Your browser is not optimized for viewing this website.

More information »

Pittsburgh Glass Center

Filter by Category



Cold Shop

in Studio

Upcycled Bottles

$95
Calendar Next available session starts Sep 12, 2026 at 2 pm
PGC 249

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.

 

 

Engraved and Embossed Glasses

$95
Calendar Next available session starts Sep 20, 2026 at 11 am
PGC 160

You bring the creativity, we’ll supply the glass. In this introductory workshop, you’ll personalize your own beer mug, wine goblet, or drinking glass while gaining hands-on experience with professional cold shop equipment. Work with a skilled artist and explore sandblasting, carving, etching, polishing, and dremeling to make your glass totally yours.

 

 

Introduction to Coldworking

$330
Calendar Next available session starts Sep 22, 2026 at 6:30 pm
PGC 1

Learn how to operate all of the equipment to cut, grind, drill, engrave, sandblast, and polish glass in this entirely cold process class. Learn techniques to strategize the best optical placement of cuts and gain experience using special adhesives to bond glass segments together. Create unique works of glass art with interesting surface textures and shapes. Leave with a foundational knowledge of coldworking techniques and understanding of basic cold working processes. No experience necessary.

 

Class tuition includes 4 hours of open-studio time to be used during the 8-week course period. Open Studio is held on Mondays from 5:00pm - 9:00pm.

 

Class does not meet the week of October 11-17th, 2026.

 

Ages 14+

Engraved and Embossed Glasses

$95
Calendar Next available session starts Sep 25, 2026 at 6 pm
PGC 161

You bring the creativity, we’ll supply the glass. In this introductory workshop, you’ll personalize your own beer mug, wine goblet, or drinking glass while gaining hands-on experience with professional cold shop equipment. Work with a skilled artist and explore sandblasting, carving, etching, polishing, and dremeling to make your glass totally yours.

 

 

Introduction to Coldworking

$330
Calendar Next available session starts Sep 26, 2026 at 12:30 pm

Learn how to operate all of the equipment to cut, grind, drill, engrave, sandblast, and polish glass in this entirely cold process class. Learn techniques to strategize the best optical placement of cuts and gain experience using special adhesives to bond glass segments together. Create unique works of glass art with interesting surface textures and shapes. Leave with a foundational knowledge of coldworking techniques and understanding of basic cold working processes. No experience necessary.

 

Class tuition includes 4 hours of open-studio time to be used during the 8-week course period. Open Studio is held on Mondays from 5:00pm - 9:00pm.

 

Class does not meet the week of October 11-17th, 2026.

 

Ages 14+

Break Through! Archival Cuts

$450
Calendar Next available session starts Sep 27, 2026 at 12:30 pm

Take your coldworking to the next level in this new and exciting coldworking class. Explore how traditional coldworking can be utilized in non-traditional and modern applications. Collaborate with glass blowers in the hot shop to design colorful items then manipulate them to reveal layers of color with the lathe, sandblaster, or lap wheels. Combine found objects, cement, and glass. Then cut, laminate, and coldwork new and exciting shapes. Come away with new skills, fun projects, and inspiration for more complicated works.

 

Class tuition includes 6 hours of studio rental time to be used during the 8-week course period. Rental time is purposefully included with this 8-week course to give students independent studio time to practice the skills and will be required to be able to complete projects.

 

Class does not meet the week of October 11-17th, 2026.

 

Prerequisite: Introduction to Coldworking, or equivalent 24 hours of coldworking experience with instructor permission is required.

 

Ages 14+

Sandblasted Pumpkins

$95
Calendar Next available session starts Oct 10, 2026 at 10 am
PGC 221 Put your personal touch on handblown glass pumpkins. In this introductory workshop, you’ll start with two clear glass pumpkins hand crafted by our glass artists and use an industrial sandblaster to create your own designs, playful faces, names, patterns, or other details. With guidance from an experienced instructor, you’ll transform each piece into something uniquely your own.

At the end of the workshop, you’ll leave with both of your sandblasted pumpkins, ready to display or give as gifts. One pumpkin has an opening at the base, perfect for adding fairy lights (not included) to create a glowing seasonal luminary.

Sandblasted Pumpkins

$95
Calendar Next available session starts Oct 14, 2026 at 6 pm
PGC 222 Put your personal touch on handblown glass pumpkins. In this introductory workshop, you’ll start with two clear glass pumpkins hand crafted by our glass artists and use an industrial sandblaster to create your own designs, playful faces, names, patterns, or other details. With guidance from an experienced instructor, you’ll transform each piece into something uniquely your own.

At the end of the workshop, you’ll leave with both of your sandblasted pumpkins, ready to display or give as gifts. One pumpkin has an opening at the base, perfect for adding fairy lights (not included) to create a glowing seasonal luminary.





Forgot password?
Staff Log In