Central Ward Councilmember Amina Bey and GR Exec Dir Carol Losos, photo by Mitchell Cornish
(NEWARK, NJ) -- On Tuesday, October 6, 2026 from 4:30pm - 6:00pm, Newark Glass Art Center, GlassRoots, celebrated their move to a new space at 23 William Street in Downtown Newark with a grand opening culminating in a glass ribbon cut by Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka. The GlassRoots Grand Opening kicked off with an impressive roster of speakers, each introduced by GlassRoots Executive Director, Carol Losos, as she narrated the organization's journey from two torches at The Boys & Girls Club of Newark to their bespoke, state-of-the-art 10,000 sq ft facility.
Speakers included Mayor Ras J. Baraka; Senator Teresa M. Ruiz; Central Ward Councilmember Amina Bey; Barbara Bickart, Senior Advisor, Arts and Culture, NJEDA; Marcus T. Randolph, CEO of InvestNewark; Roger C. Tucker III, Former Chair, GlassRoots Board of Directors; Jan Nicholson, The Nicholson Foundation.
Mayor Baraka Delivers Remarks, photo by Mitchell Cornish
Also in attendance was Jasmine Hoff, Outreach Manager from Congresswoman LaMonica McIver's Office, who presented a congratulatory certificate to the organization.
The evening culminated with the molten glass ribbon cutting by Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka who also worked with GlassRoots Studio Director, Rob Panepinto, to make an original glass-blown artwork - on the spot! - from the glass ribbon fragments.
GlassRoots' new home at 23 William St. was designed by Inglese Architecture and Engineering and the general contractor was Phelps Construction Group.
GlassRoots' expansion would not have been possible without the generous support of the City of Newark, the Nicholson Foundation, The Common Sense Fund, the S. Irving and Anne Nevard Sherr Foundation, Invest Newark, our 2020 Capital Campaign donors and RBH Group who worked closely with us to secure crucial funding from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) under the Activation, Revitalization and Transformation (A.R.T.) Program aimed at revitalizing the economic centers of cultural destinations in Newark and Atlantic City.
GlassRoots Supporters with Mayor Baraka, photo by Mitchell Cornish
Saturday, Oct 24, 2026
@ 7:30pm
NJPAC - Prudential Hall
Newark, NJ
Thursday, Nov 19, 2026
@ 1:30pm
NJPAC - Prudential Hall
Newark, NJ
Eric Jacobsen conductor
Christian McBride double bass
Chris Komer horn
New Jersey Symphony
Sunday, Dec 20, 2026
@ 7:00pm
Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart
Newark, NJ
