How would you explain your organization in 300 words or less?
Beacon Glass Studio’s mission is to be a non-profit community arts center focused on education, exhibitions, experiences, and cultural connectivity. Beyond classes, retreats, and studio rentals, we plan on launching a world-class Artist-in-Residence program, capitalizing on Beacon Glass Studio’s gorgeous and inspiring location and drawing from the talented glassblowing community in the Pacific Northwest.
How did this program begin?
BGC began as a dream to have a small community oriented glass studio. We were accepted to Shunpike in June of 2017.
How are you keeping your program financially sustainable & what strategies do you recommend?
Having the smallest studio possible and using the little dragon keeps our energy use very low. We are operating about mainly September through March, and only hot 20% of that time. Usually 6 days per month. Our advice is to remember think small and do great things with less impact.
What impact are you seeing & how do you measure success?
We measure success in the number of kids we get to teach in the studio. The sense of becoming a hub in the community focused on the joy of the individual with me on that day. Not the amount of donations, but the growing number of people in our community supporting this endeavor.
Are there any community programs or organizations that inspire(d) you?
We are inspired by the programs that Pearl Dick is running in Chicago with Firebird Community Arts. Also the veterans glassblowing initiative for free classes for veterans on Veterans Day is a model for the kind of outreach we’d like to provide.
How has the outbreak of COVID-19 impacted your program, if at all?
We needed to radically change our programing goals in response to the covid pandemic. We had been hoping to host events, and work with artists through out the PNW. We have been working almost exclusively with people from the San Juan Islands, and doing our best to keep our social circles very small. In response to the pandemic we began supporting the homeschooling efforts by offering classes to the island kids.