GlassRoots

Founded in 2001, GlassRoots is a non-profit hot glass studio in Newark with a mission to ignite and build the creative and economic vitality of greater Newark, with a focus on underserved youth and young adults, through the transformative power of the glass art experience. With the fire and danger of glassmaking to engage area youth, tens of thousands of students have developed lifelong skills – patience, teamwork, creative problem solving, discipline and resilience. Our students gain hands-on experience in chemistry, physics, math and engineering while becoming entrepreneurs as they create and market their glass products. Those who walk through our doors enter a world away from the streets, promising them opportunities to explore their creativity and potential beyond the classroom. GlassRoots believes that participation in glass art directly contributes to the development of youth’s intellectual and personal capacities. For students who had often been frustrated or failed in school, the experience of success in our studios impresses upon them that learning matters, and thus they become more willing to do the hard work of learning. In addition, students gain a sense that they could be agents of their own learning, and make a positive change in their own lives and in their surroundings. When students visit GlassRoots during field trips or longer term residencies they have the opportunity to experience age-old art forms with work in our Flame Shop, Flat Shop, Finishing (Cold) Shop and Hot Shop bringing today’s lessons to life. All glass art projects include lessons on basic color and design theory, and introduction to and practice with glass tools. All projects include elements of STEAM and aspects of 21st Century learning, such as teambuilding, time management, problem-solving and communication. Our educational programs correlate to the NJ Common Core state standards to connect our glass artwork to a school’s academic curriculum.