Join us for Nerd Nite at Pittsburgh Glass Center.

Learn about glass and make new friends with a one-of-a-kind speed friending and glass making experience. It’s perfect for glass lovers, nerds, or anyone looking to try something new and meet someone new.

Nerd Nite Pittsburgh is a lecture series that’s a mix between a comedy show, TED talk, and a social mixer. Speakers present for 15 minutes on a variety of topics related to science and technology, popular culture, history, and other nerdery with a vibe that’s as entertaining as it is academic. Audience members can ask questions, and there is an entirely optional social game. Expect to learn new and fascinating things, making friends with other nerds and enjoy food and drinks.

Your experience at Pittsburgh Glass Center includes:

• A 15-20 minute quick hands-on glassmaking session (details below)

• Captivating live glassblowing demonstrations 5-7PM

• Tasty drinks and snacks 5-7 PM

• Speed friending (optional) 7-8 PM Get more details

• A nerdy presentation diving deep into an array of diverse subjects. Previous topics include bug butts, megaraptors, and cosplay 8-9pm

Make a Flameworked Pendant

Fire up the torch, shape molten glass, and turn fire and color into wearable art. In this quick and exciting flame shop experience, you’ll work closely with a skilled artist to gather and shape molten glass into a hand-crafted pendant using a 3,000°F torch. Whether you’re flying solo or coming with friends, this is more than just a class. It’s an experience that blends artistry, hands-on fun, and nerding out. Be there AND be square!

Our quick hands-on introductory glassmaking experiences are perfect for beginners. They give a taste of the excitement, skill, and artistry that goes into working with glass in a supportive, guided setting.

Ages 21+ (Guests under 21 not permitted.)

Due to the nature of hot glass, items cannot be taken home the same day they are created. All items made must go through an annealing process to slowly cool the glass. Items are available for pick-up after 5 days. Shipping can be arranged on site the day of your activity.

Our Hot, Kiln, and Flame Studios will all be active with pre-registerable activities during this event. Only one glassmaking registration is necessary to enjoy all of the Nerd Nite offerings, but you are welcome to sign up separately for all three! The other options include: Hot Sculpted Glass Paperweight and Fused Suncatcher.

Join us for Nerd Nite at Pittsburgh Glass Center.

Learn about glass and make new friends with a one-of-a-kind speed friending and glass making experience. It’s perfect for glass lovers, nerds, or anyone looking to try something new and meet someone new.

Nerd Nite Pittsburgh is a lecture series that’s a mix between a comedy show, TED talk, and a social mixer. Speakers present for 15 minutes on a variety of topics related to science and technology, popular culture, history, and other nerdery with a vibe that’s as entertaining as it is academic. Audience members can ask questions, and there is an entirely optional social game. Expect to learn new and fascinating things, making friends with other nerds and enjoy food and drinks.

Your experience at Pittsburgh Glass Center includes:

• A 15-20 minute quick hands-on glassmaking session (details below)

• Captivating live glassblowing demonstrations 5-7PM

• Tasty drinks and snacks 5-7 PM

• Speed friending (optional) 7-8 PM Get more details

• A nerdy presentation diving deep into an array of diverse subjects. Previous topics include bug butts, megaraptors, and cosplay 8-9PM

Make a Sculpted Glass Paperweight

Feel the heat of the hot shop while you encapsulate a color in hot glass. In this quick and exciting hot shop experience, you’ll work closely with a skilled artist to twist, shape, and pull molten glass from our 2,100°F furnace into a colorful one-of-a-kind sculpture. Whether you’re flying solo or coming with friends, this is more than just a class. It’s an experience that blends artistry, hands-on fun, and nerding out. Be there AND be square!

Our quick hands-on introductory glassmaking experiences are perfect for beginners. They give a taste of the excitement, skill, and artistry that goes into working with glass in a supportive, guided setting.

Ages 21+ (Guests under 21 not permitted.)

Due to the nature of hot glass, items cannot be taken home the same day they are created. All items made must go through an annealing process to slowly cool the glass. Items are available for pick-up after 5 days. Shipping can be arranged on site the day of your activity.

Our Hot, Kiln, and Flame Studios will all be active with pre-registerable activities during this event. Only one glassmaking registration is necessary to enjoy all of the Nerd Nite offerings, but you are welcome to sign up separately for all three! The other options include: Flameworked Pendant and Fused Suncatcher.

Join us for a fun evening of creativity and flavor with a one-of-a-kind cocktail and glass making experience at Pittsburgh Glass Center.

This immersive experience goes beyond your average mixology class. It’s perfect for cocktail lovers, mocktail enthusiasts, or anyone looking to elevate their happy hour with hands-on artistry.    

Your experience includes: 

• A complimentary blown glass from PGC’s own Penn/Fairmount line of glassware line — yours to sip from and take home.  

• A guided cocktail making lesson led by Banter Brother Mobile Bartending, where you’ll learn to make one of three delicious cocktail or mocktail options.  

• A 20-minute Make-It-Now swizzle stick session in the flame shop, where you’ll design and craft your own custom glass stirrer to pair perfectly with your signature drink. 

• Soak in the lively ambiance with tasty light snacks and captivating live glassblowing demonstrations happening all night long.

Whether you’re flying solo or coming with friends, this is more than just a class. It’s an experience that blends artistry, hands-on fun, and great taste. Cheers to that!  

If you register for a later glassmaking slot, we suggest arriving early to enjoy all this event has to offer.

Make-It-Now experiences offer a quick hands-on introduction to the magic of glassmaking. In the flame shop, you’ll work one-on-one with a skilled local artist at a 3,000° tabletop torch. In about 20 minutes or less, you’ll work together to heat, shape, color, and craft your glass item. Perfect for beginners, these short experiences give a taste of the excitement, skill, and artistry that goes into working with glass in a supportive, guided setting.

Ages 21+

Guests under 21 not permitted.

Due to the nature of hot glass, items cannot be taken home the same day they are created. All items made in the flame shop must go through an annealing process to slowly cool the glass. Items are available for pick-up after 5 days. Shipping can be arranged on site the day of your activity.

Cozy up with your date in the kiln shop for an evening of creativity, color, and connection. This special date night invites couples to collaborate on a single glass artwork, learning the beauty (and teamwork!) that goes into crafting glass by hand. It’s the ultimate compatibility test: can you fuse your ideas as seamlessly as your glass?

Together, you’ll design and assemble a one-of-a-kind fused glass charcuterie plate using glass glass granules (frit), and thin glass rods (stringers). Once it is finished and fired it will be perfect for serving your favorite snacks, crackers, and cheese.

After your hands-on studio time, kick back on the patio with a glass of wine or beer and some tasty bites, let the live music set the mood as you wander the gallery, and be wowed by glassblowing and flameworking demonstrations happening throughout the evening. If you register for a later glassmaking slot, we suggest arriving early to enjoy all this event has to offer.

Each couple makes 1 charcuterie plate together.

Make-It-Now experiences offer a quick, hands-on introduction to the colorful world of kilnformed glass. In the kiln shop, you’ll learn from a skilled local artist how to design and assemble your own glass creation using glass frit and stringers. In less than an hour, explore how layers of glass come together to form vibrant patterns and images of your own design. Perfect for beginners, these quick experiences let you discover the beauty of working with glass at your own pace and with no heat.

Ages 21+

Guests under 21 not permitted.

Due to the nature of hot glass, items cannot be taken home the same day they are created. All items made in the kiln shop must be heated and fused in the kiln, then cooled slowly. Items are available for pick-up after 5 days. Shipping can be arranged on site the day of your activity.

Turn up the heat for a one-of-a-kind date night in the hot shop.

In this quick and exciting experience, you and your partner will team up with a skilled artist to gather molten glass from our 2,100°F furnace and shape your own blown glass pumpkins, perfect for celebrating autumn together. Each person will make their own pumpkin to create a set of 2 pumpkins per couple. Perfect to share and admire for the season or all year long.

After your hands-on studio time, unwind with a glass of wine or beer and enjoy light bites. Let live music set the mood as you explore the gallery and take in glassblowing and flameworking demonstrations happening throughout the night. If you’re registered for a later glassmaking slot, we recommend arriving early to experience everything the evening has to offer.

Ages 21+

Guests under 21 not permitted.

Due to the nature of hot glass, items cannot be taken home the same day they are created. All items made in the hot shop must go through an annealing process to slowly cool the glass. Items are available for pick-up after 5 days. Shipping can be arranged on site the day of your activity.

Have a blast on this creative date night. In this quick and fun cold shop experience, you and your special someone will transform ordinary pieces of glass into a one-of-a-kind ornament set. Together, you’ll use stickers and tape to create patterns, motifs, or images.

With guidance from a skilled artist you’ll blast your designs to a frosted finish that catches and reflects the light beautifully. Create something seasonal, meaningful, geometric, or entirely your own, together. Make it, blast it, and take it home the very same night, ready to hang and enjoy!

Each couple makes 2 sandblasted ornaments for 1 perfect set.

After your hands-on studio time, kick back with a glass of wine or beer and some tasty bites. Let the live music set the mood as you wander the gallery, and be wowed by glassblowing and flameworking demonstrations happening throughout the evening. If you register for a later glassmaking time, we suggest arriving early to enjoy all this event has to offer.

Ages 21+. Guests under 21 not permitted.

Turn up the heat for a one-of-a-kind date night in the hot shop. In this quick and exciting experience, you and your partner will team up with a skilled artist to gather molten glass from our 2,100°F furnace and shape your own blown glass ornaments, sparkling keepsakes of the evening.

Each person will make their own ornament to create a set of 2 ornaments per couple. Perfect to share and admire for the season or all year long.

After your hands-on studio time, unwind with a glass of wine or beer and enjoy light bites. Let live music set the mood as you explore the gallery and take in glassblowing and flameworking demonstrations happening throughout the night.

If you’re registered for a later glassmaking slot, we recommend arriving early to experience everything the evening has to offer.

Due to the nature of hot glass, items cannot be taken home the same day they are created. All items made in the hot shop must go through an annealing process to slowly cool the glass. Items are available for pick-up after 5 days. Shipping can be arranged on site the day of your activity.

Ages 21+. Guests under 21 not permitted.