tour was made by Art Matters Now