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Pittsburgh Glass Center

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Make-It-Brunch: Fused Glass Coaster

$45 MEMBER PRICE: $45
Calendar Next available session starts Jun 27, 2026 at 10 am
3 additional sessions through Jun 27, 2026
Brunch just got a glow-up. Gather with friends for a morning of tasty brunch bites from our friends at Third Space Bakery, refreshing mimosas, and hands-on glassmaking. In this fun kiln experience, you’ll be guided by a skilled artist to use colorful glass granules (frit) and thin glass rods (stringers) to design your own glass coaster—a fun place to rest your beverage of choice and express yourself with glass. Once you design it, we’ll fire it, so all the pieces become one.

After your hands-on studio time, relax on the patio with brunch bites and a beverage, wander the gallery, and watch live glassblowing demonstrations throughout the morning. If you register for a later glassmaking slot, we suggest arriving early to enjoy all this event has to offer. Good food and a little molten magic—it’s the brunch plan you didn’t know you needed.

Ages 21+

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.

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-Brunch: Bottle Stopper

$60 MEMBER PRICE: $60
Calendar Next available session starts Jun 27, 2026 at 10 am
11 additional sessions through Jun 27, 2026
Brunch just got a glow-up. Gather with friends for a morning of tasty brunch bites from our friends at Third Space Bakery, refreshing mimosas, and hands-on glassmaking. 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, perfect for topping any bottle of choice.

After your hands-on studio time, relax on the patio with brunch bites and a beverage, wander the gallery, and watch live glassblowing demonstrations throughout the morning. If you register for a later glassmaking slot, we suggest arriving early to enjoy all this event has to offer.

Good food and a little molten magic—it’s the brunch plan you didn’t know you needed.

Ages 21+

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.

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.

Stained Glass Garden Gnome

$175 MEMBER PRICE: $175
Calendar Next available session starts Jun 27, 2026 at 1 pm

Bring some whimsy to your garden. In this introductory 4-hour workshop, you’ll create a charming gnome garden stake for your indoor pots or outdoor garden. Under the guidance of a skilled instructor, you’ll learn essential stained glass techniques including cutting glass, copper foiling, following a pattern, soldering, and assembling as you make a two-dimensional garden stake.

 

It’ll be gnome-tastic fun from start to finish, and you’ll leave with a whimsical piece ready to brighten your greenery.

 

Ages 14+

 

Stained Glass Mushroom

$115 MEMBER PRICE: $115
Calendar Next available session starts Jun 27, 2026 at 5:30 pm
PGC 164

Bring your garden to life with a vibrant stained glass mushroom. In this introductory workshop, you’ll explore the fundamentals of stained glass. Under the guidance of a skilled instructor, you’ll learn to cut, wrap, and solder glass from a pattern into a fun and funky mushroom that brightens potted plants or outdoor beds. Great for adding personality and sparkle to any space.

 

Ages 14+

 

Upcycled Bottles

$95 MEMBER PRICE: $95
Calendar Next available session starts Jun 28, 2026 at 1:30 pm
PGC 166

Give your empty bottles and jars a second life. In this introductory workshop, you’ll transform everyday glass into beautiful and functional pieces like drinking glasses, vases, candle holders, or unique decor.

 

Bring 2–4 clean bottles or jars, and a skilled instructor will guide you through cutting, grinding, polishing, sandblasting, and engraving to create your own custom designs.

 

To make the most of your creative time, please remove any paper labels before the workshop.

 

Get ready to upcycle, refresh, and reimagine your glass.

 

Ages 14+

 

Explore Coldworking!

$1,050 MEMBER PRICE: $1,050

with František Janák

Calendar Next session starts Jun 29, 2026 at 9 am, runs for 1 week

With 60 years of experience and practice in the field of coldworking, František hopes to pass on the vast knowledge that he has acquired. He is coming from Czechia where coldworking has earned a long and strong tradition. In this class you will learn a step-by-step process to make a small glass sculpture from a solid block of glass and decorative, rich cutting to make patterns on blown vessel blanks. Together we will build a strong foundation for professional craftsmanship. The class will cover multiple approaches to shaping, sculpting, engraving, grinding, and polishing glass.

You will also learn how to assemble components using Ultraviolet Epoxy and properly set up and use different machines like horizontal flatting mill, vertical lathes, diamond saws, and belt sanders. With each machine there are specific and different grinding, smoothing, and polishing tools, materials, and processes. These tools include original Czech-made diamond, stone, and resin wheels. You will also be provided with information on how to design a perfect professional cold shop, including the necessary equipment.

No previous coldworking experience is required, although intermediate coldworkers are very welcome and may learn more than they have ever expected.

All students are welcome! Intermediate and advanced students will also be able to learn new skills and hone their existing skills.

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.

Full Course

Fires of Creation: A Journey in Beads, Chains, and Fusion Spark Design

$1,050 MEMBER PRICE: $1,050

with Ghislaine Sabiti

Calendar Next available session starts Jun 29, 2026 at 9 am, runs for 1 week

This class introduces students to the fundamentals of flameworking with borosilicate glass chain fusing. Learn to create colorful, expressive glass beads by mastering torch safety, shaping, and surface decoration techniques. Explore the process of making strong, artistic glass chain links using methods such as the parallel rod technique and surface texturing. Perfect for beginners and intermediate flame workers, this class offers hands-on practice and creative exploration to build your skills and confidence in glass jewelry making.

Discover the vibrant world of glass art in this hands-on, multi-session class where creativity meets craftsmanship. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to build intermediate skills, this immersive course offers step-by-step guidance to create stunning glass jewelry from creative patterns, chain, and fusing.

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 Ghislaine Sabiti at www.ghislainesabiti.com

New Beginnings in Hot Glass

$1,050 MEMBER PRICE: $1,050

with Jon Sirockman

Calendar Next available session starts Jun 29, 2026 at 9 am, runs for 1 week

This is an introduction to glassblowing, no prior experience in the hot shop is needed! We will learn the basics of gathering glass independently of the instructors, moving through the studio, shaping, and reheating the glass to create glass sculptures and vessels that will be solely your own.

We will cover safety and proper use of studio equipment and tools, how to create solid shapes, and then move into breathing life into the glass, concentrating on simple drinking vessels, and the basics of shaping more advanced pieces. This five-day class will set the foundation for you to take more advanced classes in the future.

This class is for beginners who have no experience in the hot shop. If you have had some or limited experience, that is alright. We will be using teambuilding and skill drills to establish a solid foundation in glass.

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 Jon Sirockman at https://www.instagram.com/sirockman_glass/?hl=en





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