NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — In the seam of downtown Norfolk and the Ghent District lives the Chrysler Museum of Art's reimagined Perry Glass Studio. Chrysler Museum of Art reimagines Perry Glass Studio with $30 million expansion Six years of planning and 18 months of construction went into amplifying the incubator space, with all sectors now fully executed. "It's a dream come true to see it emerging fully finished and ready to go," said Thom White, Work Program Architects design principal. "I think it will be huge. It will have the ability to reach a lot more visitors, to educate students and glassmaking and the arts around glass. It's so versatile in the way that it can handle programming, whether that be productions in the theater, hot shop or this classroom." The multimillion-dollar expansion led by Work Program Architects and Hourigan will present forever opportunities for glass artists of all levels to sharpen and showcase their crafts thanks to the new classroom additions. Previously: Chrysler Museum’s Perry Glass Studio to triple in size with expansion "I think we are certainly leaning in to the idea that Norfolk and Hampton Roads are an arts center," said Erik Neil, director of the Chrysler Museum of Art. "I think I will say at the moment we're celebrating ourselves as being a real jewel in the crown of the arts. But we've got a lot of great colleagues in our community. The arts festival, the theaters, a bunch of theater programs, music, you know, all of those good things are here." A major offering is the Perry Glass Studio assistantship program, sparking student interest from abroad. It's geared toward those who've completed a glass-focused undergraduate degree program or are pursuing a professional career in the glass industry. This marks the 32nd program. 10 On Your Side's Lauren Martinez was introduced to three emerging international artists, designing with the studio for a six-month stint. "I'm from South Africa, from a small village in the northwest called Marakwet," said Thato Kokwana of the Perry Glass Studio assistantship program. "I would like to give the studio the credit for the freedom that they give to the students, because really, we get freedom of artistic expression, if I can put it that way, because it is something that I've been longing for." Kokwana is also able to connect in the program with Malebogo Molokoanem of South Africa as well. "I'm originally from South Africa in a small township in the west," Molokoanem said. "For me, it means a lot. Not only am I only doing this for myself, I feel I'm doing it for everyone back home because it's [not] a given opportunity as much, as we come from a foreign country where glass is not well known." The Perry Glass Studio will host its grand opening this weekend, welcoming the public to a destination for glass artists, no matter where they come from. For more information, click here. ...read more read less