A Celebration of Dry Run

For over twenty-five years, Dry Run has marked a defining moment in the creative development of second-year BA Artist Designer Maker students in Glass and Ceramics at the University of Sunderland. Held annually at the Shipley Art Gallery and Museum, the exhibition has introduced generations of emerging artists from the UK and beyond, offering a vivid insight into new directions in contemporary material practice. 

A Celebration of Dry Run brings this legacy into focus, presenting the work of thirty artists who have previously exhibited at the Shipley through Dry Run. This exhibition not only honours the creativity and technical excellence long associated with the programme, but also invites audiences to reconnect with the evolving practices of its graduates and staff. The works on display demonstrate a sustained and passionate engagement with glass and ceramics—where material, concept, and craftsmanship intersect to produce thoughtful and distinctive artistic expressions. Together, they reveal a breadth of ideas, approaches, and refined technical achievements. 

By bringing together artists at different stages of their careers, this exhibition highlights the enduring role of Dry Run as both a platform and a point of departure. The Shipley Art Gallery continues to provide an essential professional context in which artists can test, present, and expand their work, supporting the transition from education into sustained artistic practice. 

The strength of this legacy is reflected in the achievements of Sunderland’s graduates, many of whom have established themselves as influential artists, designers, and educators across Europe, Australia, the United States, and beyond. Their continued success underscores the significance of the programme within the international field of glass and ceramics.