Dear Friends,

When I was nine years old, my mom signed me up for a summer camp at GlassRoots. I had no idea what it was. I thought we’d be stringing beads or doing simple crafts, and I wasn’t excited. But the moment I lit the torch and made my very first glass bead, everything changed. I was instantly hooked.

That first spark lit something deeper in me. I kept coming back—taking classes, learning new skills, and meeting people who became mentors and friends. I found a community I didn’t have anywhere else. GlassRoots was the first place where I felt fully seen, where I could experiment, fail, try again and grow. It’s where I realized that being an artist wasn’t just possible—it was who I am.

GlassRoots has always been more than an art studio. It’s a space where people – who are often underestimated — learn about themselves and what they’re capable of. It’s about creativity, yes—but it’s also about opportunity, confidence and community.

Now, more than 20 years later, I’m proud to stand on the other side of the torch as a Teaching Artist. Every time I watch a student melt glass for the first time, I see that same moment of transformation I once felt. And when a student finds that focus, when they realize they can create something beautiful out of fire and sand — it’s powerful.

As we prepare to move into our new home in Teachers Village, I feel the same energy of possibility that I felt as a kid. More space means more students, more programs, and more lives changed through the power of glass. With your support, many more young people will have the same experiences I’ve had.

Please join me in keeping the fires burning, by making a year-end gift to GlassRoots. Together, we will continue to spark change, enable growth, and light the way for the next generation of artists and dreamers.

With gratitude,

Richard Paz
GlassRoots Alumnus and Teaching Artist