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Pittsburgh Glass Center



Class Length

Blown Glass Optic Ornaments

$135
Calendar Next available session starts Dec 22, 2026 at 6 pm
Give your handmade ornament a textured twist. In this introductory workshop, you will work with a skilled instructor to gather molten glass from the 2,100°F furnace, add color, and blow a bubble into the glass. Then, using a steel optic mold, you’ll create a beautifully patterned, raised texture that catches the light.

This workshop is a fun introduction to hot glassblowing. Each participant will make two textured ornaments, perfect for trimming the tree, gifting to someone special, or adding a little sparkle to your space all year long.

Glass Swizzle Sticks

$115
Calendar Next available session starts Dec 22, 2026 at 6 pm

Stir in style. In this introductory workshop, make elegant, colorful swizzle sticks for your drinks, houseplants, or garden décor using a 3,000°F torch. Guided by a skilled instructor, learn torch basics and explore decorative techniques to make a functional or decorative glass set. Fun to make, beautiful to use, and perfect to keep or gift.

 

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

Stained Glass Twinkle Lights

$115
Calendar Next available session starts Dec 22, 2026 at 6 pm
Brighten up the season with handmade glass. In this introductory workshop, you’ll explore the fundamentals of stained glass while creating a colorful set of festive light bulb decorations. Under the guidance of a skilled instructor, you’ll learn glass cutting, the copper foiling method, and soldering.

Using colorful sheet glass and traditional stained glass techniques, you'll assemble a series of two-dimensional stained glass bulbs that can be strung together as cheerful seasonal décor or used individually as ornaments and gift toppers. Each finished piece brings a playful pop of color and handmade sparkle to the holidays. Each participant will make up to 3 bulbs.

Hot Shop Winter Sampler

$135
Calendar Next available session starts Dec 23, 2026 at 6 pm

Double the fun, double the creativity. In this festive introductory workshop, you’ll make two distinct glass creations. You’ll gather glass from the 2,100°F furnace and add color. Then guided by a skilled instructor, you will create one festive blown glass ornament and one sculpted snowperson.

This workshop is a fun introductory experience to hot glass sculpting AND hot glassblowing. Each participant will make two unique seasonal creations, perfect for decorating or gifting.

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

Flame 1: Introduction to Flameworking

$475
Calendar Next session starts Jan 19, 2027 at 9:30 am

PGC 1 Flameworking is the art of melting, manipulating, sculpting, and blowing glass over a tabletop torch. This introductory 8-week class will cover safety, torch operation, and a variety of solid sculpting practices using borosilicate glass rods. Weekly demonstrations will teach new tips, tools, and the color applications needed to melt glass and create unique works of art. You can expect to learn how to sculpt pendants, marbles, animals, leaves, flowers, and small sculptures. 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.

Ages 14+

Kiln 1: Fusing and Casting

$540
Calendar Next session starts Jan 19, 2027 at 9:30 am, runs for 8 weeks

Are you curious about the kiln Shop? In Kiln 1, you will gain a broad understanding of the vast possibilities of kilnformed glass exploring both fusing and casting techniques. You will learn how to cut sheet glass and work with a variety of other materials to melt and shape your designs creating an array of functional and decorative pieces.

Then, get a bit more dimensional with an introduction to cast glass. Using a found object, you will learn how to reproduce the object in glass. You will also gain an understanding of kiln programming and the properties of glass. No experience is necessary.

 

Ages 14+

Full Course

Stained Glass 3: Intermediate Lead Came: Experimental Techniques

$610
Calendar Next available session starts Jan 19, 2027 at 9:30 am

Take your leaded glass skills further by exploring new materials, construction methods, and decorative techniques. In this eight-week course, students will experiment with different lead sizes and profiles, pattern-making approaches, building styles, and finishing techniques while developing greater confidence with the possibilities of leaded glass.

You’ll create two medium-sized panels during the course. The first will be an instructor-led project designed to introduce new techniques and approaches. For the second, you’ll develop your own custom design, with class discussion and instructor feedback focused on how to translate specific design elements using different materials and construction methods.

Throughout the course, we’ll explore overlays, mixed media, decorative elements, and other ways to push beyond traditional leading techniques. The emphasis is on experimentation and creative problem-solving, encouraging students to test ideas, take risks, and discover that there isn’t always a “wrong way” to work with leaded glass.

Ideal for students with previous leaded glass experience who are ready to experiment beyond the basics and develop their own approach to the mediumClass tuition includes 2 sessions of open-studio time to be used during the 8-week course and will be available for scheduling between weeks 5-7 of the class session.

Prerequisite: Stained Glass 1: Introduction to Copper Foil, and one of our Stained Glass 2 classes or 48 hours of similar class experience and instructor permission, is required.

Flame 1: Introduction to Flameworking

$475
Calendar Next available session starts Jan 19, 2027 at 6:30 pm

PGC 1 Flameworking is the art of melting, manipulating, sculpting, and blowing glass over a tabletop torch. This introductory 8-week class will cover safety, torch operation, and a variety of solid sculpting practices using borosilicate glass rods. Weekly demonstrations will teach new tips, tools, and the color applications needed to melt glass and create unique works of art. You can expect to learn how to sculpt pendants, marbles, animals, leaves, flowers, and small sculptures. 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.

Ages 14+





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