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
Located in the heart of Erie, Pennsylvania, Glass Growers Gallery is more than just an art gallery—it’s a destination for curated creativity and meaningful gifts. Since 1974, we have been dedicated to showcasing the finest in artisan handcrafts, including jewelry, pottery, glass, wood, metal, textiles, and more.
Our gallery offers a thoughtfully curated selection of paintings, photographs, sculpture, and collages, helping you bring beauty into your home or workspace. We also provide art consultation, custom framing, delivery, and installation for corporate and residential projects.
Looking for a truly special gift? Glass Growers Gallery specializes in unique awards and personalized gifts. Whether you’re honoring an achievement or celebrating a loved one, we can design, fabricate, personalize, package, gift wrap, and ship your custom creation.
Visit us to experience a welcoming, whimsical space where art and craftsmanship come to life.
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.
Our Story
Glass Growers Gallery (GGG) opened its doors in 1974 to showcase the innovative work of John and Deb Vahanian. Inspired by the transformation of flat glass sheets into three-dimensional forms, they crafted geodesic domes, zomes, and quartz crystal shapes, which became integral to kinetic sculptures, terrariums, light fixtures, and windows. This process gave rise to the name “Glass Growers.”
However, after discovering the materials they were using were toxic, they pivoted, shifting the gallery’s focus to regional fine art and professional American crafts.
In 1982, GGG moved to a renovated church at 701 Holland St., where Deb Vahanian curated annual exhibitions such as Quilt, Watercolor, and Kaleidoscope Invitationals, as well as unique shows like The History of the Bicycle, The Carousel, Joseph Plavcan Student Retrospective, International Images, and Women in Transition. GGG thrived in that space until 1999 when the Erie Art Museum planned an expansion. Choosing to stay close to the heart of Erie’s creative scene, GGG relocated to 10 E. 5th St., where we continue to serve our community today.
In September 2020, Emily Ernes became the gallery’s owner, carrying forward its founding vision: growing culture, celebrating imagination, and creating a vibrant, beautiful space for the community. Today, Glass Growers Gallery remains a hub for regional fine art, distinctive gifts, curated corporate art installations, and made-in-America custom awards.
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 staff@glassgrowersgallery.com.
- 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.
Contact us
Phone: 814-453-3758
Email: staff@glassgrowersgallery.com
10 E. 5th St., Erie, PA 16507