Toledo is the Glass City, named not just for the city’s history as a manufacturer of industrial glass, but also for it’s contributions to the world of art glass. The Toledo Museum of Art has long been an institution renowned for glass blowing. Legions of students have branched off to form smaller glass studios around town. The newest of these smaller studios, Gathered Art Gallery and Studios, is set to open on Friday, May 11 in the Warehouse District. Adam Goldberg, Eli Lipman and Mike Stevens are new college grads and glass blowers that have come together to make Gathered more than just another glass studio.
“Adam Goldberg and I started blowing glass at the Toledo Museum of Art. Then Adam went to BGSU for glass art and I went to Salem Community College (in New Jersey) which is a scientific glass blowing school. It’s the only scientific glass blowing school in the country.” says Lipman. “Adam and Mike met at BG and after school they wanted to pursue a glass blowing career and so did I. Adam’s family owns Okun Produce, so we were fortunate enough to get this great location. These buildings haven’t had anything done with them since the 80’s.”
With their youth and enthusiasm they have transformed the formerly dormant building directly across from Fifth Third Field nestled between The Blarney, Okun Produce and the new drinking spot, Ye Olde Cock and Bull, into, well, a gathering place for glass blowers to not only display their work, but also to blow glass, continue learning and share ideas. The space is a fully equipped glass blowing studio. The boys did a lot of the renovating themselves.
Lipman says they have always been interested in sharing their knowledge and love for glass art so they are offering a variety of small intimate classes and demonstrations that are open to the public.
“We have something really interesting happening called the pre-game gather which is an event that happens before Mud Hens games. You can come in right off the street and make a seasonal item, like a glass baseball bat. We’ll open two hours before the game, so then you can go enjoy dinner or something and come back the next day and pick your piece up. It takes 15mins to get a quick introduction to glass blowing,“ said Lipman.
Gathered Art Gallery and Studios will have their grand opening on Friday, May 11 from 7-11pm. During the event guests can enjoy refreshments, glass demonstrations and music by Old State Line.
Gathered Art Gallery and Studios,
23 N. Huron. 419-356-3703.
Website coming soon!
