Lommel (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): The GlazenHuis, a contemporary glass art center in Lommel, is undergoing a €4.6 million, 2-year expansion to improve exhibitions and education, while a new studio, Dorp, will open in the town center.
The GlazenHuis in Lommel, which has been around since 2007 as a center for contemporary glass art, is about to get a big upgrade to modernize and expand what it offers. After nearly 20 years, it needs a complete refresh, with plans to improve exhibition spaces and update its technology. The expansion will create bigger and more flexible areas for displaying contemporary glass art, allowing for exhibitions. New glassblowing equipment and better lighting will help make the GlazenHuis an important place for innovative glass art.
What changes are coming to the GlazenHuis and Lommel’s glass scene?
It has been said that this renewal will also strengthen GlazenHuis’s educational and community programs, providing more chances for workshops, artist residencies, and public demonstrations. By expanding its reach and improving its facilities, the GlazenHuis hopes to become a leading center for glass art worldwide while also connecting more with Lommel’s cultural scene. The project will make sure that the center stays a lively and exciting place for both artists and visitors in the future.
Lommel is getting a new glass studio in the town center called the Dorp, which will celebrate its history with sand and glass. The modern building will have big windows so people can see glassblowers at work, making it easier for visitors to connect with the art of glassmaking. There will be a cozy area where people can watch the glassblowers create beautiful pieces. This studio will mix modern design with traditional skills, helping to tell Lommel’s story and making it a place where people can learn about and appreciate artisanal glass art.
The new building will focus on education by starting a college program in glass art with Hogeschool PXL, and it will have more space for exhibitions. There will also be a microbrewery that uses heat from the glass ovens. It will look different from the famous glass building, which will become a tourist reception. The historic Huis Aerts will be set apart to highlight it more. The whole project costs 4.6 million euros and will take 2 years to finish. During this time, the Lommel tourist office will move to a nearby building on Kerkstraat.
