the institute

THE FOUNDING OF NOCGI
As a result of Hurricane Katrina and the flooding that followed, New Orleans was faced with the total loss of its vibrant and growing glass art community. Virtually all of its glass studios were either damaged, offline or completely destroyed. We had to do something to save our community in crisis. In response, a group of local glass artists and their supporters came together forming the New Orleans Creative Glass Institute to serve not only as a center for glass artists to create their work, but also as a place where anyone curious about the glass arts could meet glass artists and experience glass art making.  With the support of local foundations, the Arts Council of New Orleans and the Louisiana Division of the Arts, NOCGI opened its public access glass art studio and education center on Conti Street in September of 2006.

NOCGI's MISSION
Our mission is to support and grow the New Orleans glass art community by providing exceptional and affordable service to glass artists and the public throughout the city. Achieving our mission involves educating young people, professional artists, and casual art lovers. We reach out to art's advocates regionally, nationally and internationally to foster and perpetuate the growth of New Orleans' contemporary art glass community.

NOCGI accomplishes its mission by
• Providing a world-class venue for glass artists and students to come together, produce and participate in the glass art community;
• Developing avenues for training such as professional, child and youth education programs, cultural outreach programs and vocational programs in the glass arts;
• Offering key promotional services to increase our audience of artists, art collectors and art advocates;
• Generating opportunities for economic development of the glass arts in New Orleans.

NOCGI Board of Directors
Carlos Zervigon, President/CEO
Angela Bernard
Eddie Bernard
Steven Dumez
Mitchell Gaudet
Gene Koss
Laurel Porcari
Gerald Haessig

Jenny Knox, Studio Director/Manager

SUPPORT
NOCGI is generously supported by grants from the Ford Foundation in partnership with the Alliance of Artists Communities, the Louisiana Division of the Arts, the Arts Council of New Orleans, the Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation, the Surdna Foundation, the RosaMary Foundation, the Keller Family Foundation and donations from arts enthusiasts everywhere.

NOCGI is a member of the Alliance of Artists Communities, the National Guild of Community Schools in the Arts, and GAS, the International Glass Art Society.