Summer Travel Objective: Support Erie’s Artists and Downtown District

Main entrance to Glass Growers Gallery

Interior view from the main entrance of Glass Growers Gallery

About Glass Growers Gallery

Founded in 1974, Glass Growers Gallery (GGG) is an art gallery and gift shop located in downtown Erie, Pennsylvania at 10 East 5th Street. Neighboring the impressive Erie Art Museum, GGG presents a refined selection of paintings, photographs, pottery, glass, mosaics, jewelry, sculpture, and more. The gallery carries a diverse selection of artwork representing over 90 regional artists and over 100 artisans from across the country. 

GGG believes there is a special inherent quality found in original artwork and handcrafted artisan goods. These pieces are imbued with a sense of purpose and meaning from the careful attention provided during the artistic creation process, making them acquisitions to be treasured for years to come. Glass Growers Gallery hopes visitors will feel inspired by its unique art offerings and enthusiasm for the strong Erie-based arts community.

Artwork for sale on display at the Flagship City Food Hall

A Changing Landscape: Erie Downtown Development

If you haven’t visited downtown Erie recently, you’re in for a treat. The blocks surrounding GGG between 4th Streets and 6th Streets and between French and Peach Streets have been experiencing a major renaissance over the past five years with Glass Growers Gallery positioned at the heart of it. Rounding the corner, the shopping district The Shops at 5th and State features a variety of shops, boutiques, and restaurants. Across State Street, the Flagship City Food Hall provides a great selection of dining options and food vendors and the Flagship City Public Market features a butcher, grocer, and distillery for a convenient downtown shopping option with high-quality goods. Many fully-equipped, stylish apartments have become available in surrounding blocks. In 2023, the downtown district is celebrating the grand opening of the new addition to the expERIEnce Children’s Museum, the ASCEND rock climbing gym, the parking garage, and additional small businesses.

Glass Growers Gallery has had the opportunity to feature artwork for sale at several off-site locations in the downtown district: the Flagship City Food Hall, the Flagship City Public Market, and the restaurant Bricks at the Cashier’s House. GGG also features artwork for sale at Werner Books in the Liberty Plaza. These collaborations have provided GGG the opportunity to expand its limited wall space and feature more incredible artists while keeping the artwork fresh and interesting with rotating displays at these neighboring attractions. GGG invites visitors to Erie to stop in each of these places to create a gallery hop experience at any time of the day. 

Supporting Unique Destinations and the Arts

Visiting unique small businesses like Glass Growers Gallery while traveling is a great way to define a destination and make your vacation or day trip extra special. With the rise of online-only shopping and big box stores, supporting small businesses is necessary to ensure different destinations will continue to offer interesting and diverse goods and experiences. Selecting a souvenir from the offerings of small businesses is a great way to commemorate your trip while supporting the local economy. 

Within the art world, galleries offer the important opportunity to experience artwork up close at its intended depth and scale, something that is difficult to replicate through digital imagery. Galleries also allow artists the time and energy to focus on the creation process while providing the physical space, hours, and staffing to represent artists’ work to a wide network in an accessible format. GGG prides itself on showcasing artwork in a beautiful setting and sharing information and stories that convey individual artists’ processes and visions.

GGG features rotating exhibits in the main gallery every 6-8 weeks, hosts a variety of artist workshops, and participates in seasonal gallery nights through the Erie Art Museum, downtown art brunches with four other downtown galleries, and Boutique Nights with its shopping district neighbors. GGG’s art and gift offerings and event calendar can be found online at https://www.www.glassgrowersshop.com. Nationwide shipping is available (free on jewelry-only orders) and the staff is available at any time for personalized shopping consultations. 

The team at Glass Growers Gallery hopes you will come visit the ever-changing gallery and that you find joy and inspiration from the artwork on display. Blocks away from the beautiful bayfront and filled with historical buildings and architecture, downtown Erie is making strides to become more alive and vibrant than ever before. GGG and its neighbors are excited to share a special, multi-faceted experience with visitors from near and far.