ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The breathtaking beauty of blown glass greets visitors at the Duncan McClellan Gallery.

  • Artist Duncan McClellan uses his art to engage young students
  • McClellan's studio is located in St. Pete's Warehouse District
  • Duncan McClellan Gallery

Located in St. Petersburg’s creatively booming warehouse arts district, renowned american glass artist Duncan McClellan showcases his  beautiful work as well as work by other internationally known artists and by students.

Back in 2013 he made an important decision.

"I wanted a way that we could reach kids," McClellan said.

And he did that by creating the DMG School Project, a non-profit organization which includes glass art classes, scholarship and outreach programs and artist residencies.

The McClellan gallery is one of the largest art glass galleries in the east.

It is an opportunity for young people, many from low income homes, to explore their artistic side.

"We can use glass," he said. "And it gets the kids attention."

And if you can get kids to relate to what they’re learning now, (it) gives them a reason. Duncan is very proud of his students and of the place he calls the city of the arts.

"Twenty percent of the visitors coming to St. Pete come here because of the arts and culture," he said. "I mean that’s an astounding number."

A number he hopes to grow with the help of some talented young local artists who simply needed that chance.