In 2010 McClellan, an internationally known glass blower, moved to south St. Petersburg with a vision to prove art could change a community. By 2013 he founded the DMG School Project, a 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to inspiring Tampa Bay's schools and emerging artists through the medium of glass art. DMG School Project's multi-faceted programs include glass art classes, educational lectures, scholarships, free glass blowing demonstrations, outreach programs, and emerging artist residencies. To date, DMG School Project has demonstrated glass blowing and glass etching techniques to over 100,000 area students and has two mobile glass labs to visit underprivileged schools.
Duncan's recent work has been the development of the Warehouse Arts District, where he established his own Duncan McClellan Gallery. Before the development, many people avoided the area and believed it was too dangerous to visit, now roughly 250 artists live or work in the area making it a popular destination. McClellan often hosts fundraisers and other charity events at the Duncan McClellan Gallery. He also uses his own glass-blowing talents and knowledge to help other local non-profits by raffling his own pieces and organizing lectures with other well-known glass blowers.
Duncan McClellan becomes the 338th Lightning Community Hero since Jeff and Penny Vinik introduced the Lightning Community Hero program in 2011-12 with a $10 million, five-season commitment to the Tampa Bay community. Through this evening's game, in total, the Lightning Foundation has granted $17 million to more than 400 different nonprofits in the Greater Tampa Bay area. During the summer of 2016, the Vinik's announced that the community hero program will give away another $10-million over the next five seasons.
