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Pittsburgh Glass Center

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Coldworking

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Upcycled Bottles
Registration Unavailable

Upcycled Bottles

$95 MEMBER PRICE: $95

PGC 123 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+

Plate Glass Printmaking
Registration Unavailable

Plate Glass Printmaking

$95 MEMBER PRICE: $95

Discover the art of printmaking with glass. In this introductory workshop, you’ll use cold shop etching tools to engrave your own glass plate and create a unique design. Once your plate is complete, you’ll bring your artwork to life with ink, transferring your design onto paper.

At the end of the workshop, you’ll leave with both your engraved glass plate and your printed work, ready to display, gift, or admire.

Ages 14+

Plate Glass Printmaking

$95 MEMBER PRICE: $95
Calendar Next available session starts May 24, 2026 at 1:30 pm
PGC 146

Discover the art of printmaking with glass. In this introductory workshop, you’ll use cold shop etching tools to engrave your own glass plate and create a unique design. Once your plate is complete, you’ll bring your artwork to life with ink, transferring your design onto paper.

 

At the end of the workshop, you’ll leave with both your engraved glass plate and your printed work, ready to display, gift, or admire.

 

Ages 14+

 

Plate Glass Printmaking

$95 MEMBER PRICE: $95
Calendar Next available session starts Jun 9, 2026 at 6 pm

Discover the art of printmaking with glass. In this introductory workshop, you’ll use cold shop etching tools to engrave your own glass plate and create a unique design. Once your plate is complete, you’ll bring your artwork to life with ink, transferring your design onto paper.

 

At the end of the workshop, you’ll leave with both your engraved glass plate and your printed work, ready to display, gift, or admire.

 

Ages 14+

 

Break Through!

$1,050 MEMBER PRICE: $1,050

with Chris Ross

Calendar Next available session starts Jun 15, 2026 at 9 am, runs for 1 week

Explore how traditional coldworking can be utilized in non-traditional and modern applications. 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 chemically bond glass segments together. Create unique works of glass art with interesting surface textures and shapes.

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.  Leave with a foundational knowledge of coldworking techniques and understanding of the lamination process. Come away with new skills, fun projects, and inspiration for more complicated works.

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 Chris Ross at saburodesign.com

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

Engraved and Embossed Glasses

$95 MEMBER PRICE: $95
Calendar Next available session starts Jul 5, 2026 at 1:30 pm

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.

 

Ages 14+

 





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