| Grainne reflects on her dream career
 From
a child’s love of Irish dancing to working on giant opera sets in
the US, second-generation Irish woman GRAINNE SWEENEY has always loved
the arts. Now she’s the creative director of Britain’s National
Glass Centre. Brendan Farrell hears her story.
IT’S been known since the time of the ancient Egyptians, has told
Biblical stories in countless churches and is still an essential part
of our lives.
So familiar are we with it that most of us probably never stop to give
it a second thought.
But step through the doors of a centre in the North-East of England and
the fascinating story of glass comes to life.
And spend some time with its creative director Grainne Sweeney and that
story becomes even more absorbing.
For its here in modern-day Sunderland that the National Glass Centre charts
the history of what most of us often take for granted.
It’s a fitting location as not far away on the River Wear stands
St. Peter’s Church home to the first stained-glass window made by
craftsmen from Gaul in AD 674.
Bishop Biscop Abbot of the new monastery at Wearmouth invited them to
make the windows for the church.
And during the following century the monastery made contact with other
glassmakers throughout Europe and Wearside became one of the earliest
glassmaking centres in Britain.
Even in the 1600s, due to the plentiful supply of coal in the region,
Wearside was firmly established as one of Britain’s finest glassmaking
areas.
It’s no wonder then that when plans were made to establish the
country’s National Glass Centre Sunderland was chosen the very first
major National Lottery award recipient in North-East England.
The design is striking and ultra modern with fittingly the exterior and interior
made of large glass panels so on even the dullest of days the overall
feeling is a warm glow.
The centre houses galleries, artist studios, a craft and design centre
and a regular programme of exhibitions and educational events.
The overall idea is to provide opportunities for people to be creative,
enjoy themselves and feel inspired.
It’s here Grainne Sweeney works.
One of five girls she was born in Leicester of Irish parents her father
Charles from Dublin and her mother Anne from Balbriggan.
Grainne’s early years saw her enjoy a stint of Irish dancing but
her love of art won through.
She spent one year at a foundation course at Loughborough Art College
followed by a three-year Fine Art degree at Newcastle-upon-Tyne Polytechnic.
Grainne says: “At that stage I had no plans for a grand career.
I had the luxury of a full grant which bought me time.
“Throughout my degree I never considered what I would do after.
“I had at one stage hoped to complete an MA but changed my mind
and flew out to Seattle where I stayed for a time with a friend.”
It was here her artistic talents were recognised by the Seattle Opera
Company when she worked on set paintings and backdrops.
The sets were so big Grainne had to work in an aircraft hanger.
Eventually Grainne returned to Britain and moved to Hammersmith in London
where she met her husband-to-be Dennis who at that time worked as a sound
engineer for the Irish-owned Mean Fiddler music organisation.
They married in 1995 and now have two sons, Patrick and Joseph.
They later moved to Newcastle and after a series of jobs Grainne was appointed
creative director at the National Glass Centre in 2005.
She says: “Looking back I suppose art projects are the only thing
I’ve ever considered.
“I like working with artists and I like producing new work whether
it be a painting, publication or an exhibition.
“This building is fantastic stunning architecture and views. It’s
a fabulous opportunity for me to develop an exciting creative programme
that puts the building on an international stage.”
Some of Grainne’s family still live in the Dublin area and her
most recent visit was to join in a family celebration for their great
aunt May Sweeney’s 100th birthday.
This was the first visit to Ireland for Patrick and Joseph and they
later said that the highlight of the trip was walking on the beach at
Balbriggan.
When she does find time to relax Grainne says she is not averse to listening
to Country and Irish music and lists among her favourite authors legendary
crime writers Elmore Leonard and George Simenon.
Grainne often has to travel abroad to cast her expert eye over any possible
future exhibitions.
Last year she was in Vienna to see the work of Australian artist Lynette
Wallworth.
The exhibition The Evolution Of Fearlessness so bowled Grainne over that
Lynette’s stunning work is at the National Glass Centre this month.
In March on St. Patrick’s Day itself the centre ran a Mother’s
Day Workshop giving parents a fun day out.
Visitors were able to select a mould pattern and then watch as the glassblowing
team poured molten glass into their creation to make an ideal Mother’s
Day gift.
If you ever have the chance to visit the centre don’t miss it.
Admission is free and tickets allow an unhurried guide through the centre.
n National Glass Centre, Liberty Way, Sunderland SR6 OGL Tel: 0191
515 5555
E-mail: infor@nationalglasscentre.com
Web: www.nationalglasscentre.com
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday,
10am-5pm
Admission: Free |
