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Pittsburgh Glass Center

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Gather and Brew: Bottle Stopper

$60 MEMBER PRICE: $60
Calendar Next available session starts Apr 17, 2026 at 8:20 pm
PGC 405 Join us for an evening of hot glass making and cold beer drinking with Two Frays Brewery.

Keep your beer fresh and the molten glass flowing. In this quick and exciting flame shop experience, you’ll work closely with a skilled artist to gather and shape molten glass into a custom bottle stopper using a 3,000°F torch. Use your bottle stopper with any beverage at any time to keep it fresh.

After your hands-on studio time, kick back and talk with the brewer, enjoy the beers, relax on the patio with some snacks, wander the gallery, and watch live glassblowing demonstrations throughout the evening. If you register for a later glassmaking slot, we suggest arriving early to enjoy all this event has to offer.

Cheers to a night of craft, flavor, and fun.

Don’t put a cork in it yet. Register here to make a blown glass cup in the hot shop and register here to make sandblasted drinkware in the cold shop.rk in it yet. Register here to make a blown glass cup in the hot shop and register here to make sandblasted drinkware in the cold shop. 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.

Gather and Brew: Sandblasted Drinkware

$40 MEMBER PRICE: $40
Calendar Next available session starts Apr 17, 2026 at 8:30 pm
PGC 335 Join us for a night of craft beer and glassmaking with our friends from Two Frays Brewery. Raise a glass and have a blast. In this quick and fun cold shop experience, you’ll turn an ordinary drinking glass into a one-of-a-kind frosted and functional work of art. Choose from a variety of drinkware, use stickers and tape to design your own pattern and with the help of a skilled artist, sandblast your piece to a frosted finish, perfect for showcasing your favorite beer or beverage of choice.

No heating, cooling, or waiting required. Design it, blast it, and take it home the same night!

After your hands-on studio time, kick back and talk with the brewer, enjoy the beers, relax on the patio with some snacks, wander the gallery, and watch live glassblowing demonstrations throughout the evening.

Cheers to a night of craft, flavor, and fun!

Don’t put a cork in it yet. Register here to make a handmade blown glass cup in the hot shop and register here to make a bottle stopper in the flame shop. Make-It-Now experiences offer a quick hands-on introduction to the art of coldworking. In the cold shop, you’ll work with a skilled local artist using our specialized equipment to personalize your own glass piece through either sandblasting or engraving. In less than an hour, you’ll experience the cool side of glassmaking. Perfect for beginners, this guided session is a fun and creative experience with no heating or cooling required.

This is one experience where you can make it and take-it home on the same day.

Ages 21+

Guests under 21 not permitted.

Gather and Brew: Bottle Stopper

$60 MEMBER PRICE: $60
Calendar Next available session starts Apr 17, 2026 at 8:40 pm
PGC 406 Join us for an evening of hot glass making and cold beer drinking with Two Frays Brewery.

Keep your beer fresh and the molten glass flowing. In this quick and exciting flame shop experience, you’ll work closely with a skilled artist to gather and shape molten glass into a custom bottle stopper using a 3,000°F torch. Use your bottle stopper with any beverage at any time to keep it fresh.

After your hands-on studio time, kick back and talk with the brewer, enjoy the beers, relax on the patio with some snacks, wander the gallery, and watch live glassblowing demonstrations throughout the evening. If you register for a later glassmaking slot, we suggest arriving early to enjoy all this event has to offer.

Cheers to a night of craft, flavor, and fun.

Don’t put a cork in it yet. Register here to make a blown glass cup in the hot shop and register here to make sandblasted drinkware in the cold shop.rk in it yet. Register here to make a blown glass cup in the hot shop and register here to make sandblasted drinkware in the cold shop. 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.

Gather and Brew: Sandblasted Drinkware

$40 MEMBER PRICE: $40
Calendar Next available session starts Apr 17, 2026 at 9 pm
PGC 337 Join us for a night of craft beer and glassmaking with our friends from Two Frays Brewery. Raise a glass and have a blast. In this quick and fun cold shop experience, you’ll turn an ordinary drinking glass into a one-of-a-kind frosted and functional work of art. Choose from a variety of drinkware, use stickers and tape to design your own pattern and with the help of a skilled artist, sandblast your piece to a frosted finish, perfect for showcasing your favorite beer or beverage of choice.

No heating, cooling, or waiting required. Design it, blast it, and take it home the same night!

After your hands-on studio time, kick back and talk with the brewer, enjoy the beers, relax on the patio with some snacks, wander the gallery, and watch live glassblowing demonstrations throughout the evening.

Cheers to a night of craft, flavor, and fun!

Don’t put a cork in it yet. Register here to make a handmade blown glass cup in the hot shop and register here to make a bottle stopper in the flame shop. Make-It-Now experiences offer a quick hands-on introduction to the art of coldworking. In the cold shop, you’ll work with a skilled local artist using our specialized equipment to personalize your own glass piece through either sandblasting or engraving. In less than an hour, you’ll experience the cool side of glassmaking. Perfect for beginners, this guided session is a fun and creative experience with no heating or cooling required.

This is one experience where you can make it and take-it home on the same day.

Ages 21+

Guests under 21 not permitted.

Make-It-Now: Fused Glass Suncatcher

$35 MEMBER PRICE: $35
Calendar Next available session starts May 1, 2026 at 6 pm
Make glass during our monthly Hot Jam!

Join us on the first Friday of each month for our Hot Jam and open house, with live glassblowing and flameworking demonstrations. Check out the gallery, explore the studios, shop for glass art, and now make your own glass!

Make-It-Now Fused Glass Suncatcher

Make a unique glass decoration. In this introductory experience, you'll combine colorful pieces of glass granules (frit) and thin colorful glass rods (stringers) to create a decorative glass suncatcher of your own design. Once you design it, we’ll fire it in a kiln with a hook for hanging.

Registration is suggested, but not required, for Fused Glass Suncatcher. Walk in seats are subject to availability.

Registration is not required for Hot Jam Open House.

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 5+

Adult supervision is required for any children under 14 years old.

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.

Make-It-Now: Fused Glass Suncatcher

$35 MEMBER PRICE: $35
Calendar Next available session starts May 1, 2026 at 7 pm
PGC 506 Make glass during our monthly Hot Jam!

Join us on the first Friday of each month for our Hot Jam and open house with live glassblowing and flameworking demonstrations. Check out the gallery, explore the studios, shop for glass art, and now make your own glass!

Make-It-Now Fused Glass Suncatcher

Make a unique glass decoration. In this introductory experience, you'll combine colorful pieces of glass granules (frit) and thin colorful glass rods (stringers) to create a decorative glass suncatcher of your own design. Once you design it, we’ll fire it in a kiln with a hook for hanging.

Registration is suggested, but not required, for Fused Glass Suncatcher. Walk in seats are subject to availability.

Registration is not required for Hot Jam Open House.

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 5+

Adult supervision is required for any children under 14 years old.

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.

Make-It-Now: Fused Glass Suncatcher

$35 MEMBER PRICE: $35
Calendar Next available session starts May 1, 2026 at 8 pm
PGC 507 Make glass during our monthly Hot Jam!

Join us on the first Friday of each month for our Hot Jam and open house with live glassblowing and flameworking demonstrations. Check out the gallery, explore the studios, shop for glass art, and now make your own glass!

Make-It-Now Fused Glass Suncatcher

Make a unique glass decoration. In this introductory experience, you'll combine colorful pieces of glass granules (frit) and thin colorful glass rods (stringers) to create a decorative glass suncatcher of your own design. Once you design it, we’ll fire it in a kiln with a hook for hanging.

Registration is suggested, but not required, for Fused Glass Suncatcher. Walk in seats are subject to availability.

Registration is not required for Hot Jam Open House.

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 5+

Adult supervision is required for any children under 14 years old.

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.

Flame to Form: Beadmaking Foundations & Beyond

$950 MEMBER PRICE: $950

with Alessia Fuga

Calendar Next available session starts May 25, 2026 at 9 am, runs for 1 week

Ready to turn fire and glass into wearable art?

Join us for an immersive beadmaking experience where you'll learn to shape, decorate, and design stunning glass beads.

No experience? No problem.

Already started? We’ll help you grow.

In this five-day class, you will begin by learning how to set up and work confidently but safely in a studio environment. You’ll gain a solid understanding of ventilation, personal protection, proper heat management, and the tools of the trade — mandrels, marvers, graphite paddles, bead release,etc.. Special attention is given to the nature of soft glass, COE compatibility, and proper cooling.

Through guided demonstrations, you will explore the fundamental techniques of bead shaping — from round basics to more sculptural forms like ovals, barrels, hearts, bicones and figurative beads. You'll also learn essential surface decoration methods including stringer application, dot work, encasing, and simple layering to create depth and complexity in your designs.

Along the way, the class introduces the principles of color theory and glass reactions and the use of silver foil. You’ll also develop basic troubleshooting skills to overcome common issues such as cracking, bubbling, and devitrification.

The class includes an introduction to hollow beads for beginners— and blown beads for advanced beginners. Both techniques challenge your control of heat, shape, and wall thickness.

During the class or in your open studio time, whether you’re building a consistent set, experimenting with personal motifs, or developing a signature style, this course supports your growth as both a maker and designer. You’ll leave with a collection of finished beads, the foundational skills for continued independent practice, and the inspiration to keep the torch burning.

This is a perfect class for beginners or for those who feel they need to review their basic skills in order to go further in their exploration. But you have to remember that learning how to work with hot glass is a personal and unique path. Take your time and don't be afraid to make mistakes.

Evening Open Studio

Studios are open until 9:30PM for students to practice. Depending on the class, process, and techniques, this time might be highly suggested by instructors for students to use. In other classes, this time might be considered optional.

For more information, please review Summer Intensives.

Learn more about Alessia Fuga at www.alessiafuga.com





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