Quilting and stained glass both celebrate the beauty of assembling many small pieces into one beautiful design. In this introductory and extended workshop, you’ll explore the timeless connection between these two crafts by creating your own “quilted” stained glass panel inspired by traditional quilt block patterns.

 

Students will learn about classic quilt block designs, select a favorite from a curated collection of patterns, and then dive into the copper foil stained glass process, from cutting and foiling to soldering and finishing.

 

Whether you’re a beginner eager to learn or a returning student looking for a fresh challenge, this workshop offers a creative blend of color, pattern, and light. No prior experience with quilting or stained glass is needed.

 

 

Crawl into the world of molten glass. In this introductory workshop, learn the basics of using a 3,000°F torch to melt and sculpt glass rods into beetles, bugs, and creepy or cute creatures. Guided by a skilled instructor, you’ll add color, legs, spots, and personality. Turn your buggy creations into magnets or keep them as mini sculptures. Perfect for your home, fridge, or friend who loves tiny creatures.

Due to the nature of hot glass, your items will be available for pickup 5 days after your activity.

PGC 177 Bring the outdoors inside. In this introductory workshop, create whimsical glass leaves using a 3,000°F torch. Guided by a skilled instructor, learn torch basics and explore shaping and surface techniques to form expressive, leaf-inspired designs. Add a loop to make it a pendant or keep them as mini sculptures. Perfect for brightening your décor, gifting, or celebrating the seasons.

PGC 156

Create a beautiful glass home for your favorite air plants. In this introductory workshop, you will gather glass from the 2,100°F furnace and add color. Then, guided by a skilled instructor, you will blow, shape, and sculpt it into a one-of-a-kind terrarium.

This workshop is a fun introductory experience into hot glassblowing. Each participant will craft two blown glass terrariums, perfect for displaying your air plants, cuttings, or trinkets. (Air plants not included.)

Due to the nature of hot glass, your items will be available for pickup 5 days after your activity.

Bring your garden to life with a vibrant stained glass mushroom. In this introductory workshop, you’ll explore the fundamentals of stained glass. Under the guidance of a skilled instructor, you’ll learn to cut, wrap, and solder glass from a pattern into a fun and funky mushroom that brightens potted plants or outdoor beds. Great for adding personality and sparkle to any space.

 

 

SiO2 Flameworking is a hands-on, after school program specifically for students in grades 9 -12. Classes meet once a week for 10 sessions. This class does not meet on 3/3/2026.

High school-aged students will work closely with professional teaching artists to learn how to use a 3,000°F tabletop torch, the heat it generates, and gravity to shape molten glass. They will learn about borosilicate, a hard glass with a high melting point that can be used to make a variety of small sculptures, jewelry, and more. Young artists are encouraged to bring their creativity to the torch.

This program is designed with youth in mind. The course focuses on safety, confidence building with materials, and teaching foundational glassmaking skills to young artists. Sessions and content will vary and adapt to students' interests and skills. This program is often taken more than once. We encourage our students from Mixed and Mashed Up to level up to this program, but no previous experience is required.

Students who participate in SiO2 Flameworking are invited to participate in a celebration and exhibition at the end of the semester and are also invited to show their work in a rotating display on Pittsburgh Glass Center’s third floor.

PGC is committed to facilitating access for all young people. We offer full- and half-tuition scholarships for middle school and high school students based on application strength. No previous glass or art experience is required. Our only prerequisites are enthusiasm, curiosity, and eagerness to learn.

APPLY NOW for a youth scholarship at this link.

PGC 154 Illuminate your rituals with the beauty of blown glass. In this introductory workshop, you will gather glass from the 2,100°F furnace and add colors of your choice. Then, guided by a skilled instructor, you’ll blow and shape the glass into elegant Shabbat candle holders, designed to reflect and amplify the warmth of candlelight.

This workshop is a fun introduction to hot glassblowing. Each participant will create a pair of blown glass candle holders perfect for marking Shabbat, celebrating tradition, or bringing a meaningful, handmade glow into your home.

PGC 200

Roll into the magic of molten glass. In this introductory workshop, learn torch basics and melt and manipulate glass rods into colorful, swirling marbles using a 3,000°F torch. Guided by a skilled instructor, you’ll add decorative techniques like twists, dots, and trails to create one-of-a-kind designs. Use graphite molds to perfect your sphere and walk away with a set perfect for collecting or sharing.

 

 

 

Due to the nature of hot glass, your items will be available for pickup 5 days after your activity.