After exploring glass-blowing in college, Wyatt Maxwell figured his hometown, Nashville, was ready for an art glass studio where guests could observe and participate in the craft, make their own projects and buy work from world-class glass artisans. He floated the idea to his parents, Juliana and Joe Maxwell, who recognized the opportunity to bring something polished and beautiful to a Fairgrounds-area thoroughfare in transition.

The entrepreneurial Maxwells knew they needed an expert in glass art to start things off right — someone like Paul Nelson. The veteran glass artist had been working in Louisville for 22 years, establishing Glassworks and Flame Run Studios and teaching at universities and residencies. Student Wyatt met instructor Paul in a residency at Centre College in Danville, Ky. But they had another connection: Both Paul and Wyatt studied with art teacher David Tucker at Franklin Road Academy — Paul at the beginning of David’s career and Wyatt near the end. Their shared educational experience led to a creative partnership.

In late 2023, the Maxwells and Paul, with help from other glass artists, debuted Glasshaüs, a campus of creative entrepreneurship that combines an art gallery, a hot shop with glass-blowing classes and demonstrations, event space for rent, and a coffee shop.

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On any day of the week, Wyatt and Paul can be found working together in front of a 2,100-degree furnace. Wyatt’s mother, Juliana, heads the Maxwell Gallery, representing a dozen artists and hosting rotating exhibits of glass artists from around the world. Thanks to relationships with top-tier talent (like Paul), Maxwell Gallery pulls in work by marquee names including Dan Alexander, Robert Burch, John Miller, Grant Garmezy and the late Stephen Rolfe Powell, for whom Paul was once an apprentice. Juliana collaborates with Paul to design, fabricate and install custom pieces, while financial technology entrepreneur Joe helps on the business side. 

Guests can engage at Glasshaüs in several ways, ranging from free live demos to individual glass-making sessions and large group classes. Or just order a glass of something to drink at the attached cafe. The cheery, well-lit dining room offers breakfast and lunch, cocktails and mocktails, and a roster of house-roasted coffee drinks served in Glasshaüs’ handmade ceramic mugs, all below a gleaming constellation of locally blown glass sculptures. 

For events, venue rentals and custom work, visit nashvilleglasshaus.com.