GlassRoots, a Newark-based nonprofit that transforms lives through the art of glass-making, announced that it will take part in renovating the ground floor of the old St. Michael’s Hospital – an abandoned historic building – into a creative hub that will serve youth and adults throughout Newark and New Jersey. The refurbished site will connect community members with arts, sciences and education and drive economic growth toward revitalizing a once blighted neighborhood.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, GlassRoots Board President Kathryn Markel, Founding Board Member Dena Lowenbach, and Jan Nicholson and Barbara Nicholson McFadyen, Trustees of The Nicholson Foundation, joined Barbara Heisler, Chief Executive Officer of GlassRoots, at the groundbreaking ceremony today. The original St. Michael’s Hospital is a long-vacant building constructed in 1867. Following the renovation, GlassRoots will occupy over 18,000 square feet of the building as an anchor tenant and collaborate with other educational and arts groups to catalyze the development of the entire neighborhood.
“GlassRoots is so much more than the glass arts. Through glass, we introduce math and science in unique ways, help our students create paths for their futures and nourish important life skills in our community,” said Barbara Heisler, Chief Executive Officer of GlassRoots. “The move to this larger space will allow us to welcome more people in our community and help lead a resurgence of creativity and economic vibrancy in Newark.”
Programs at the new facility will join art, entrepreneurship and STEM education in both practical and creative ways, helping local youth and adults explore their artistic sides while developing knowledge and skills to succeed in their careers.
The estimated total cost of GlassRoots’ facilities renovation is $2.1 million, of which nearly $1.5 million has been raised to date through GlassRoots’ 20/20 Capital Campaign. The Nicholson Foundation, a Newark-based organization, will contribute a transformational gift of one million dollars to the project.
GlassRoots is working side by side with the philanthropic community to cultivate and secure support to not only reach the $2.1 million goal – but to exceed it, according to Kathryn Markel, Chair of the 20/20 Campaign. “We are tremendously grateful to Jan Nicholson and Barbara Nicholson McFadyen for their confidence in our efforts and their commitment to seeing that GlassRoots remains a vital part of the Newark and New Jersey community,” she said.
“My father supported GlassRoots at its inception because of the vision that it could reach, engage and help Newark’s youth,” said Jan Nicholson, President of The Nicholson Foundation. “Today, 17 years later, it is giving young people boundless opportunities for personal and professional development.”
GlassRoots is one of many organizations turning the old hospital into a creative hub, including Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company and Newark Arts. “Newark Arts is thrilled that a new cultural center will be anchored by GlassRoots. For the arts community, University Heights neighborhood, and arts organizations that will share space there, it’s a win-win-win. We’re excited to be among the prospective tenants that will create critical mass for the city’s arts sector,” said Jeremy Johnson, Newark Arts Executive Director.
Other partners in the project include the City of Newark, New Jersey Community Capital, Hanini Group, Hollister Construction and Crawford Street Partners.
The newly-renovated GlassRoots space will include:
- Three glass art studios: a flame shop to form glass beads and small pieces; a flat shop to create fused glass, castings and mosaics; and a hot shop to blow glass in a 2200° furnace.
- Kiln, mold and sandblasting studios and a finishing shop (also called a cold shop).
- A professional scientific glassblowing production and repair shop, which will bring on-the-job training opportunities and jobs to Newark.
- Flexible spaces to house workforce development programs and facilitate other entrepreneurial activities.
- Gallery space with a quasi-permanent “history of glass” exhibit from the Newark Museum to provide a robust educational experience for visitors, including school groups.
- Income-generating spaces including a gift shop showcasing the work of students, teaching artists and regional glass artists; a coffee shop; and a gallery as a venue for regional glass artists to exhibit work, which will also be available for event rentals.
Hollister Construction serves as the construction manager and will be responsible for bringing the vision for the new space to life. “Hollister Construction is proud to partner with GlassRoots to construct their new creative hub within the historic St. Michael’s Hospital building. We’ve been committed to Newark and its revitalization since our inception in 2004, and we are confident the redeveloped site will transform the neighborhood and bring new opportunities to downtown Newark. Today is a special day as we join the ground breaking and celebrate what’s to come,” said Brendan Murray, Executive Vice President at Hollister Construction.
“Our Community Asset Preservation Corporation is excited to be a partner in fueling the redevelopment of this community asset in University Heights. We are thrilled that GlassRoots will call St. Michael’s home and look forward to bringing other Newark nonprofits and educational institutions to this arts and cultural incubator as well,” said Wayne T. Meyer, President, New Jersey Community Capital.
The full renovation process is expected to take eight months, and the new spaces are planned to open to the public early in 2019.
