Project Based Learning Electives provided by the Berrien Springs Virtual Academy
Water Street Glassworks Spring 2026
All students must complete a project for these classes.
- Website: Water Street Glassworks
- Phone: (269) 925-5555
- Email: anna@waterstreetglassworks.org
- Location: 142 Water Street, Benton Harbor - located in the BH Arts District off of Main St.
- Additional registration at location is required.
Taste of Glass for Beginners
- Grade or Age Levels: 12+
- Format: In-person
- Day/Time: Thursdays, 11:00am-3:00pm for 4 weeks beginning February 12th, 2026
- Mandatory Class Orientation: January 15th, 2026 at 11:00am
- Location: Water Street Glassworks, 140 Water St., Benton Harbor
- Instructors: Eli Zilke & Gina Edwards
phone: 269.925.5555
email: eli@waterstreetglassworks.org, gina@waterstreetglassworks.org
website: waterstreetglassworks.org
Have you wanted to experience the fire arts but aren't sure what to try first? This studio "sampler" workshop will provide you with the opportunity to try your hand at several glass projects in three studios: Glassblowing, Fusing and Beads. You will rotate through the studios and work with our knowledgeable instructors as they guide you create a piece in each medium. No experience necessary.
Beginning Glassblowing
- Grade or Age Levels: 12+
- Format: In-person
- Day/Time: Thursdays, 11:00am-3:00pm for 4 weeks beginning January 15th, 2026
- Mandatory Class Orientation: January 15th, 2026 at 11:00am
- Location: Water Street Glassworks, 140 Water St., Benton Harbor
- Instructors: Eli Zilke & Gina Edwards
phone: 269.925.5555
email: eli@waterstreetglassworks.org, gina@waterstreetglassworks.org
website: waterstreetglassworks.org
Students will learn the process of blown and cast glass in our Glassblowing studio. The students will learn the fundamentals of glassblowing through shaping and blowing glass as well as glass casting using sand and found objects. Students will finish this class with 2 “blown glass” pieces and multiple casted pieces and some solid pieces. No experience necessary.
*Please note: it is important to make as informed a decision as possible when choosing your student's Community Resource classes. Most locations will allow a student to drop a class after one meeting, at no charge if it wasn't a good fit for the student, but not all. Some classes plan ahead based on the number that have signed up and have purchased materials, hired teachers, etc. and there might be a fee for class time or materials given to the student if the student drops after one or two meetings. The school cannot pay for classes that students do not complete, so choose wisely; if you do not take the class off of your student's schedule by the deadline, you may be asked to pay for the class time incurred prior to dropping the class.
Teacher of Record: Lisa Van Plew-Cid
