Time for Tea

29 Feb-5 July 2020 This exhibition presents handmade tableware created at National Glass Centre by individuals from Veterans in Crisis with support from artists who specialise in glass and ceramics. The exhibits are part of an ongoing project that will culminate in a celebratory banquet where the veterans, their friends and family and the artists will sit together to share conversation and food served in the tableware made throughout the project. The aim of the project is to celebrate and explore how creative activities and regular social interactions can promote health and wellbeing. it forms 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 group have experiences a range of ceramic and glass making techniques including glass blowing, making tumblers and serving platters, lampworking, making straws, candlesticks and name plates, bowls and cups. The veterans have worked with artists Mary Watson, Zoe Garner, Michael Emmott, Robert Winter and the National Glass Centre Studio Team. This project is delivered through a collaboration between National Glass Centre, University of Sunderland and Veterans in Crisis, a Sunderland based social enterprise which 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. Funding for the research project was awarded by the Armed Forces Covenant Local Grants programme