Save The Temple
A New Home for an International Glass Arts Center
Create -- Educate -- Improving LIves
We have an opportunity to not only save a historic building...We have the opportunity to create an international glass arts center. This center will have a significant economic impact on downtown Shreveport and the surrounding communities. The building is at the gateway of downtown shreveport. It welcomes people into town. The building is on the National Historic Building Registry and is listed by the State of Louisiana as one of the most endangered historic buildings in our state.
We need the communities help. You can donate by clicking the button below. This will take you directly to the Community Foundation of North Louisiana's Fund that has been established to support the restoration of the Temple. You can volunteer by calling 504-390-4377. The capital campaign we have developed has. many opportunities for volunteers. And finally, you can get the word out. Share this website or have people follow us on the "Save the B'nai Zion Temple" website. You can also get us in touch with people you know that may want to sponsor at the various "Naming RIghts" levels.
So What is an International Glass Arts Center?
Art Students from all over the world will come to Shreveport during the summer to take intensive courses from internationally renowned Artists. Courses will be taught in glassblowing, flame working, kiln casting, sand casting, stained glass, glass painting, glass jewelry, and photo transfer onto glass. The building, once renovated, will include a state-of-the art glassblowing hot shop, kiln-casting room, cold shop, flame working studio, fabrication laboratory, commercial kitchen, sanctuary event space, a high end gallery and a coffee shop that will serve light lunches.
Sanctuary Arts School's ongoing nonprofit programming will move into the building from its current Lake Street location as will the SAS Gallerie and Sanctuary Paint Party which is presently located at the Louisiana Boardwalk. Each year Sanctuary Arts School reaches over 8,000 people a year with our outreach and educational programs. Many are aware of our Sanctuary Glass Studio where people come to do create-your-own glass workshops and participate in demonstrations. We have or we are providing free arts classes and programs for the children or adults at Shriner's Hospital, Volunteer of American's Lighthouse Program, Lovewell Center (The Hub), Renzi Educational & Arts Center, Common Ground, Holy Angels, Military with PTSD, Residents in nursing homes and affordable housing and the Louisiana Association for the Blind. We participate in the DDA ArtWalk, SRAC ArtBreak, The Red River Revel and we are the official glass artists for the Shreveport Aquarium. We were voted the "Best Group Experience" by the local Tourist Bureau. You can learn more about our Studio at sanctuaryglassstudio.com.
The Temple Today
The Temple, which has not been occupied for over 25 years has fallen into disrepair. Sanctuary Arts School purchased the building in 2018. After years of planning we will begin restoring this beautiful structure. We recently received a $ 400,000 HUD grant to fix the roof, drain and seal the basements and repair the windows. Soon you will see progress being made to restore this historic building. Below are photos of the present state of the Temple:
