Schedule of Events 2026
BHAA Presents:
Rooted in Art: An Interactive Art Event
Saturday, April 18th | 12-4pm
Kick off the season with art and community! Join us Saturday, April 18 for Rooted in Art, presented by the Benton Harbor Arts Association, in the heart of the Benton Harbor Arts District.
At Water Street Glassworks, the studios will be buzzing with hands-on creativity and live demonstrations. Be part of our Community Art Project, try a Make & Take activity, enjoy refreshments, and get a first look at new work just released in the gallery.
Community Collaboration: From Pattern to Vessel:
Stop into Water Street Glassworks and take part in a one-of-a-kind collaborative glass experience. From 12–3pm, help design a vibrant 2-D glass pattern using colorful cane and murrine. Then, from 3–4pm, watch as our team of artists brings the design to life in the hot shop—transforming your flat pattern into a 3-D blown glass vessel right before your eyes.
The finished piece will be proudly displayed in our gallery as a reflection of the community’s creativity.
What is Cane & Murrine?
Cane is colored glass that has been stretched into rods and used later in glassmaking.
Murrine are cross-sections of those rods—revealing intricate patterns created through an age-old Venetian technique where bundles of cane are fused, stretched, and sliced to form detailed imagery within each piece.
WSG IN THE SPOTLIGHT!
PBS JOHN MCGIVERN'S MAINSTREET
We had a wonderful evening at the preview party hosted by the Box Factory for John McGivern’s Main Streets!
The episode highlights Southwest Michigan and features our Fired Up! students and instructors. Kamden a Fired Up! student and Gina our flameworking instructor, did a wonderful job, and we are so proud of the way they represented Water Street Glassworks and our creative community. It was a special experience to preview the show together as a team.
PBS visited WSG back in March, with filming following in June. The wait is finally over—the episode is now available to stream online, and we hope you’ll tune in and celebrate with us!
A sincere thank you to Visit Southwest Michigan for their hard work and dedication in making this opportunity possible and showcasing the vibrant arts community of our region.
WATCH HIGHLIGHT VIDEO - Including the fire-breathing dragon!
Fired Up! Student Exhibit and Reception
Thursday | January 22nd | 6:00-8:00 PM
Join us for a celebration of creativity at the Fired Up! Student Exhibition, featuring work by our talented Fired Up! teens alongside their instructors. Meet students, instructors, and alumni, enjoy live glassmaking demonstrations, light refreshments, and experience the power of mentorship and community through glass.
This special evening highlights the achievements of Benton Harbor teens participating in Fired Up!, Water Street Glassworks’ tuition-free after-school glass arts program—now in its 22nd year and recently expanded to two days per week.
Come support young artists, connect with our creative community, and celebrate the future of glass in Benton Harbor.
“It’s not just glass—it’s the community in which it exists.”
— Kamden, Fired Up! student
Holiday Auction - Support Fired Up!
Auction Closes: Sunday, December 15th - 11:59PM
Bid on Exciting Auction Items! Items include rare pieces generously donated from the collections of Barbara Pence and Co-Founder Kathy Catania. Every item tells a story of creativity, growth, and the lasting impact of arts education — offering bidders a chance to own a meaningful part of Fired Up! history. All proceeds directly support the Fired Up! Teen After-School Program.
BID NOW!
Holiday Open House!
Saturday | November 29th | 10am - 4pm
Enjoy refreshments, watch glassblowing, and shop for one-of-a-kind glass art and handmade gifts to brighten your holidays.
Hands-On Experiences:
Join our Family-Friendly Fused Glass Ornament Workshop. Create your own beautiful holiday decoration — perfect for adding a personal touch to your tree or gifting to someone special. Reserve your spot today!
Bid on Fired Up! auction items generously donated by supporters who have collected these works of art over the years! Your bids help sustain our tuition-free youth program and keep the fires burning for the next generation of glass artists. Stay tuned for details!
Come feel the warmth of the furnaces, the sparkle of the season, and the joy of creativity at Water Street Glassworks! We hope to see you there!
Celebrate the Season at the BHAA Holiday Art Hop!
Friday, December 12 | 5–8 PM
Join us in the Benton Harbor Arts District for an evening filled with creativity, community, and holiday cheer! This festive event is the perfect chance to check off those last-minute gifts while discovering unique, handcrafted treasures. And don’t forget—treat yourself to something special, too!
✨ At Water Street Glassworks:
Explore the gallery for one-of-a-kind holiday gifts. Enjoy live glassblowing demonstrations by our talented artists and festive refreshments.
✨ District-Wide Highlights:
Thanks to Clement Construction 🎉
🛷 The Jolly Trolly – Bringing visitors from St. Joe so even more people can enjoy the art, shops, and festive vibes downtown!
🎅 Santa in Thayer Park – Grab a cup of hot chocolate 🍫☕ and snap the perfect holiday photo!
Bring your friends and family and hop your way through the Arts District.
You won’t want to miss this magical night! Stay tuned for new additions to the schedule of events!
PREVIOUS EVENTS
Fired Up! Open House
Saturday | August 9th | 2-5pm
- Meet our student artists
- Learn more about the program
- Watch live glass demos in our studios
Pumpkin Harvest Party! - Fall Fundraiser
Thursday, August 28th | 5-8pm
We are excited to invite you to a special evening as we unveil our highly anticipated 2025 Glass Pumpkin Collection! Be among the first to "pick" from the patch, including a limited-edition pumpkin created by our talented artists to commemorate WSG's 21st Anniversary.
Proceeds from the evening support Water Street Glassworks. Join us in celebrating 21 years as an educational anchor in the Benton Harbor Arts District, bringing "fire arts" to the community.
The evening will feature:
- Silent Auction: Bid on unique glass pieces, experiences, and exciting items.
- Limited Edition Pumpkins: Don't miss out on the chance to be the first to own a limited edition pumpkin, crafted by our artists to commemorate WSG's 21st Anniversary!
- Glassblowing Demonstrations: Watch glass artists in action.
- Refreshments: Enjoy light bites and beverages as you pick from the patch and mingle.
As a nonprofit organization, WSG relies on the support from our patrons, generous donors, and sponsors which enables us to make the "fire arts" accessible to everyone. If you would like to be a sponsor, contact: Donna Sauers at donna@waterstreetglassworks.org or call 269.925.5555.
The Benton Harbor Arts Association presents: Children’s Art Fair!
Saturday, July 19th | 10am-2pm
Arts Park - Benton Harbor Arts District
Join us at the Children’s Art Fair July 19th for food, music, games, art and more!. The event aims to inspire and celebrate the artistic talents of students while providing a fun and engaging experience for attendees of all ages! Visit the Water Street Glassworks booth for flameworking demonstrations and information about our Fired Up! after school teen program. We look forward to seeing you!
The Benton Harbor Arts Association first hosted the Children’s Art Fair nearly 20 years ago. After a 10 year hiatus, the BHAA brought The Children’s Art Fair back to life in 2024. With over 20 vendors, live music, local artists and more than 1,000 attendees, they’re excited to bring the Benton Harbor Children's Art Fair back in 2025!