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Pittsburgh Glass Center

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Casting

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Introduction to Casting

$540 MEMBER PRICE: $540
Calendar Next available session starts Jan 21, 2026 at 9:30 am, runs for 8 weeks
Combine sculpting and moldmaking with the heat of the kiln to create cast glass sculptures. Begin by learning the basics of kiln cast glass by creating small 3D objects then move on to making glass replicas of found objects. Explore silicones and other moldmaking materials and learn the lost wax casting process. Finally, you'll work with body-safe life-casting alginate and take a mold of your hand (or other body part) and turn it into glass. This class will cover model construction, refractory molds, glass preparation, firing, and resolving castings into finished works of art. No experience necessary.

Class does not meet on 3/4.

Ages 14+

Casting Open Projects

$280 MEMBER PRICE: $280
Calendar Next available session starts Apr 1, 2026 at 6:30 pm, runs for 4 weeks

Dive into the possibilities of sculptural glass in this open-projects class designed for those seeking the time, space, and technical support to bring their casting ideas to life. You’ll work with a variety of mold-making and forming strategies suited to your individual project goals, with guidance on everything from surface detail to structural design. Explore the freedom of lost-wax casting to translate your ideas into glass, capturing intricate textures, fine details, and complex shapes with precision.  

Scale and complexity of projects will be chosen with assistance from the instructor and will be based on the four-week class time allotted. Come with multiple ideas!

Prerequisite: Introduction to Casting or 24 hours equivalent casting experience with instructor approval required

Ages 14+

Cast On Castaway

$950 MEMBER PRICE: $950

with Jacci Delaney

Calendar Next available session starts Jul 20, 2026 at 9 am, runs for 1 week

This five-day introductory kilncasting class will be a tsunami of information and fun experimentation. If you have ever wanted to try glass casting, this is the class for you!

The first day we are going to make our positives with plasticine and fire them. The next day we will start wax working our models. Wax is great because you can make undercuts and just about any other shape. We will then learn the lost wax casting method, steam out the wax and fire the molds.

This class will require any clay or weird household tools that can be used for wax working, thinking outside the box, and willingness to get dirty playing with wax, clay, plaster, and silica.

Please bring three to five small items in any material that you would like to make a casting of, and we’ll see what we can do. The best part will be analyzing the objects you bring to class to see if and how we can cast them in glass. It takes an unusual approach to cast a teddy bear into glass and I bring that to my teaching style.

You will have the choice of free sculpting your models, using ready-made objects, or combining the two in order to execute conceptual ideas, and emphasize your creativity. Shellac can be your best friend when working with soft objects to cast. We will work with alginate and learn how to make rubber molds for multiples. We will also learn how to program the kilns, which can be intimidating but we will conquer it together.

Students are encouraged to use open studio time to work on projects.

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 Jacci Delaney at www.jaccidelaney.com

Deep Relief Dry Plaster Casting

$950 MEMBER PRICE: $950

with Sean Hennessey

Calendar Next available session starts Aug 3, 2026 at 9 am, runs for 1 week

Discover an easy, versatile, and economical way to create bas relief and deep relief kilnformed glass. Using found objects and fabricated forms, you’ll press originals into plaster powder to create backgrounds and foregrounds, then slump sheet glass into your molds. Working with Tekta Clear Bullseye glass and glass paints, you’ll learn glass cutting, moldmaking, and the kiln schedule for this technique. With minimal coldworking, you’ll use a wet tile saw and wet belt sander to finish your pieces.

This remarkable and nearly waste-free casting method offers endless possibilities for fine art, public art, and architectural applications.

This five-day class is suitable for beginners or experienced glass sculptors, and all skill levels.

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 Sean Hennessey at Sean-hennessey.com





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