Glass Growers Gallery is just a short stroll from the Gannon campus (Photo courtesy of www.glassgrowersgallery.com).
Glass Growers Gallery is just a short stroll from the Gannon campus (Photo courtesy of www.glassgrowersgallery.com).

Although one’s eye may be first drawn toward Erie’s Starbucks, McDonald’s and other typical landmarks of a small city – a second glance down the side streets and Perry Square reveal a more eclectic vibe. One of these eclectic Erie locations is the Glass Growers Gallery, located at 10 East Fifth St., behind Deluca’s Convenience store and next to the Erie Art Museum expansion.

Glass Growers Gallery was founded in 1974 to provide the community with the opportunity to explore fine works of art, including jewelry, pottery, blown glass, metal and wood works.

Visitors to the gallery can also purchase paintings, prints and sculptures from local artists, or take advantage of the gallery’s art, consultation and fine art appraisal services.

Open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., visitors to Glass Growers Gallery can purchase works of art, and appreciate the art on display in their gallery.

The gallery displays many exhibits throughout the year. The current exhibit, going on now through March 2, features the work of Richard Sadlier. 

Sadlier, an abstract painter who has studied at Ohio State University and Columbus School of Art Design, has had his art featured at the University of Notre Dame, Huntington Bank, PNC Bank, Mercyhurst College, and many other private collections across the United States. Visitors to his exhibit can lose themselves in his colorful and eccentric works of art.

Aside from visiting the current exhibit, patrons can wander through the many sections of the Gallery, which include paintings, photography, fiber art, mixed media and glass work.

But Glass Growers Gallery is more than just an art gallery and more than just a store. It’s one of those places that make you stop and stare upon first looking in the front door; and proceeds to draw you inside.

It’s one of the many places hidden in the streets of Erie that make this college town unique.