Tulsa Glassblowing School (TGS) officially opened its doors to the public today following a seven-month renovation at the former McClure Park Recreation Center. Mayor G.T. Bynum and representatives from the Tulsa City Council and Tulsa Glassblowing School (TGS) were on hand for the Grand Opening event.
McClure Park Recreation Center opened in 1963 and closed its doors nearly seven years ago due to funding and needed building upgrades. Through the private/public partnership and private donations for the renovation, TGS reopened the facility today to create an expanded network for youth and community outreach.
Tulsa Glassblowing School will be open to the public Monday – Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. During the month of November, a special discount for glass experiences will be offered.
“This partnership is a testament to what we can accomplish together by bringing a once closed facility to life through youth and community programming that will be available to all Tulsans. I want to thank the Tulsa Glassblowing School and all community partners for making this possible,” Mayor G.T. Bynum said.
TGS was founded 12 years ago in the Tulsa Arts District as an open access glass art studio. Due to continued growth, TGS was experiencing overcrowding in their former location. This new partnership gives TGS the ability to expand community outreach efforts and VETri, a military veteran-only glassblowing program launched in April 2016. VETri is the second program of its kind in the U.S. which has over 100 service member participants.
“Tulsa Glassblowing School is grateful for the opportunity to partner with the City of Tulsa allowing for expansion of our outreach programming. We could not ask for a more beautiful setting!” Janet Duvall, Executive Director
About Tulsa Glassblowing School
Tulsa Glassblowing School (TGS) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 2007 whose mission is two-fold: (1) Empower self-esteem and promote positive change in the lives of vulnerable youth and adults within the Tulsa community through participation in the unique creative processes of hot glass art. (2) Enrich the cultural experience in the Tulsa community through exposure to a variety of glass art disciplines via education, instruction, and promotion of hot glass art including opportunities to observe nationally renowned visiting glass artists. TGS is an open access studio that provides the opportunity for anyone interested in glass art to experience this unique art form. It’s been a great 10 years and we look forward to the next 10.
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