“I just have so much gratitude for this life and I have seen so much. This art form took me out of the Bronx and in front of presidents and so many people. I have a lot of hutzpah but it takes a village; I have so much gratitude for people and the possibilities that I was given. Today, I teach the classes because I want kids to see a leader in action and to be able to say I can do this too. He looks like me.”   

As visitors look on, artists and students are busy in one of the Workhouse’s airy buildings. Photo by April Greer for Visit Fairfax

The mission to build a world class glassblowing studio was achieved in 1995 and has been thriving ever since and has seen three expansions. Photo by Tom Farkas

Part of “In Focus: Artists at Work,” these panels provide information about artists featured in short films shown in a ground-floor gallery. Photo by Linda Cabasin

An introductory video in the visitor center shows artists such as instructor Dmitri Wright painting on-site.