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Pittsburgh Glass Center

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8-Week

in Class Length

Neon: Next Steps

$495

with Percy Echols

Calendar Next available session starts Jan 22, 2026 at 1 pm, runs for 8 weeks
Take your neon skills to the next level in this follow-up to Neon 101. This hands-on class is designed to refine your technique, improve control, and develop your neon art through troubleshooting. You'll build confidence by practicing and improvising with fundamental bends including L-bends, U-bends, drops, and rises while learning how to adjust and correct mistakes along the way.

Beyond bending, this course emphasizes pattern accuracy and assembly, guiding you through the process of completing a fully functional neon piece. You'll gain experience with essential hardware and mounting strategies, ensuring your work is ready for illumination. To bring your creations to life, up to two completed signs will be filled with gas at no additional charge.

Continue honing your craft, troubleshoot with confidence, and illuminate your creativity!

Class tuition includes 2 hours of open-studio time to be used during the 8-week course period. This will help you become familiar with the studio and learn the process of studio rental beyond class hours.

Prerequisite: Neon 101 or 24 hours similar class experience with instructor permission is required.

Additional Class Materials Fee: A blow hose assembly kit is required. Kits are available for purchase on-site on the first day of class for $40.

Class does not meet on 3/5.

Ages 16+

Hot Glass 4: Open Projects

$680
Calendar Next available session starts Jan 22, 2026 at 6:30 pm, runs for 8 weeks
In this class, choose to either watch weekly technique-driven demonstrations or work on independent projects with the guidance of the instructor. Come with projects in mind that interest you as a developing glass artist or focus on advanced techniques demonstrated. Instructors will offer guidance, support, and help troubleshoot ideas as you continue to explore new ways to work with glass.

Class tuition includes 2 hours of studio rental time to be used during the 8-week course period. Open Studio is held on Monday Nights 5:00pm - 9:00pm.

Prerequisite: Hot Glass 3 or equivalent 72 hours experience with instructor permission required.

Class does not meet on 3/5.

Ages 14+

Introduction to Coldworking

$330
Calendar Next available session starts Jan 22, 2026 at 6:30 pm, runs for 8 weeks
Learn how to operate all of the equipment to cut, grind, drill, engrave, sandblast, and polish glass in this entirely cold process class. Learn techniques to strategize the best optical placement of cuts and gain experience using special adhesives to chemically bond glass segments together. Create unique works of glass art with interesting surface textures and shapes. Leave with a foundational knowledge of coldworking techniques and understanding of the lamination process. No experience necessary.

Class tuition includes 4 hours of open-studio time to be used during the 8-week course period. Open Studio is held on Mondays from 5:00pm - 9:00pm.

Class does not meet on 3/5.

Ages 14+

Torch to Treasure: Intermediate Glass Jewelry Making

$475
Calendar Next available session starts Jan 22, 2026 at 6:30 pm, runs for 8 weeks
Go beyond the basics and explore techniques for creating wearable works of glass art. This intermediate-level class focuses on making small-scale jewelry using borosilicate glass and a hand torch. Expand your flameworking skills through solid sculpting, simple cane making, and introductory coldworking techniques. Over the course of 8 weeks, explore a range of jewelry forms including pendants, cabochons, rings, and chain links. Learn techniques for forming loops, incorporating color, and setting glass with metal findings and adhesives. The course includes hands-on practice with mandrels, covers kiln use and safe studio procedures.

Whether you’re looking to deepen your flameworking practice or explore a new direction in wearable art, this course will help you bring your glasswork into a refined and personal form.

Class tuition includes 2 hours of open-studio time to be used during the 8-week course period. Open Studio is held on Monday Nights 5:00pm - 9:00pm.

Prerequisite: Flame 1: Introduction to Flameworking, or equivalent 24 hours experience with instructor permission required.

Class does not meet 3/5

Ages 14+

Flame 1: Introduction to Flameworking

$475
Calendar Next session starts Jan 23, 2026 at 9:30 am, runs for 8 weeks
Learn flame shop essentials and a variety of creative techniques while working with borosilicate (hard) glass. Begin with a solid rod of glass and melt it into a molten ball that can be manipulated into little treasures, such as pendants, marbles, chains, and sculptures. Over the course of 8 weeks, learn color application, hand control, and annealing. The instructor will also provide one-on-one troubleshooting. No experience necessary.

Class tuition includes 2 hours of open-studio time to be used during the 8-week course period. This will help you become familiar with the studio and learn the process of studio rental beyond class hours. Open Studio is held on Monday Nights 5:00pm - 9:00pm.

Class does not meet on 3/6.

Ages 14+

Hot Glass 2

$680
Calendar Next available session starts Jan 23, 2026 at 9:30 am, runs for 8 weeks
Enroll in Hot 2, build on your existing skill set and expand your creative potential. Refine and diverge from the standard cup and bowl shape in the first few weeks before moving on to more complex forms. Explore basic color application methods and learn how to troubleshoot common problems. It is recommended that all students take this class a second time in order to continue to develop and refine basic skills before moving on to advanced hot glass classes.

Class tuition includes 2 hours of rental time per student to be used during the 8-week course period. Open Studio is held on Monday Nights 5:00pm - 9:00pm.

Prerequisite: Hot 1 or 24 hours of hot shop experience with instructor permission is required.

Class does not meet on 3/6.

Ages 14+

Lightning in Any Bottle

$540

with Percy Echols

Calendar Next session starts Jan 23, 2026 at 9:30 am, runs for 8 weeks
Let's light it up! In this class, you'll explore stacking readymade glass and using kiln-fired enamel as a solder to create your own plasma light sculpture. If you are new to glass, create your sculpture with found glass vessels like vases, bottles, cups, and bowls. If you have experience in glass making, bring your own handmade cups or vessels and explore turning them into plasma sculptures. This class will utilize the equipment in the cold shop to cut, drill, and grind your ready-made glass; harness the power of the kilns to fire your work; and use the plasma cart to fill the vessels with gas. No experience needed.

Please bring 4 - 6 sets of glasses or vessels to work with. This class is designed for 2 projects to be filled with plasma.

Class does not meet on 3/6.

Ages 14+

Hot Glass 1

$680
Calendar Next session starts Jan 23, 2026 at 1 pm, runs for 8 weeks
Learn to blow glass now.

In this introductory class, learn to gather clear molten glass from the furnace and shape it into various forms, from paperweights to simple blown shapes, such as cups and bowls.

Instruction focuses on a team approach to glassblowing, with an emphasis on safety, proper tool use, basic techniques, and materials. Youll never drink from a glass again without appreciating the energy and detail that went into making it. No experience is required.

You may also wish to take this class a second time in order to continue to develop and refine basic skills before moving on to Hot Glass 2. Each time you take it, your skill level, confidence, and passion for glass will grow.

Class tuition includes 2 hours of open-studio time to be used during the 8-week course period. Open Studio is held on Monday Nights 5:00pm - 9:00pm.

Class does not meet on 3/6.

Ages 14+





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