Glass Growers Gallery
Colorful + Curated
We feature a collection of high quality artwork and artisan goods that add color, variety, and joy to life
About Glass Growers Gallery
Based in beautiful Erie, Pennsylvania, Glass Growers Gallery is more than glass and more than an art gallery, it’s also a gift shop. Established in 1974, we showcase functional artisan handcrafts of jewelry, pottery, glass, wood, metal, socks, and more.
Glass Growers Gallery offers curated art and individualized attention. We make your life easier and more beautiful by presenting a refined selection of paintings, photographs, sculpture, and collages. For larger corporate or residential projects, we can help select appropriate art, frame it, deliver it, and install it.
Glass Growers Gallery offers distinct awards and personalized gifts. When it is time to honor someone, do so with a custom-made award or gift. We will design, fabricate, personalize, package, gift wrap, and ship your gifts.
Meet our Team
Emily Ernes
Emily has been the owner of Glass Growers Gallery since 2020. With a background in higher education administration and an MBA from Gannon, Emily has an entrepreneurial spirit and love of the arts, learning, travel, and being outdoors. She prioritizes honoring the beautiful legacy of GGG while promoting the incredible art and artists of our region.
Noreen Finn
Noreen is the Chief Curator of GGG's art offerings. She is a BFA Edinboro University grad who has worked at GGG since 1998. She has a keen sense of presentation, skillfully developed relationships, and fine-tuned sensibilities within the community and the world of GGG. She is an accomplished painter living the pastoral dream on her hobby farm in Edinboro.
Kathleen Gausman
Kathleen joined the GGG team in the summer of 2022 upon her retirement from Gannon University. Following an impressive career shaping the lives and ambitions of countless students and colleagues, she brings a love of learning, positive attitude, artistic spirit, and knack for inspiring others and building strong relationships to the GGG team.
Erin Green
Erin is a Penn State grad with a degree in Landscape Architecture (B. LA) and a focus in Art History. After college she switched gears to work with children and became the Executive Director of a Montessori early childhood education school. Erin joined GGG as bookkeeper in 2020 after becoming a mother. She currently works as Executive Director at Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park (LEAF).
Suebee Martin
Suebee is a Gannon grad with a BS in management and an Edinboro University grad with a BFA in applied media arts. She is a blithe spirit who brings insight, friendship, a distinct modality, and focus to the opportunities that present themselves daily. She applies her skills to building customer relationships and keeping us organized in our inventory management, special projects, and work environment. She has been at GGG since 2010.
Oliver + Hudson
Some of the hardest workers on our team, Oliver and Hudson diligently greet each customer with lots of enthusiasm and tail wags. They will also pose patiently with many different pieces of art while their humans attempt to capture the perfect pictures of them to share on social media.
History of GGG
In 1974, Glass Growers Gallery (GGG) opened its doors to showcase the work of John and Deb Vahanian. They took flat sheets of glass and made 3D objects: Geodesic domes, zomes, and quartz crystal shapes that became part of kinetic sculpture, terrariums, light fixtures, and windows. The name “Glass Growers” has its roots in that process. After learning they were dealing with toxic materials, Debby stopped “growing glass” and expanded the gallery’s representation of regional fine art and professional American crafts.
In 1982, GGG relocated to a renovated church building at 701 Holland St. In that spacious 2 ½ story building, Deb Vahanian began curating annual shows: Quilt, Watercolor, Kaleidoscope as well as other unique shows like the History of the Bicycle, the Carousel, Joseph Plavcan Student Retrospective, International Images, Women in Transition to name a few. GGG thrived there until 1999. At that time, the Erie Art Museum planned to expand. GGG chose to be its neighbor.
Here at 10 E. 5th St. we offer quality & distinction in the form of regional fine art & gifts, curated corporate art installation services, and made-in-America custom awards & gifts. GGG was purchased by Emily Ernes in September of 2020 and the team carries forward the original intention of growing culture, celebrating imagination, and creating a vibrant and beautiful space for the community.
Growing Glass
To the right: Original glass terrariums and flying machines created by Deb and John Vahanian in the 1970s.
Original Storefront
To the left: The original location of Glass Growers Gallery on the corner of W. 2nd St. and Plum St. in downtown Erie, PA and the original sign/logo.
FAQs
We wish we could. It would be magical. But our name refers to the process we first implemented when we created our terrariums, light fixtures, and windows. We made them out of clear glass and silicone using geodesic and quartz crystalline formations. When they sat drying on our studio tables they looked as if they grew from the shards of glass around them.
Not really. Wish we could, but it would take multiple studios with various kinds of equipment and skills. That said, we are dedicated to displaying works of professional craftspeople. These people make the variety of heirloom pottery, jewelry, sculpture, and more that are regularly featured at our shop. Not to mention the many fine artists that have fervently devoted their life to painting, sculpting and photographing so we all can enjoy their vision of the world.
Are you kidding? Of course! When you see a work of art and wish it was another size, orientation, subject matter, or color palette, talk to us. At first, it may sound like a dicey deal, but it’s not really. We hold your hand through the process from conception, deciding on size, materials, and framing, thumbnails, to the finished piece, the delivery, and the installation. Often, if you find you don’t like it, you don’t always have to keep it! Also, we provide accurate record keeping for your art files to establish provenance, scholarship, and historical reference. You never know unless you ask, so ask away!
Customization is our middle name. Since 1974, we have created many custom gifts for various individuals and companies. Give us your logo or your message and we will help you create the perfect one of a kind or multiple custom-made gifts. From blown glass paperweights, fused glass window catchers, ceramic sculptures, and more. Give us a call, text, message, or email today to discuss what your vision and budget are. We will do our very best to make it a reality.
With pleasure and aplomb! Whether it's for a retirement, a donor, a promotion, or an annual award, we do it. We are dedicated to promoting the artists and craftspeople that have many skills in various mediums. Whether it is glass, clay, wood, paper, or metal, we can give you the award you would like to receive and therefore be proud to give. Give us a call, text, message, or email today to share your ideas and budgetary plans! When the ceremonious day comes, you will be smiling from the start.
- Email us at [email protected].
- Send your bio and/or artist statement.
- Send at least three images of available works.
- Include Description, Title, Size, Medium, Weight, and Price.
- We will respond and let you know if we would like to review your work in person.