Firebird Community Arts (formerly Project FIRE) is an artist development + employment program that offers healing through glassblowing for youth who have experienced trauma due to gun violence. Through glass arts education, mentoring, and trauma specific psychoeducation, participating youth not only learn teamwork and how to manage their emotions, but also become skilled at glassmaking and have the opportunity to sell their work.
Co-founded by master glass blower Pearl Dick and clinical psychologist Bradley Stolbach, Firebird is a partnership of Healing Hurt Chicago, a hospital-based violence intervention program, Firehouse Glass Studio and ArtReach Chicago. When entertaining family and friends, you’ll be proud to share that these hand blown wine stoppers and coasters are not only functional art pieces but also symbols for a brighter future for Firebird Community Art’s youth.
