This beginner glassblowing class will introduce you to the hot shop. We will start by gathering glass out of the furnace, then introduce blowing bubbles and learn to apply hand and tool techniques. By the end of the week, you’ll be working with a partner to create functional vessels you can use. Following this class, you should feel comfortable in any hot shop with an understanding of the tools, processes, teamwork, and communication involved in making blown glass work.

All levels are welcome.

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 Beyvan Schantz at www.beyvanschantz.com

and Lyla Nelson at www.lylanelson.net

This class invites illustrators, painters, designers, photographers, and anyone interested in the graphic image to experiment with the possibilities of pictorial representation on glass. You will explore kiln-based processes such as fusing, slumping, layering, draping, and incorporating images through both digital and analog approaches.

The five-day class emphasizes developing a personal visual language while investigating the interplay of transparency, image, texture, and form. A collaborative spirit will be encouraged, with projects that capture, distort, and reinterpret landscapes, memories, and visual narratives.

Students will produce a series of small experimental works as technical studies and one finished piece integrating glass enameling, photo transfer, and layering. By the end of the class, you will be able to independently operate a glass kiln and sandblaster, and confidently translate your imagery onto glass.

This class welcomes all skill levels. It can be an excellent option for people with no glass experience and also for glassblowers who want to incorporate imagery into their blown shapes. All are encouraged to take advantage of open studio hours.

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 Josefina Muñoz Torres at www.josefinamunoz.net

In this cross-disciplinary class, you will use the torch to create objects out of glass that will then be engraved by handheld diamond tools. Inspired by the origins of engraving, we will investigate how to recreate some of the first known works carved by humanity. As we make our own versions of these objects, we will experiment with how to combine these techniques and processes into our individual artistic practices.

Students will start by developing a basic knowledge of torchworking in the Flame Shop to create their own cabochon and cylinder seal shapes. Once these objects are made, we will take them to the cold shop, where you will learn the art of engraving with handheld diamond drills. We will also introduce other various coldworking techniques such as lapidary grinding and sandblasting to shape and assemble our projects.

Through the study of ancient glassmaking and engraving, you will explore different ways to adapt to the changes in materials and technologies from history to the present. As a team of researchers, we will learn to remake these objects in a contemporary, but still true-to-process method.

All levels are welcome from beginners to intermediate students.

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 Ryan Tanner at https://www.ryeglass.com/about

Celebrate Pride at Pittsburgh Glass Center with an evening of colorful activities and free hot glass demonstrations.

Get creative with color! In this fun kiln shop experience, you’ll be guided by a skilled artist to use colorful glass granules (frit) and thin glass rods (stringers) to design your own vibrant glass suncatcher—a fun decorative way to capture sunlight and express yourself with glass. Once you design it, we’ll fire it, so all the pieces become one.

Pay What Makes You Happy: During checkout, choose a price that feels right for you. Higher contributions directly support reduced-cost access for others. Proceeds from this activity will benefit our LGBTQIA+ scholarship fund. 

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 child 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.

 

Have a blast in this quick and fun cold shop experience. You’ll turn an ordinary piece of glass into a beautiful one-of-a-kind work of art. Use stickers and tape to design your own pattern, motif, or image, and with the help of a skilled artist, sandblast your piece to a frosted finish, to capture the light in style. Create a design that’s seasonal, meaningful, geometric, or totally your own.

Make it, blast it, and take it home the very same night!

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.

Sandblasting Ages 5+

Adult supervision is required for any children under 14 years old

MOLTN is a dynamic and unique workshop created just for teens to explore the exciting world of glass art at Pittsburgh Glass Center. Working alongside professional glass artists, students will experience the heat, skill, and creativity that go into shaping molten glass across three studios: the Hot Shop, the Flame Shop, and the Kiln Shop.

In the Hot Shop, teens will gather and shape molten glass from a 2,100°F furnace. In the Flame Shop, they’ll use a 3,000°F torch to melt and sculpt solid glass rods. In the Kiln Shop, they’ll design and prepare glass pieces to be fused together in kilns reaching up to 1,700°F. Through this immersive experience, students will learn a range of glassmaking techniques, gain confidence working with heat and tools, and create their own one-of-a-kind glass artworks.

No experience necessary, just curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to get fired up about glass!

MOLTN is designed for students in grades 6–12.

Note: Class time includes a 30-minute break for lunch. Lunch is not provided, but we do have a refrigerator on site if needed.

 

PGC is committed to facilitating access for all young people. We offer full- and half-tuition scholarships for middle school and high school students based on application strength. No previous glass or art experience is required. Our only prerequisites are enthusiasm, curiosity, and eagerness to learn.

 

APPLY NOW for a youth scholarship at this link.

PGC 134

Dive into the magic of molten glass. In this introductory workshop, heat and shape molten glass into whimsical whale sculptures using a 3,000°F torch. Guided by a skilled instructor, learn torch basics, experiment with adding color and playful details to create one-of-a-kind creations. Add a glass loop to make it a pendant or keep them as trinkets. Perfect for adding whimsy to your home, fish tank, or sharing with a friend.

 

Ages 14+

 

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

Tweet yourself to something new. In this introductory workshop, heat glass rods using a 3,000°F torch and learn to shape into simple bird forms. Guided by a skilled instructor, learn torch basics and add color to make these one-of-a-kind creations. Add a glass loop to make it a pendant or keep them as cute sculptures perfect to wear, share, or show off.

 

Ages 14+

 

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