The Michigan Glass Project to Host its 9th Annual Live Glassblowing Arts and Music Festival to Benefit Art Curriculum in Detroit Public Schools Community District

The documentary tells the inspiring story of a dedicated community of artists who dig deep to give back to their struggling city. This dynamic festival is set to occupy the historic Russell Industrial Center in Detroit. Local and national glassblowing artists, live painters, and a vast array of musicians, alongside the community, will support the mission of providing children with artistic outlets. Proceeds from the event will benefit Art Road Nonprofit. Art Road immerses students from metro Detroit schools in the benefits of art instruction. This year marks the sixth year that Art Road has been a beneficiary and has received $475,000 from The Michigan Glass Project

“Our event space is extraordinary and more than just a festival. The Michigan Glass Project’s core values include collaboration and community. The festival creates an opportunity for each individual’s unique and personal contribution to join together with those around them, impacting a greater whole and ultimate goal,” says Co-founder/Executive Director of The Michigan Glass Project, Allison Key. “At no other event will you find hundreds of artists working in unison, all with a mission to donate as much of their artwork as possible over three days. There is beauty in the ease with which individuals can contribute to the mission on a grassroots level by donating art, buying art, simply showing up to see music, or watching glassblowing. The huge donation check we write to Art Road each year is a testament to what a united force of people can do when they pool their talents and resources.”

Glassblowing artists from New York to Los Angeles will work live throughout the weekend, creating pieces for the silent auction that ends Sunday at 6 p.m. In addition, a large-scale art gallery will showcase donated paintings, photographs, and prints, many made by live painters on site. Attendees can view the artwork as it’s created and place bids. On Sunday evening, a live auction on stage will feature a handful of the most stellar pieces produced or donated throughout the weekend. Proceeds from the artwork sold, auctioned, or raffled will contribute to the fundraiser.

The public, kids, and community members can enjoy the festivities, cuisine from local food trucks, and a cash bar. Ticket and bar sales will also benefit the cause. The event will include 2 DJ booths and an outdoor stage featuring live local and national music acts headlined by TAUK, Will Sessions, and Bruiser Brigade. World-renowned glassblowing artists will be returning to participate in the effort.

Following each day of arts, food, music, and fun, the experience will continue via after-parties at some of Detroit’s hottest venues featuring local music and glass art for sale and appreciation.

Weekend Schedule:

Thursday, June 8, 7 pm: Art That Gives Back: The Michigan Glass Project Documentary Showing at The Detroit Film Theater at the Detroit Institute of Arts
Friday, June 9, Noon-10 pm: Main Event at the Russell Industrial Center
Friday, June 9, 9pm-2 am: Marble & Millefiori Show The Tangent Gallery
Saturday, June 10, Noon-11 pm: Main Event at the Russell Industrial Center
Sunday, June 11, Noon-11 pm: Main Event at the Russell Industrial Center

Silent Auction for Glass ends Sunday at 6 pm; Live auction at 7 pm; Silent Auction for Live Paintings ends Sunday at 9 pm

Highlights to enjoy:

96 borosilicate glass artists working on 36 torches
100 vendors showcasing glass, handmade artwork, and local businesses
90 DJs & live musical acts (local & national)
48 live painters
Neon Demonstrations
Two interactive activity areas for kids

Tickets:

Documentary Screening: $15 at the door
Main Event: $75 for a weekend pass; $30 for a day pass
After parties: $10 at the door

For more information, visit themichiganglassproject.com and artroadnonprofit.org. Tickets are available at the door and themichiganglassproject.com.

About The Michigan Glass Project

The Michigan Glass Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Their mission is to unite artists through charitable events that create and foster positive change in the community. They offer a chance for artisans and craftspeople to give back to their community through directly connecting and doing what they love. Since its inception in 2012, over the first three years, they donated $36,000 to The Belle Isle Aquarium in Detroit, the nation’s oldest aquarium, helping to re-open its doors to the public. In 2015, The Michigan Glass Project began raising funds for Art Road Nonprofit, assisting them on their mission to return art classes to public schools. With proceeds from 2015-2018 annual events, The Michigan Glass Project has donated a total of $345,000 to Art Road. The staggering increase in consecutive donations allowed Art Road to expand to multiple schools over the years, changing the lives of many children and allowing working artists to use their skills and craft to make an impact.

About Art Road Nonprofit

Art Road Nonprofit’s mission is for children throughout Southeastern Michigan, to have access to art instruction. Since 2004, Art Road has brought art class back to over 14,000 elementary and middle school students. This past school year, Art Road provided art instruction to five elementary and middle schools in metro Detroit. The goal for the 2019-2020 school year, with the help of The Michigan Glass Project and all the artists from around the country that will come to Detroit, is to include a sixth school that lacks art instruction in their curriculum. That’s approximately 2,500 students that will have a chance to explore their creativity through art class.

Visit Detroit is a private, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to market and sell the metropolitan Detroit area on a worldwide basis as a destination for leisure and business travel including conventions, trade shows, corporate meetings, tours and incentive travel to maximize additional visitors, visitor expenditures, state and local tax revenues and job opportunities.

More than 700 businesses are represented in Visit Detroit’s membership. Visit Detroit was founded in 1896 as the world’s first convention and visitors bureau. visitdetroit.com