Join us for a FREE Artists Talk with members of the 2026 Fountain Project. 

The Fountain Project 2026 is a collaboration between Belger Glass Annex and Powell Gardens, Kansas City’s Botanical Garden. Selected through a national call for artists, a nine-person collective of glassmakers is coming together to create an ambitious project inspired by Kansas City’s distinction as the “City of Fountains.”

Each member of the project will give a brief overview of their personal art practice before answering questions from the audience. Learn more about this diverse group of visiting glass artists and how their experience in glass will shape the final piece that will be installed at Powell Gardens from May 2 through June 21.

About the Artists:

  • Abigail Amundson is an emerging multimedia artist based in Corning, New York, whose work explores the intersection of nature and spirituality. She recently graduated from Bowling Green State University and works with the Corning Museum of Glass Hot Glass team.
  • Michael Carson, originally from Indiana, focuses on functional blown glass inspired by historical Venetian techniques. Currently, a resident artist at Belger Arts, he has worked with studios across the Midwest and with the Corning Museum of Glass Hot Glass team.
  • Justin Jenicke is a Kansas City-based artist who has been working with glass for over 20 years. He has worked with artists from around the globe, and his work is defined by clean lines and symmetrical repeating patterns.
  • Keegan O’Brien, based in Kansas City, earned his BFA from Bowling Green State University. His sculptural glasswork explores light and material, and he currently works as a gaffer at Monarch Glass Studio.
  • Jacqueline Polofka is the artist behind Double Dipped Studios on Kelleys Island, Ohio. A graduate of Bowling Green State University, she specializes in blown glass and previously worked at institutions including the Corning Museum of Glass and Chrysler Museum of Art.
  • Ori Shir is co-owner of Shir Glassworks in Greenfield, Massachusetts. His nature-inspired glasswork ranges from functional to sculptural and is exhibited nationwide.
  • Lauryl Sidwell is a Kansas City-based artist who transitioned from stained glass to hot glass in 2023 and continues to expand her practice through studio work and classes.
  • Brandon Smith is a glass and mixed-media artist, blacksmith, and educator based in Pennsylvania. He holds an MFA from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and leads the glass program at Keystone College.
  • Tyler Suter is a resident artist at Belger Arts in Kansas City whose sculptures in glass and ceramics are inspired by organic forms and the natural world.

Other public events in conjunction with the artist talk include:

  • Saturday, April 25 & Monday, April 27 – Free “behind the scenes” viewing of the fountain production process from 1:30PM – 5:00PM at the Belger Glass Annex (1219 E. 19th St., KCMO).
  • First Friday, May 1 – First Friday glass blowing demonstration featuring the project team from 6:00PM – 8:00PM at the Belger Glass Annex (1219 E. 19th St., KCMO).
  • Saturday, May 2 – Brunch with Artists from the Belger Arts Fountain Project and Fountain unveiling from 10:00AM – 12:00PM at Powell Gardens (1609 NW US Hwy 50, Kingsville, MO 64061).

Visit Belgerarts.org to learn more about upcoming events and projects.