Audience member Eli Cecil taking a picture of Murano glassblower Davide Salvadore with his son Marco. BENZAITEN CENTER FOR CREATIVE ARTS / COURTESY PHOTOS
Lake Worth’s Benzaiten Center for Creative Arts is celebrating success.
The center, marking its ninth year, showcases novices and professional glass artists. Founded by professional artist JB Berkow, the center offers in-depth, sixweek classes, as well as workshops with some of the most respected glass artists in the world. The center also offers equipment rentals to professional artists.
Benzaiten also sponsors outreach program for seniors and classes for children and young adults in underserved community. “We see at least 1,000 kids come through our doors each year free of charge,” says Berkow. “Sparking a child’s imagination lasts a lifetime. That’s what it’s all about!”
The center’s “Artists Blow-Outs” events continue to grow in popularity, many selling out. These shows allow visiting artists to demonstrate their glassblowing prowess in a three-hour program, accompanied by live music, food and drink. Two of the visiting artists came from Murano, Italy, one an 11th-generation glassblower, the other a mere third-generation glass blower. Both artists week-long workshops sold out in just days.
The last fundraiser of the season will be an “Online Art Auction” offering original oils, limited edition prints and glass art with opening bids starting below wholesale costs. All money raised will go toward summer programs for kids and teens.
Hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m -5 p.m. For details, visit benzaiten. com or call 561-508-7315.
