Frequently Asked Questions

For current hours vist: Gallery and Office Hours

Water Street Glassworks:

140 Water Street, Benton Harbor Michigan

We are located in the Benton Harbor Arts District

269.925.5555

For current hours visit: Gallery and Office Hours

We encourage guests to watch glassblowing from our catwalk. During the day we may have classes and artists working in the hot shop and encourage you to watch the process. Let us know if you have any questions and we can explain the process. We love to share our passion for glass! Call ahead to see if there will be artists working in the hot shop when you are planning to visit. 

For current hours visit: Gallery and Office Hours

Yes!
You can purchase a gift certificate online! The recipient can use their gift towards classes, gallery merchandise, and studio rentals.

Our artists can help you commemorate a special event or loved one through an expression in glass. We will work with you to create a design, choose your colors that reflect the occasion or memory, and our skilled artists will  handcraft your piece.  Learn More

We are primarily a school and do not do repairs.  However, we may be able to suggest an artist based on your needs.

You can easily sign up and pay for classes online, call the office at 269,925,5555, or stop in the office to register.

For current hours visit: Gallery and Office hours

We offer several beginning classes in our studios that will introduce you to the various mediums and can help you choose a course. We offer glass experiences where an instructor will guide you through a specific project. It is a great way to try glass and also have a project to show your friends!

We post our experiences on our Facebook page and also sign up for our newsletter to ensure you receive priority notifications of our upcoming experiences and classes.

THE FOLLOWING SAFETY PRECAUTIONS APPLY TO ALL ARTISTS AND STUDENTS IN ALL WATER STREET GLASSWORKS CLASSES AND STUDIOS, REGARDELSS OF EXPERIENCE:

Our studios are sanitized and set up for social distancing. We require masks and ask that you follow our sanitation protocols.

Protective eyewear is required and provided. Presciption eyeglasses are acceptable.

Wear only natural fiber fabrics; 100% cotton is recommended.

Long pants/jeans are required. No Shorts.

Wear long sleeved shirts or short sleeves with arm protection. Kevlar sleeves are provided.

Wear closed toed, non-skid shoes and socks. No sandals.

No jewelry or acrylic nails allowed.

Long hair must be tied back

Parking and entrance to studios are in the back of the building.

The age minimums for classes are based on the medium. 

Glassblowing: Ages 15+

Glass Fusing: Ages 12+

Flameworking/Beadmaking Ages 12+

Metal Classes: 15+

Jewelry and Light Metals 12+

Cancellations made at least one week prior to the class will be fully refunded. Cancellations made the week of the class will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours prior to the class will not be refunded.

If WSG cancels a class you will recieve a full refund.

For more information see Policies.

If a class is cancelled by Water Street Glassworks we will issue you a refund.  We reserve the right to cancel, reschedule or adjust class levels according to demand and we will notify you as soon as we have information.

Fired Up! after-school teen glass program, home school classes, adult programming and events will be cancelled when Benton Harbor Area Schools close due to winter weather conditions.

Please listen to 98.3 the Coast or watch WSBT-TV Channel 22 for Benton Harbor to be listed under school closings.

If you have completed a glassblowing level but still feel a little behind we offer tutoring. We will work with you one-on-one to determine where you are having the most difficulty and help you improve your skills.

Contact Eli Zilke at 269.925,5555 or contact us to schedule.

Tutoring sessions are $100/hr

Water Street Glassworks is also a public access studio and currently offers studio time in our Glassblowing, Fusing and Mosaic Arts, Flameworking, and Metal studios. 

Rentals are by appointment and sign-up is required no less than one day prior. We are not a drop in studio and payment is due at sign-up. Contact our Studio Manager, Jordan Rose at jordan@waterstreetglassworks.org or 269.925.5555 to schedule studio rental at least 1 day in advance.

For more information about our studios and rentals visit  Studio Rentals

If you have a group (currently maximum 6) and would like to schedule a tour of our studios and gallery, we have several options to choose from so you can customize your experience.  For More information, or to schedule an event for your school or organization, contact the office at 269.925.5555 or use our Contact Us form to submit information about your event.

TOURS AND DEMOS:

Tours: Free

Glassblowing Demo: $35 - Includes a 30-minute demonstration and question period.

Flameworking (Beadmaking) Demo: $35 - Includes 30-minute demonstration and question period.

For more information visit Tours & Demos

We will work with you to meet your groups needs and scheduling is based on the availability of our studios. Contact the office at 269.925.5555  during office hours or use the Contact Us form and we will be happy to assist you.

For current hours visit: Gallery and Office Hours

Our tours are approximately 30 mins and include a history of Water Street Glassworks, and a tour of the glassblowing, fusing, flameworking, and metal studios. To enhance your experience you can add a glassblowing or flameworking demo for an additional fee. Learn More)

Our demos are 30 mins and include time for Q&A. Enhance your groups experience by adding a tour of our gallery and studios. ($20 flat fee plus $1 per person) Learn More

Please note that our glassblowing studio is closed June - August so we are unable to offer demos during the summer months. The fameworking studio is open throughout the year and available for demos.

The fee for the demo does not include the demonstration piece. However, if you are interested in purchasing the piece, please inquire with the artist after the demo. 

Private Parties:

We can make your next gathering extra special this year! Let us host your next event with a hands-on glass art-making experience tailored to your group. We can accommodate groups of 4 minimum (currently maximum 6); ages 10+. 

Our studios are sanitized(link to Event Experience Plan) and set up for social distancing. We require masks and ask that you follow our sanitation protocols.

Choose a project from our Fusing, Beadmaking, and Glassblowing options. (Learn More)

Corporate Events & Team Building:

Water Street Glassworks offers unique opportunities for team-building and group camaraderie in our studios. Get to know your colleagues while participating in a hands-on artmaking project for you or your office. We will help you plan an exciting experience that will make a lasting impression.
(Learn More)

At this time we can accommodate a maximum of 6 in a group (minimum 4)

Our studios are sanitized and set up for social distancing. We require masks and ask that you follow our sanitation protocols.

Water Street Glassworks offers unique opportunities for team-building and group camaraderie in our studios. Get to know your colleagues while participating in a hands-on art-making project for you or your office. We will help you plan an exciting experience that will make a lasting impression. (Learn More)

At this time we can accommodate groups of 4 (maximum). 

Our studios are sanitized(link to Event Experience Plan) and set up for social distancing. We require masks and ask that you follow our sanitation protocols.

We will work with your group to schedule a date and time that meets your needs. We offer day and evening parties and our scheduling is based on studio and instructor availability. Contact the office at 269.925.555 (Wed-Sun 11am - 5pm) or use the Contact Us form and we will be happy to assist you.

For current hours visit: Gallery and Office Hours

The minimum age for our parties is 10 years of age with projects in our fusing studio. For parties with ages 12+ we can suggest projects in our fusing and beadmaking studios. To participate in our glassblowing projects the minimum age is 15.

We will work with you to choose appropriate projects for the ages in your group. 

We require a minimum of 4 people to schedule a private glass experience. At this time (due to safety protocols) we can accommodate a maximum of 6 people (ages 10+) and will work with you to create an event that meets your needs.

We offer several projects to choose from for private parties. The group will make the same project, but since we do not use "patterns", each person will be able to personalize their piece. 

To ensure we have the appropriate supplies and instructor, projects need to be finalized a week before your event. We can help you choose a project based on the age group and event. 

A 50% deposit is required when we finalize the date of your event and the balance is due 1 week prior.

Your pieces will be available for pick up 1 week after your party. This allows time for us to fire your pieces in the kiln or anneal blown glass pieces. If you are working in the bead studio you will be able to take home your projects the day of the party.

If you would like to bring refreshments and food it needs to be handled by your team. Please let us know so we can work that into the preparations for your event. We don't offer catering, but can make suggestions of local establishments.