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Pittsburgh Glass Center



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Mini Mushrooms

$115
Calendar Next available session starts Jul 1, 2026 at 6 pm

Bring the forest indoors. In this introductory workshop, heat and shape glass rods with a 3,000°F torch to create whimsical mini mushrooms. Guided by a skilled instructor, learn torch basics and add color and details for pendants or tiny figurines perfect for plants or to display.

 

Ages 14+

 

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

Flameworked Bugs

$115
Calendar Next available session starts Jul 2, 2026 at 6 pm

PGC 131

Crawl into the world of molten glass. In this introductory workshop, learn the basics of using a 3,000°F torch to melt and sculpt glass rods into beetles, bugs, and creepy or cute creatures. Guided by a skilled instructor, you’ll add color, legs, spots, and personality. Turn your buggy creations into magnets or keep them as mini sculptures. Perfect for your home, fridge, or friend who loves tiny creatures.

Ages 14+

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

Make-It-Now: Pickle

$30
Calendar Next session starts Jul 3, 2026 at 6 pm
8 additional sessions through Jul 3, 2026
Fire up the torch, shape molten glass, and get dill-lighted by glass. In this quick and exciting flame shop experience, you’ll work closely with a skilled artist to gather and shape molten glass into a quirky pickle using a 3,000°F torch. Finish it with a glass loop to make it a gorgeous gherkin pendant or keep it as a tiny pickle sculpture.

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.

Ages 8+

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 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.

Engraved and Embossed Glasses

$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+

 

Sculpted Glass Mushrooms

$135
Calendar Next available session starts Jul 5, 2026 at 5 pm

Step into a whimsical world of molten magic. In this introductory workshop, you’ll gather glass from the 2,100°F furnace and add color. Then twist, pull, and sculpt it into playful glass mushrooms.

This workshop is an engaging, hands-on introductory experience in hot glass sculpting. Each participant will craft two unique mushrooms, perfect for display, gifting, or adding a magical glass touch to any plant or space.

 

Ages 14+

 

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

Foundations of Goblet Making

$1,050

with Anthony Toomey

Calendar Next session starts Jul 6, 2026 at 9 am

In this five-day class we will explore the foundations of goblet making in the Venetian style. We will start with the most fundamental ideas of cup making and steadily grow in complexity throughout the class. From a simple tumbler to larger ornamental goblets. We will focus on working and directing a team, understanding the importance and roles of gaffer/assistants, and the timing and process of assembling cups in an effective manner.

 

This class is best suited for individuals with some experience in glass that are interested in learning about goblet making in the Venetian style. Students should be able to gather effectively and understand the basics of glassblowing.

 

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 Anthony Toomey at anthonytoomeyglass.com

 

Full Course

Make It Move: Kinetic Flameworking

$1,050

with Kit Paulson

Calendar Next session starts Jul 6, 2026 at 9 am, runs for 1 week

In this five-day class we will delve into the world of moving parts. We’ll begin with introductory flameworking details including hot seals, cold seals, and how to turn. Then you can expect many different types of chain (the simplest moving part) leading into the construction of simple mechanisms to make glass move. Bridging, kiln shelf drawing, and gear construction will be addressed.

Bring your sketchbook, compass and straight edge and get ready to build.

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 Kit Paulson at kitpaulsonglass.com

Full Course
Sand & Psyche
Registration Unavailable

Sand & Psyche

$1,050

with Geoffrey Bowton

Sand & Psyche is a unique class designed for students to discover the therapeutic benefits of Pâte de verre, a technique that utilizes glass frits and powders. This five-day class welcomes participants of all experience levels and provides a supportive environment to learn and express oneself through glass.

This class begins with making your own Pâte de verre tools used for distributing the frits and powders, then learning methods for building complex layers inside a two-part plaster and silica refractory mold. You will engage in creating multiple color samples, which can later be used as magnets or displayed as decorative pieces. Then, follow a step-by-step process that guides you in translating your ideas into a figurative mask. This includes initial sketching on a paper mask, moving into wax sculpting, and culminating in the construction of a final glass project. There will be special tips and tricks shared during the casting process, helping you manage a successful project in the future.

Sand & Psyche offers a platform for you to delve into your subconscious, allowing you to confront internal conversations in a safe, artistic manner. By engaging in this creative practice, you have the opportunity to develop coping mechanisms, reduce stress levels, and foster a sense of empowerment and self-expression.

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 Geoffrey Bowton at www.geoffreybowton.com





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