Water Street Glassworks is a proud participant in the Berrien Springs Partnership Program. We offer classes in Glassblowing and Glass Beadmaking. Our qualified instructors will guide students through the exciting learning process of working in the fire arts. Students can learn how to blow molten glass, and form glass beads over a torch.
Advanced Glassblowing
This exciting four-week class is designed to expand on knowledge previously learned in our Beginning Glassblowing class. Students will learn how to use the methods and processes of glassblowing to safely shape molten glass into vessels and sculptural artworks. The class will continue learning glass blowing techniques and move into adding, manipulating and layering color to create a series of work. This class requires a Prerequisite of Beginning Glassblowing class in order to participate. Previous experience necessary. (No experience required. Ages 15+)
Thursdays (4 week class) 11:00am- 3:00pm. 4 weeks
First class date: January 20, 2025
Instructor: Eli Zilke
Eli Zilke began glassblowing at the age of 12 as a student in Water Street Glasswork’s FIRED UP! After-school program. He eventually became a studio tech and teaching assistant under Jerry Catania, founder of Water Street Glassworks. Eli assumed role of Studio Manager and primary Glassblowing
Instructor in 2018.
Taste of Glass
Have you wanted to experience the fire arts but aren't sure what to try first? This studio "sampler" workshop will provide you with the opportunity to try your hand at several glass projects in three studios: Glassblowing, Fusing, Flameworked beads (No experience necessary, ages 12+)
Thursdays 11:00am-3:00pm. 4 weeks beginning January 23, 2025
Instructors: Eli Zilke & Gina Edwards
Beginning Flameworking: Soft Glass - Marble Mania
This dynamic four-week class is designed to introduce novice students to the art of marble making in soft glass. Students will design and create marbles with use of a propane & oxygen torch. Students will learn design techniques, color application and sculpting to form glass into various size marbles. Each class session is tailored to the skill level of the students. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. (No experience necessary, Ages 12+)
Thursdays (4 week session) 11:00am- 3:00pm
First class date: February 20, 2025
Instructor: Gina Edwards
Gina Edwards has been working as a glass artist for over 20 years, and has been a Fused Glass and Beadmaking instructor at Water Street Glassworks for 13 years.
**Mandatory Class Orientation: January 23rd at 11am. Must attend orientation in order to attend February class sessions.
Registration closes Friday, December 13th at 5pm. Visit the Berrien Springs Partnership Program website for more information and registration dates.
If you have questions about the courses, program, or registration, contact the office at 269.925.5555 or contact officemanager@waterstreetglassworks.org
Berrien Springs Partnership Program
This a free program paid for by your tax dollars and generously provided and supported by Berrien Springs Public Schools. Because BSPS is a district of choices, we offer all students an array of options. The Partnership is available to district students, homeschool students from Berrien, Cass and VanBuren counties, and in-district (Berrien Springs residents) private school students.
Students, grades K-12, sign up as part-time Berrien Springs students. According to HSLDA (Homeschool Legal Defense Association), homeschoolers retain their status as homeschool students as long as parents provide 51% of the students' total education including all core subjects: language arts (reading, spelling, English grammar, writing, literature), arithmetic, science, history, and federal and state government. The school district receives tax dollars and in turn provides extremely valuable and fun non-core (elective) educational opportunities families might not otherwise be able to enjoy.
Visit the Berrien Springs Partnership Program website for more information and registration dates.