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Creating Art Since 1987: Hudson Beach Glass Celebrates 30 Years In Beacon

BEACON, N.Y. - There's something mesmerizing about watching a glass blower work with hot, soft, almost liquid glass.

Glass Blower Kathleen Andersen of Hudson Beach Glass creates some of the shop's signature rainbow glasses.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Kaelyn Haggerty of Hudson Beach Glass with some of the store's signature spike bowls.

Kaelyn Haggerty of Hudson Beach Glass with some of the store's signature spike bowls.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Glass caster Jacob Searles of Beacon - one of over 40 artists whose work can be found at the gallery - with some of his work at Hudson Beach Glass.

Glass caster Jacob Searles of Beacon - one of over 40 artists whose work can be found at the gallery - with some of his work at Hudson Beach Glass.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Jennifer Smith (L) and Michael Benzer, two of Hudson Beach Glass's four owners.

Jennifer Smith (L) and Michael Benzer, two of Hudson Beach Glass's four owners.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Glass blower Kathleen Andersen spins a new creation at Hudson Beach Glass.

Glass blower Kathleen Andersen spins a new creation at Hudson Beach Glass.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Glass bowls from Hudson Beach Glass.

Glass bowls from Hudson Beach Glass.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Kaelyn Haggerty and owner Michael Benzer at Hudson Beach Glass.

Kaelyn Haggerty and owner Michael Benzer at Hudson Beach Glass.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Glass blower Kathleen Andersen in front of some of the store's popular glass Christmas ornaments, which students can actually come in and make themselves.

Glass blower Kathleen Andersen in front of some of the store's popular glass Christmas ornaments, which students can actually come in and make themselves.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Glass marbles are some of the store's most popular items.

Glass marbles are some of the store's most popular items.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Hudson Beach Glass owners (from L) Wendy and John Gilvey, Michael Benzer and Jennifer Smith.

Hudson Beach Glass owners (from L) Wendy and John Gilvey, Michael Benzer and Jennifer Smith.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Hudson Beach Glass in Beacon.

Hudson Beach Glass in Beacon.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman

That's one of the things that draws people to Beacon's Hudson Beach Glass - where customers can watch a glass blowing demonstration, and at times can even create their own glass art.

It was 1987 when John and Wendy Gilvey, Michael Benzer and Jennifer Smith founded Hudson Beach Glass, and the foursome opened their main street gallery and glass blowing studio in 2003.

Since then, the gallery/studio has been casting functional and sculptural objects, as well as holding classes where students can create their own glass art - Christmas ornaments, paperweights, glass beads, etc.

"We were all looking at glass tiles I had been making, and realized we can turn these tiles into serving bowls and trays, so we formed a partnership, and it took off from there," Benzer told Daily Voice of how the business started 30 years back.

"Glass is an exciting medium to work in," he added. "It's very immediate and fast, and a little dangerous because of the heat. Making quality products is the draw, rather than a disposable item. Something that's around a long time.

"It's a lot like cooking a good meal," he added. "It takes a lot of effort, it's physical, and the finished product is beautiful."

Customers seem to love the end results.

"The response we've gotten has been great," Benzer said. "We have a great group of return customers, we've got great new people who come in to see us for the first time. And people love the variety. You may not like the glass that I make, or Kathleen makes, but we have 30 other artists we represent, so there's something for everybody."

Benzer said the gallery's most popular items include serving bowls, ornaments, vases, and jewelry. "It's a pretty good balance," he said.

In the winter, the gallery books 15-minute sessions where customers can create their own glass Christmas ornament, and appointments are booked solid from November to January.

After 30 years, Benzer and his partners are still enjoying their work. "It's a small company, we like the people we work with," Benzer said. "Our mission statement for the business s to make a beautiful object first.

"The community that's happened is probably the best part of being here in Beacon," he added. "Making glass has been great, but the creative people who have moved here... We count on tourism for customers, but also our customer base is people right around the corner - which was unexpected, and is really great."

For more info on Hudson Beach Glass, and to view products, their website can be viewed here, or check them out on Facebook. Hudson Beach Glass is located at 162 Main Street in Beacon.

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