Beat the mall crowds at Hilltop Artists holiday glass sale

Photos by Kathy Anderson

FIRST-CLASS GLASS. (Above) Hilltop Artists member Samantha Scalise creates her works in glass like a pro.

Hilltop Artists will be having its annual holiday glass sale on Saturday, Dec. 12. The sale, which has been going on for 15 years, showcases all sorts of amazing art glass made by young students at Hilltop Artists for sale to the general public for personal enjoyment and holiday gift giving. It’s the community’s opportunity to celebrate the season while supporting these deserving, budding artists. Admission to the sale is free and open to the public. Because this is such a popular event, guests can come early that day and get a numbered ticket then come back to shop when the sale opens.

Accompanying the sale, a VIP event will be held Dec. 11 for people who have donated $200 or more to Hilltop Artists this year. VIPs will be able to bring a guest to browse and shop at their leisure that evening, prior to the holiday sale opening the next day. Guests will have an opportunity to take a bead-making lesson, make their own holiday ornament and commission specific pieces in their favorite colors and watch them being made into a glass treasure. The evening will be filled with hot glass performances, demonstrations, special guests and a buffet of appetizers and desserts. Anyone can become a Hilltop Artists VIP, either by making donations during business hours or by donating at the door the night of the VIP event.

At the sale Dec. 12 there will be a wide range of items, from $15 paperweights, bookmarks and small bowls, up to very large wavy bowls priced at $375. There will be beautiful jewelry, original vases, drinking glasses, platters and bowls in a range of sizes and colors, and lots of holiday ornaments.

The sale will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The glass wares for both events will be set up in the Jason Lee Middle School Hot Shop and Gymnasium (602 N. Sprague Ave.). Guests are invited to stop by at 9 a.m. to get their admission ticket and a buy-one-get-one-free voucher for coffee and treats at Origins 23 (a Hilltop Artists sponsor) then return at 10 a.m. to enter the sale in groups of 20. Guests will be admitted in the order of the tickets given out.

Established in 1994 with the help of Dale Chihuly, Hilltop Artists is a non-profit glass arts program that provides classes and individualized instruction for more than 500 students each year. Their motto is straighforward and admirable: “Using glass art to connect young people from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds to better futures,”

Through the program young people have an opportunity to learn the art of glass blowing, mosaics, fused glass and beadwork. “Hilltop Artists serves a diverse group of youth and is especially effective with young people who are searching for ways to connect and belong,” says Kit Evans, executive director of the Hilltop Artists in Residence.

There is an additional focus on assisting those who find themselves struggling academically, socially and/or behaviorally. Hilltop Artists also does specific outreach in communities that are dealing with high risk factors related to poverty, neglect, homelessness, substance abuse and violence. No students are refused services based on their past behavior, grades, disabilities or artistic talent. “We are a tuition-free program and provide all staff, supplies and materials,” Evans said.

Proceeds from sales, a core source of income for the non-profit, will go to support Hilltop Artists programs, materials and scholarships.

For more information or to place donations, call (253) 571-7670, send e-mail to or or visit their brand new website, courtesy of Rusty George Creative, at http://www.hilltopartists.org. Hilltop Artists also has a fan page on Facebook.

Commenting rules