Salem Community College (SCC) has two internationally recognized programs focused in the manipulation of glass. The interest in these programs required the College to move the program off-campus in order to serve more students. The new Glass Education Center would put the courses back on the main campus and increase the size of the offsite studio/lab facility by 50%.

SCC realized that they had a short fuse to get the project started and be ready for classes in early September. They turned to local Builder TriMark Building Contractors to help them develop the project. TriMark suggested teaming with BlueScope Construction and using the Sourcewell purchasing cooperative contract to get the design-build process started without the long, drawn-out public bidding effort.

BlueScope Construction’s design charrette included all stakeholders including the Mayor and the building code official to ensure the building would meet all requirements. Salem Community College conferred with outside counsel to verify that the construction process through Sourcewell met all legal criteria.

The facility has two flameworking studios, 20 student workspaces and one instructor bench in each studio for a total of 42 flameworking benches. The hot shop area has four glassblowing benches and there are expanded coldworking and kiln areas, storage and workspaces. A dedicated fabrication studio contains metal and woodworking equipment and a 280 square foot gallery allows student to showcase their work.

The facility was funded through New Jersey Community College Chapter 12 capital projects program and the generosity of longtime SCC benefactors Sam and Jean Jones. The facility was formally named after the benefactors at the building dedication ceremony which was highlighted by a glass ribbon cutting.