ABOUT US
MEET THE TEAM
Passionate. Creative. Committed.
At Water Street Glassworks, we’re united by a shared passion for the glass arts—and the joy of bringing that passion to our community. We’re artists, instructors, marketers, and creatives who proudly “wear many hats” (occasionally even the festive kind!).
What connects us most is our belief in the mission of WSG. That commitment inspires us to design innovative classes, build meaningful programs, create exciting products, and host memorable events. Whether you're a student, patron, artist, or community member, our goal is to offer an inspiring and unforgettable experience every time you walk through our doors.
We value your input—your ideas and feedback help us grow. Please feel free to reach out anytime.
Donna Sauers
Executive Director
Donna is honored to serve as the Executive Director of Water Street Glassworks and to carry forward the vision its founders set in motion when they opened the doors 21 years ago. With extensive experience in marketing, product development, strategic planning, and customer experience, she brings a blend of creativity and operational insight—supporting the organization’s growth, and long-term sustainability.
Donna relocated from the Chicago suburbs in 2017 specifically to become involved with WSG. Her professional experience spans several respected organizations—including The Bradford Exchange, Quill Corporation (Staples), FTD.com, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the Worldwide Fistula Fund—where she developed a versatile skill set across leadership, creative direction, and mission-driven work.
In addition to her corporate and nonprofit experience, Donna spent more than 10 years as a full-time artist, bringing valuable creative insight to the studios and the FIRED UP! program.
Her connection to WSG is deeply personal:
“My friendship with the founders, Jerry and Kathy Catania, goes back many years. I watched them build Water Street Glassworks from the ground up and pour their hearts into the FIRED UP! teen program. Being entrusted to steward that legacy is something I hold with deep respect and gratitude.”
Today, Donna is committed to ensuring WSG remains a vibrant, inclusive space where creativity thrives and the transformative power of the glass arts continues to enrich the Benton Harbor community.
Eli Zilke
Instructor, Production Designer
During this time HSV installed several large architectural installations and supplied over a dozen galleries across the region. In 2018 I returned to Water Street to assume the position of Studio Manager/Production Designer as well as the core glassblowing instructor. I hope to launch the passions of new generations of glassblower for years to come.
Jordan Rose
Instructor, Fired Up! Coordinator, Studio Manager, Instructor
Jordan Rose grew up in Saint Joseph, MI and earned her BFA in Crafts with a focus on glass from College for Creative Studies in Detroit, MI. Before joining Water Street Glassworks as an instructor and artist Jordan blew glass for the Glass Academy based in Dearborn, MI, and for the Henry Ford Museum as a member of their hot shop. One of the highlights of her time at the Henry Ford was the opportunity to work with artists Janusz Pozniak, Mark Petrovic, and Paul Stankard. Sharing her enthusiasm for glass blowing is one of Jordan’s favorite parts of teaching glassblowing classes and experiences at WSG. She loves that every encounter in the hot shop is a new opportunity to create beautiful art and fall in love with blowing glass.
Lexi Ziebarth
Studio Assistant
Lexi Ziebarth has been with WSG since she was first able to take classes at 12 years old! She continued her glass work through our Fired Up! program during her high school years and is now enrolled at Grand Valley State University to study ceramics. Altogether that is 10 years of fusing experience and five years working in the blowing shop. She has returned to WSG to assist in our glass blowing and fusing studios. Now Lexi runs our SPARK volunteer program and contributes work to our gallery with blown and fused art works.
Kamden White
Studio Assistant
Kamden began his glass journey at the age of 12 in the Fired Up! Teen After School Program and joined the WSG team in 2025. “When I first saw what was possible with glass, I fell in love. Glass will always have a special place in my heart so I am grateful for the opportunities that I have been presented through glass. Water Street Glassworks has been a great avenue to explore my creativity and even create long lasting relationships with people.”
"It’s not just glass, but it’s the community in which it exists."
Gina Edwards
Instructor, Cardea Beads
For as long as she can remember Gina Edwards has liked to create things. It wasn't until she discovered the joy of melting glass that she finally felt she could be an artist. "Glass is such a satisfying and unique media to work with," she says. "There is always a new technique to try, or I'll see something that sparks an idea. I've been working with glass for 18 years and it continues to inspire and challenge me." Gina has been teaching at Water Street Glassworks for several years. She has a relaxed and enthusiastic teaching style that she hopes conveys her passion to her students. "Working with the torches and molten glass can be intimidating at first. I believe my relaxed style helps the student get past that so they can focus on the glass and experience the joy that comes with working with it." Gina has been experimenting with mixed media art pieces - creating with re-purposed wood, metal, paper, and fiber. She believes that anything has the potential to be an art supply. "But," she says with a laugh, "it almost always comes back to glass."
Gina lives in Sodus with her husband. She has a glass art studio where she meets with people by appointment.
Karen Nason
Office Manager
Karen Nason joined Water Street Glassworks in November 2024. A Niles, Michigan native, Karen spent more than 25 years in the Chicago area building a strong career in association management before returning to Southwest Michigan in 2018.
A longtime supporter of the arts, Karen has explored multiple glass disciplines at WSG—including fusing, beadmaking, and stained glass—which deepened her love for the medium and its creative possibilities.
She is delighted to be part of the Water Street Glassworks team and especially enjoys welcoming visitors and witnessing the excitement of people experiencing the magic of glass art for the first time.
Jenny Waters
Gallery Manager, Development Coordinator
Jenny moved to SW Michigan in 2018 from Illinois and is the newest member of the Water Street Glassworks team, joining us as the Gallery Manager/ Development Coordinator. Coming to us with a vibrant background in administration, business and operations management, grant writing, event coordination, and fundraising in the nonprofit arts sector. She held previous positions as the Operations Coordinator for the Box Factory for the Arts, the Administrative Director for ARS Gallery, Arts and Culture Center and was the Board Secretary and on the Marketing Committee for the Benton Harbor Arts Association.
She brings passion for fostering creativity and deep appreciation for community engagement. Over the years, she’s honed her skills in managing projects, securing funding, and cultivating meaningful relationships. Her experience includes collaborating with teams, crafting compelling grant proposals, and developing fundraising strategies that resonate with donors and sponsors. Jenny is committed to the arts, striving to make a meaningful impact through her efforts in supporting local art, creative projects and the WSG mission.
“My commitment to enriching art and cultural experiences in our community inspires me. I aim to make a lasting impact in the arts landscape, championing the creative spirit that connects us all.”
Patrice Rose
Bookkeeper
Patrice joined Water Street Glassworks in February 2023 and came to us having worked in the non-profit sector for more than 30 years, with an extensive background in administration, banking and management. She attended both Lake Michigan College and Kalamazoo Valley College. Patrice has a unique perspective on many aspects of our operations at WSG due to her diverse background in various non-profits. Patrice is also the St. Joseph Township Clerk and a lifelong resident of the area. She resides in St. Joseph with her husband Nick.
Becky Wehmer
Instructor
Becky Wehmer is an artist, teacher and cook, who moved to Southwest Michigan in 1999, six years after her first glass class at Ox-Bow School of Art and Artists Residency, with Kathy and Jerry Catania. Becky discovered an Ox-Bow catalog while attending The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and noticed they offered glass blowing classes. Becky had been mesmerized by glass art since an early age when her grandparents took her to the Corning Museum of glass each summer, and the opportunity to learn the craft herself felt predestined. Wehmer became a regular at Ox-Bow, returning each summer for classes and volunteer jobs. During that time, her love of glass, Michigan, and The Catania’s vision for what would be Water Street Glassworks grew, so she moved here to be part of it. She learned along the way, and was given the opportunity to teach as well as administrate. “In the beginning, we all kinda did everything”, says Wehmer. Becky’s art practice now includes glass as well as ceramics to make mostly functional work, and she is grateful to still be involved in the evolved school that WSG has become.