National Glass Centre

The National Glass Centre, is delivering the next Critical Conversation on behalf of ArtWorks North East/University of Sunderland.

Hosted by the National Glass Centre, this event will feature respected glass artist, curator, educator and facilitator Effie Burns who will be sharing her wealth of experience as a leader of participatory arts projects.

Please note that due to major redevelopment work at the National Glass Centre this event will be held at The Gateway building, Chester Road, University of Sunderland (no. 19 on the campus map)

Venue: Room 4 – Gateway, University of Sunderland

Date: Thursday 21 Feb 6-8pm
Hosts: National Glass Centre
Chair: Cate Watkinson
Speakers: Effie Burns

Biography: Effie Burns

Since establishing my business in 1999 I have had a very entrepreneurial approach to my career. Alongside my core practice working on public art commissions I have also been a visiting lecturer on the MA Glass course at the University of Sunderland. My creative perspective working as an artist, curator, educator and facilitator has given me many strengths and an in depth sector knowledge.

I have also taken a number of key roles in the development of the cultural sector both regionally and nationally. In 2000 I established Cobalt Studios with three other designer makers. As well as providing high quality creative studio space and opportunities for pooling resources, Cobalt aims to take creative practices out of isolation and generate a forum for dialogue, events and collaborations.

This collaboration allowed me to work in new ways. Cobalt developed and delivered several projects for Creative Partnerships. These diverse projects ranged from creating a mobile museum to archive the history of one school to an exhibition of temporary architecture. My strength is working with people. It is their engagement with the creative process that allows my work to continually develop. This participatory way of working is a thread that runs through the diverse range of things that I do and has radically changed my approach. I am currently working with a group of young people on a project with Newcastle library and the British Library.