Dreaming of cooler weather and Autumn activities, Water Street Glassworks introduces their Pumpkin Preview for their Fall Fundraiser on Thursday, September 8th. Join local artists, glass lovers, and supporters of the arts, at 140 Water Street in Benton Harbor, from 5 p.m to 8 p.m.
This event kicks off the harvest season in the Arts District, and debuts the 2022 collection of ‘homegrown’ handcrafted glass pumpkins. Tickets cost only $20 per person, and includes refreshments, glassblowing demonstrations, and a Silent Auction that features items and wares from other local businesses.
“This is our first year launching a Pumpkin Preview, but the sale of our pumpkins is always our Fall Fundraiser. We sell out of pumpkins every year!” says Donna Sauers of WSG. Peat’s Cider and Ben’s Soft Pretzels will provide snacks and beverages throughout the evening, allowing attendees to taste consumable art while perusing the new color palettes of pumpkins so wonderfully created by the artists.
“The new palettes include jewel tones and autumnal variations for the season; cool blues with sparkly effects, rich amethyst, lush greens, golden amber, and fiery reds round out the harvest this year,” says Water Street Glassworks. Their lead glassblower, Eli Zilke, is the primary pumpkin producer, though with help of the WSG team, the harvest is prolific. Each pumpkin is unique, limited edition, and everlasting!
One hundred percent of pumpkin sales will go directly to Water Street Glassworks, aiding to fund the plethora of programs the gallery offers to the community. Their after-school program for Benton Harbor teens, Fired Up!, offers three different classes for students ages 12 – 18, and supplies a two-year learning experience that focuses on either glassblowing, glass beadmaking and jewelry design, or fused glass. This program is the third-oldest youth glass program in the country.
Water Street Glassworks also participates in a Homeschool Partnership Program, offering courses and classes taught by qualified instructors to homeschool students from Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Counties, introducing new methods and mediums of fine art into education.
These experiences would not be available to youth without sponsorship and support, and this Fall Fundraiser is key in sustaining funds for Water Street Glassworks and all that they accomplish as a nonprofit organization. Tickets can be purchased on their website, waterstreetglassworks.org, where you will also find the schedule of events, workshops, and classes that are available throughout the year.
By Jocelyne Tuszynski, MOTM Contributor
