Despite some setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic, artist Harriet Harris has opened a thriving studio in Bradenton’s Village of the Arts. Since it opened, Witchgrass Studio is steadily growing and making its mark among art lovers.
Harriet brings color and light into your life with gorgeous handcrafted glass art, home décor, and jewelry. From the moment you step inside the studio, you’ll be impressed by the huge array of truly unique items. The gallery itself is ever-changing, with Harriet constantly incorporating new elements and designs into her work.
This talented artist began her journey to the VOTA purely by chance. She and her husband were visiting Bradenton on vacation and stopped at the Village of the Arts for a shopping adventure. Little did she know, she would find a much bigger opportunity. It was during this vacation that she came across her current studio, which was for sale. They purchased the property, moved here in 2019, and opened the studio in February of 2020.
Harriet says that creating her work is really more “math and science” than it is art. She uses art glass to make her projects, creating colors using different minerals, metals, and elements. She also uses multiple kiln firings, various temperatures, and the manipulation of chemical reactions between colors to help bring out different shading and textures within her work. Many of her pieces also feature embedded sand from the local beaches in the Bradenton area.
When we sat down to meet with Harriet, she explained that the Village of Arts is the perfect place for her studio. The VOTA is home to many different artists and mediums, and she just loves how this place brings out the best of what they do.
“There’s so much diversity in the styles and materials people use,” Harriet says. The VOTA has a variety of customers looking for different things, and she loves meeting new people who are wandering around the area in search of new treasures.
Want to Try it For Yourself?
If you’ve ever wondered about your own artistic ability, now is your chance to experiment with creating glass art! Witchgrass Studio hosts “Pod Parties” for groups of three to six would-be artists. You don’t have to have any experience – Harriet will teach you all the basics and let you play around as you create your own glass masterpiece.
These classes are meant to be relaxing and fun! You’re welcome to BYOB so you can enjoy your favorite adult beverages and snacks during your session. The cost depends on what you decide to create. It starts at $30 to make your own unique necklace and goes up from there.
Witchgrass Studio is located in the Village of the Arts at 917 12th Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34205. They’re open Thurs, Fri, and Sat from 11 am to 4 pm and Friday evenings during Art Walk weekends.
For reservations or inquiries, you can text or call 907-351-3409 or email Harriet at witchgrass.studio@yahoo.com. You can also follow her on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with all her latest creations and events. When you stop by (and we hope you will!) be sure to tell her you heard about it on Discover Bradenton.
