Bennie Glass

Ben Elliott is a glass artist and educator based in Burnsville, NC where he maintains a studio along the Cane River. He earned his M.F.A. from Kent State University in Ohio and his B.F.A. from the University of North Carolina in Asheville. He balances his time in the studio between creating functional glasswork and sculptural pieces. He stays involved with the glass community, contributing to regional craft schools and organizations, fostering a collaborative spirit. With a love for teaching, Ben has taught at Penland School of Craft, Appalachian School of Craft, NC Glass Center, and Kent State University. His personal time is spent with his kids and pets, homesteading, and communing with nature.

Ben’s work weaves familiar scenes and objects into personal visual narratives. Each piece subtly references objects from the past, blended with imagery from the present, evoking a sense of time's passage. Through his art, he hopes to stir emotions, thoughts, or hints of nostalgia for viewers, inviting them to engage with their own memories and experiences. His intuitive process allows a dialogue to unfold between his internal and external landscape.