Glass making in the North East of England has a long history and the region has become an important European centre for creative glass. Glass North East presents an overview of contemporary glass in the region and includes information on practice, production and commissioning.

Artist’s projects are covered with sections on the traditional areas of hot glass, architectural glass and kiln. Illustrated artworks are contextualised by artist’s statements, text and six critical essays. Aspects of the changing visual landscape, such as, high production costs, the green agenda, the market place and the use of new technology are addressed.

The activities of the main players are described: the artists and artists’ groups notably, Cohesion, the glass artists’ organisation; the National Glass Centre, Sunderland, with its national role, exhibition and public presence; and the University of Sunderland with its large staff, programmes, unique facilities and its vital graduate stream. The open access Higher Education production and research model is also explored