Sculpting Community Through Glass: Inside the Benzaiten Center with JB Berkow & Grace Chepneik
ArtiGras Podcast · ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival
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Show Notes
Join us as we sit down with this week’s guests, JB Berkow and Grace Chepneik, two powerhouse artists from the Benzaiten Center for Creative Arts in Lake Worth, Florida. JB is a renowned painter, sculptor, and the visionary founder of the Center, while Grace is a rising star in the world of hot glass and serves as the Center’s Hot Shop Manager.
Together, we explore their creative journeys, the mission behind the Benzaiten Center, and how this historic train station-turned-art-hub is attracting artists and visitors from around the globe. From molten glass to bold bronze sculptures, this episode dives deep into the power of perseverance, creative evolution, and building a collaborative artistic community.
Join us as we discuss:
- JB’s journey from oil painting to glass casting—and why she created Benzaiten.
- Grace’s unexpected shift from painting to glass—and how the “glass bug” caught her.
- The international artists that Benzaiten brings in, and the global techniques shared.
- The physical and emotional demands of glassblowing—and the art of happy accidents.
- How the Center serves as both a fabrication hub for professional artists and a hands-on education space for the community.
Artists and Creative Professionals! 📣 For free resources and even more insight into the arts & culture of Palm Beach County visit our Sponsor’s website! https://www.palmbeachculture.com
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Connect with JB Berkow:
Instagram: @jbberkow
Website: www.benzaitencenter.org
Connect with Grace Chepenik:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gracechepenikart/?hl=en
Website: https://www.gracechepenik.com
Presented to you by: Cultural Council for Palm Beach County
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