By Staff
BENTON HARBOR – Registration for glass classes at Water Street Glassworks located at 140-142 Water Street, Benton Harbor will begin Jan. 5, 2009.
Adults and teens can choose from beginning, intermediate or advanced glassblowing, glass fusing or beadmaking. Sessions meet afternoons, evenings and weekends beginning Jan. 21 and continuing into April.
New and old workshops are offered. In the Build a Necklace one-day workshop Saturday, March 14, glass artist Becky Wehmer and jewelry designer Angela Caldwell teach students to design and make glass beads then fashion them into a necklace using cord or wire. A Taste of Glass Jan. 25 is a returning favorite where participants try their creative hand at the "sampler platter," making one paperweight, several beads and two fused glass pieces. Instructors Jerry Catania, Becky Wehmer and Carolyn O'Hearn are the guides through this fascinating adventure.
Super Value Valentine Saturday, Feb. 7 provides something for anyone who wants to make a truly unique gift for a special person infused with hearts, flowers, ribbons and more. Experienced glassblowers can make paperweight, or glass eye candy (a goblet, vase or candy dish). Students with no experience can lock their love between sheets of fused glass in a valentine, suncatcher, pendant, votive or nightlight. Or in a class to warm your "beading heart" participants spend a winter day thinking thoughts of love and springtime while learning to design and decorate beads with hearts and flowers. Take two workshops in a day and get double the fun.
In Spin to Win, March 7, students use the principle of centrifugal force to create beautiful platters and bowls. Glass Flowers is lead by visiting artist Barbara Yerace on March 21. Students with beginning glassblowing experience will learn to create hand-blown and pinched flowers. Saturday and Sunday, April 4 and 5 master glassblower Jody Fine and his alter-ego Captain Marble will demonstrate the mysterious art of marble-making.
"There's something for everyone," says Glassworks Executive Director Dorris Akers. "We are happy to offer a broad selection of fun, exciting classes to make winter a creative adventure."
Water Street Glassworks is a Michigan non-profit organization located in Benton Harbor's Arts District. Contact 269-925-5555 or check out the website and/or download a class schedule: www.waterstreetglassworks.org.