Remembering Dorris

REMEMBERING DORRIS

It is with great sadness that the Board of Directors and staff of Water Street Glassworks remember Dorris Akers, our first Executive Director. We are forever grateful for her leadership, creativity, and the lasting impact she made on our organization and the community we serve.

Dorris brought a wealth of nonprofit leadership experience to Water Street Glassworks, having served as the first and longtime Director of the South Haven Maritime Museum. Joining the organization as its first Executive Director, she built upon the founders' vision and the programs in place by securing the funding and resources needed to sustain and grow Water Street Glassworks. She also seated the inaugural Board of Directors, helping establish the governance and support that positioned Water Street Glassworks for long-term success.

An accomplished artist herself, Dorris brought a unique creative perspective to her leadership. Her solo exhibition, The Glass Garden and Other Whimsies, featured imaginative found-object artwork using glass as the primary medium. In recognition of her lasting impact, Water Street Glassworks proudly named its gallery the Dorris Akers Gallery.

Dorris also believed in bringing people together through shared experiences. Her love of food inspired the first Extinguish the Fire fundraiser, bringing together glass, food, and community for an unforgettable evening that became a signature part of Water Street Glassworks' history.

Her commitment to community extended beyond the walls of Water Street Glassworks. Dorris was instrumental in the Jean Klock Park Mosaic Panel Project, where students from the Fired Up! teen after-school program created 32 Italian glass tile mosaics installed at Jean Klock Park. The project remains a lasting testament to her belief in the power of public art, youth engagement, entrepreneurial experience, and creative collaboration.

Those who knew Dorris will also remember her vibrant and unmistakable sense of style. She had a joyful appreciation for bright colors, especially yellow and orange, which reflected the warmth, creativity, and optimism she brought to every endeavor.

Dorris' leadership and passion for the arts left a lasting mark on Water Street Glassworks. Her influence lives on through the programs she championed, the gallery that bears her name, and the countless artists, students, volunteers, and community members whose lives she touched. We are forever grateful for Dorris' many contributions to Water Street Glassworks. Her creativity, generosity, and unwavering belief in the transformative power of the arts will never be forgotten.

As we remember Dorris, we celebrate a life dedicated to the arts, education, and community. We are honored to carry forward the foundation she helped build. She will be deeply missed.