Amy Whittingham unveils Diamond River cast glass artwork for NHS wellbeing centre

<p>Morning light moves through a river of pale blue recycled glass, throwing shifting diamonds of colour across the paving. Set within a rusted, laser-cut steel framework, <em>Diamond River</em> is a contemporary interpretation of stained glass, rooted in place, tactile to the touch, and alive to Dartmoor’s weather and the rhythms of community life.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Inspired by consultations with hospital staff and the public, <em>Diamond River</em> draws on three anchors of place:</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>The River Ashburn</strong> – flowing from Dartmoor through Ashburton to the River Dart at Buckfastleigh.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>St Lawrence Chapel</strong> – its diamond-paned stained glass and architectural details.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Buckfast Abbey’s Dalle de Verre</strong> – reimagined with modern, sustainable materials.</p></li></ul>

<p>Each glass texture is a direct impression taken from a site, object or surface in Ashburton and its surroundings; fragments of shared history, daily life and natural detail. These include Heytor Rocks, St Peter’s ‘lucky toe’ at Buckfast Abbey, the town crest teasel, a local skate park, and more.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Textures were cast in recycled light blue glass using mould-making processes in Arts University Plymouth’s<a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/facilities/materials-lab"> Materials Lab</a>. The glass was purchased from the university after being recycled in the hot glass studio from end-of-year colours and scrap glass, and re-melted to create the distinctive blue hue. Amy cast the pieces in her studio at Flameworks before returning to Arts University Plymouth’s glass studio, where specialist equipment was used to cut, grind and polish the casts so that they fitted precisely into the steel framework.</p> <p dir="ltr">Amy’s collage drawings were digitised by Ian Hankey, Fab Lab Principal Technician at Arts University Plymouth, whose expertise in CAD CAM and glassmaking transformed the designs into precision templates for laser-cut steel. Ian’s decades of experience, spanning master glassmaking, sustainable practice, and digital fabrication, were instrumental in realising the technical and aesthetic ambitions of the project.<br /></p>

<p>The artwork showcases recycled materials and low-impact making, preserving local heritage in a durable, repairable structure.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/people/amy-whittingham">Amy Whittingham</a> studied BA (Hons) Applied Arts (Glass and Metals) at Arts University Plymouth and an MA in Glass at the University of Sunderland. She works across cast glass sculpture and jewellery, with a practice rooted in texture and place.</p>

<p dir="ltr"><em>Diamond River</em> offers moments of reflection, curiosity and calm for all who pass through the Centre, embedding the spirit of Ashburton in its entrance.</p> <p><strong>Professor Stephen Felmingham, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Arts University Plymouth, said:</strong> “Amy’s commission shows the depth of expertise our staff bring into the studio every day. Students working alongside her in the Materials Lab gain first-hand insight into professional practice, sustainable making, and the transformation of local heritage into contemporary craft. It’s this direct connection between experienced makers and emerging talent that makes our courses so distinctive.”</p>

<p>Find out more about studying glass and material practices at Arts University Plymouth, including our <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-craft-material-practices">BA (Hons) Craft &amp; Material Practices</a> degree and <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/study/postgraduate">postgraduate</a> opportunities. You can also book an <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/open-days">Open Day</a> to explore our specialist facilities and discover what makes our creative community unique.</p>