HAPPY 25TH ANNIVERSARY, GLASSROOTS!

Newark’s Glass Art Center Celebrates a Quarter Century of Sparking Change

Twenty five years ago, we started as a table and two torches at the Boys and Girls Club of Newark. A small number of students joined us once a week for an after school flameworking class. A few years later, we moved into our current space at 10 Bleeker Street: a 5,000 square foot glass art center that serves 5,000 individuals annually. Collectively, we’ve engaged 40,000 people over the last 25 years and currently offer a dozen programs for participants ages 8 – 80!

Our visionary founder, Pat Kettenring, a business school professor at Rutgers who specialized in art administration and social entrepreneurship, was also a passionate glass collector. After visiting Hilltop Artists in Washington and witnessing how they taught middle schoolers life skills through glassblowing, she sensed that glassblowing and the glass arts could uniquely demonstrate crucial life and career skills to the young people of Newark as well.

Needless to say, she was right! Twenty-five years later, GlassRoots remains an integral cultural destination in downtown Newark dedicated to empowering teens and young adults through the magic of fire and glass. We’ve also evolved to serve participants of all ages and backgrounds – ranging from a Date Night class or team building workshop to a school field trip or commission for a handmade glass award. As we’ve grown, we’ve stayed true to our mission: when you take a class, order a handmade glass award or book any glassmaking experience at GlassRoots, you’re ensuring that a young person here in Newark will enjoy that same experience at no cost!

GlassRoots Executive Director, Carol Losos, affirms: “Being part of a neighborhood that intersects Newark’s residential, educational and business communities will provide endless opportunities for our organization. We look forward to expanding our celebrated offerings – free programs for Newark youth, affordable and accessible glassmaking classes and one-of-a-kind events and group experiences – to even more of our neighbors with this exciting new chapter for our organization!” GlassRoots looks forward to igniting the futures of these communities and more as we commemorate this 25th anniversary milestone. As the year unfolds, look out for:

● New Glassmaking Classes
● Our 25th Anniversary Birthday Party
● GlassBall 2026 – Our Largest Annual Fundraiser
● New Glass Award Designs by our Artist Team
● The Expansion to our Future Home

And a few surprises!

GlassRoots sparks change and enables growth in individuals and communities through the transformative power of glass art. Building skills, igniting creativity, inspiring confidence and impacting economic vitality.