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Our Story
" Water Street Glassworks is a big city idea in your home town. We are here to satisfy your glass curiosity - classes, exhibitions and family fun." - Jerry Catania, Founder
Water Street Glassworks is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) school and public access studio, located in the Benton Harbor Arts District offering classes in the glass and metal arts, exhibitions, and events for all ages. Following nine years of building renovations and studio equipment construction combined, WSG opened its doors to the public in January 2004 and is an established educational anchor in the Benton Harbor Arts District. We create partnerships with other educational entities so that we can foster community renewal; renewal that stems from collaborating with other community arts programs.
I began working in glass as a part of the experimental beginnings of the now famous Pilchuck glass school. In the summer of 1972 I was accepted to be one of 30 students to work and study glass under the direction of Dale Chihuly and Fritz Dreisbach. The following year I returned home to Southwest Michigan and constructed my own private glass studio called Fiasco Glass, located in Stevensville. The word "fiasco" refers to the Italian, straw-wrapped wine bottles as well as the glass "seconds" sold in the streets. In 1990 I moved my studio 35 miles north of its original location to Glenn, Michigan, where I worked in a 19th-century barn studio and with my wife Kathy, turned the 1860’s farm house into Vesuvius Art Gallery. Read More >>
Where Fire and Creativity Meet
School, Studio, and Gallery Dedicated to the Glass and Metal Fire Arts
Our qualified instructors will guide you through the exciting learning process of working in the fire arts. Learn to blow or cast molten glass, weld and hammer metal, form glass beads over a torch or create a colorful expression of yourself in our fusing, and mosaic studios. Select from a variety of classes or schedule a private experience for your group. All studios are open year round. Experience a fiery new side of yourself at Water Street Glassworks! Learn More >
Fired Up! is an award-winning teen after-school program that combines art-making with entrepreneurship.
This in-depth program provides scholarships to teens each year and requires a two-year commitment. Students work from mid-September through mid-July in one of three different studios: glassblowing, kiln-fired glass and flame-working. Learn More >
The Dorris Akers Gallery is located in the Historic Hinkley Building. We are proud to represent talented artists, instructors, and staff who create their work in the Water Street Glassworks studios. The gallery features the "fire arts" including blown glass, fused glass, enamel and lampwork jewelry, and metal sculptures. The gallery is curated for the seasons and there is always something fresh and new. Sales from our gallery help keep the fires burning and a portion of your purchase goes towards Water Street Glassworks programming. Visit the Gallery >
