journal entry

Photos courtesy of glassroots.org

This year, Peters Valley School of Craft continued its partnership with GlassRoots, a nonprofit organization, founded in Newark, NJ, in 2001. GlassRoots programs have served over 25,000 young people living in under-resourced communities in Newark and the greater Newark area.

Their mission, to ignite and build the creative and economic vitality of greater Newark, is fulfilled through teaching many different crafts in four studios at 10 Bleeker Street in Newark, including glass-art workshops. The organization also has a youth entrepreneurship program, offers field trips, and opens classes to the public.

A GlassRoots Artist Fellowship program was funded by the Nicholson Foundation and established a partnership with Peters Valley in 2021. This provides an outstanding fellowship opportunity to GlassRoots students, aged 18 to 24.

This summer, six talented young adults spent five weeks at GlassRoots in Newark, learning life skills, professional development, and exploring different crafts, all while preparing to come to Peters Valley. They then arrived at Peters Valley to take seven weeks of immersive hands-on craft workshops in blacksmithing, photography, fiber arts, and more. Living on campus, the students were provided meals, tuition, materials, and stipends so they could freely explore studio practices in a creative community.

Keeping in touch with the participants is a big part of the program, and I am happy to report that from last year’s group, one student is studying to be an art teacher in college. Another has gone on to study art therapy in college, and another has become a studio artist, opening their own studio. One of the students received a grant from Crafting the Future to pursue his artistic practice.

“Working with them has been inspiring,” Deputy Director Jennifer Apgar tells us. “To watch as they work with the community and find themselves through craft has been the highlight of my summer.”

The public is invited to come to the Peters Valley Gallery on campus to see their work at the GlassRoots Fellowship Exhibition, running until September 23rd. The show will include work from this year’s and last year’s groups. Very inspiring!

Enjoy our Peters Valley issue. Hope to see you at the 52nd Annual Craft Fair!