Sampling of some of the unique gift items created by our talented Benzaiten staff
Holiday Bazaar!
This year the Benzaiten Center for Creative Arts is hosting a “Holiday Bazaar” to showcase their staff’s work as well as work from some carefully curated outside vendors. All exhibited items will be unique, one-of-a-kind, handcrafted art done by skilled artisans. The bazaar will be held just in time for the holidays on the first weekend in December, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6 and 7. The center will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both of those days. We urge people to shop till they drop because 20 percent from all sales made on those two days will be used to support their children’s and scholarship programming.
Encalmo spheres
Our much anticipated South Florida Studio Showdown is coming up soon on Friday, Dec. 12. It will be our second Artist Blow-Out of the season. This year we are bringing in the Corning Hot Shop Manager, George Kennard, to act as the lead on this year’s collaborative. He specializes in creating extremely large Incalmo/Encalmo spheres. This is the technique of joining two glass bubbles of different colors together. It is an extremely difficult skill that is fun and very educational to watch in real time. Other local artists from various studios around South Florida will literally be joining their skills onto the finished collaborative piece.
Brenna Baker and Rob Stern will be two of those artists. Both were featured artists on the Netflix program Blown Away. Brenna is the founder of Hollywood Hot Glass in Fort Lauderdale. And Rob Stern, who is also on the Benzaiten board, is a world-renowned artist who exhibits and teaches all over the world. Charlyn Reynolds, Chadd Lacy and Dan Alexander will also be participating. This is one of the most anticipated events of the season, so you don’t want to miss it!
Since all these events sell out, we urge you to check the schedule below and start reserving your spots now. Artist Blow-Outs are $25 per person for general admission, $50 for premium seating. The Meet the Artist Dinners are capped at 40 people and the price per person is $100.
Visiting Artist Schedule For 2025/26
Hawaiian Glassblower, Evan Schauss
Friday, Nov. 7, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
South Florida Showdown At The Benz
Corning Glassblower, George Kennard
And other South Florida artists
Friday, Dec. 12, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Double Header Blow-Out Featuring
Glassblower: Tim McFadden
Flameworker: Sibelle Yuksek
Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Both artists will be performing in the Hot Shop.
Seattle Glassblower, Jason Christian
Feb. 19 and 20, 2026
Thursday, Meet the Artist Dinner, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Friday, Artist Blow-Out, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Seattle Glassblower, Danny White
Friday, March 27, 2026, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Belgium/American Glassblower, John Moran
Winner of Netflix’ Blown Away Third Season
April 16 and 17, 2026
Thursday, Meet the Artist Dinner, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Friday, Artist Blow-Out, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
http://www.benzaitencenter.org
(561) 508-7315
