Artist in Residence Program

Water Street Glassworks launched our Artist in Residence Program in the Fall of 2017 and welcomed Mert Ungor, from Antalya Turkey, as our first artist. The program allows artists to work in the studios, experiment with new techniques, collaborate with other artists, develop a body of work, and culminates in a solo exhibit in the Dorris Akers Gallery. We are currently accepting applications. Contact us for more information.

Mert Ungor
Artist in Residence 2017

Mert Ungor was Water Street Glasswork's first Artist-in-Residence. He created a body of work and shared his glass experience, expertise, and artistry at Water Street Glassworks.

Mert recently completed a Master's degree in glass from West Texas A & M University. He has interned at the prestigious Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Wa. where he worked with Maestro Lino Tagliapietra, and has recently completed a residency at the Glass Art Kalamazoo studio, where he had a solo exhibition.

Mert is from Antalya, Turkey where he grew up on the Mediterranean coast. While working in metal and casting at the Glass Furnace in Istanbul, he was discovered by  Chad Holliday, Associate Professor of Art at WTAMU. He encouraged the young artist to come to the United States and work on his MFA. Mert has assisted with his personal work, as well as becoming his Graduate Assistant.

Mert considers himself an artist, who is currently working in glass,

"Glassblowing is amazing. It's very tough, challenging, and the material is dangerous. I am loving it!" WSG was thrilled to have Mert on our team as Studio Manager and Glassblowing Instructor after his Artist in Residence. In the summer of 2018, Mert returned to Turkey to further pursue his glassblowing career and we appreciate his contributions over the year he was with WSG. 

Photo Gallery

View the body of work developed during Mert's Artist in Residence and contributions to Water Street Glassworks. View Gallery >

Yashu Reddy
Artist in Residence 2021 

Yashu is a glass artist from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He discovered glass blowing there in 2012 while he was attending Harrisburg Area Community College. Since then, he continued to study and work in glass in studios around the country such as the Corning Museum of Glass and Ox-Bow School of Art.