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Pittsburgh Glass Center

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Hot Glass Blowout

$275
Calendar Next available session starts Sep 5, 2026 at 9:30 am
PGC 205

If you've ever wanted to try glassblowing, this is the workshop for you. This 5-hour workshop offers an introduction to the art of glassblowing. Designed for beginners, you will gain hands-on experience in the hot shop, and learn essential techniques for gathering, shaping, and manipulating molten glass straight from the 2,100°F furnace.

 

After learning to gather, you'll sculpt a paperweight and then progress to additional glassblowing techniques, enabling you to craft a variety of glass objects throughout the day.

 

Instructors provide step-by-step guidance to ensure a safe and productive learning experience.

 

Warning! Hot glass is immersive and captivating. Once you start working with it, you may not want to stop.

 

Note: Class includes a 30-minute lunch break. Lunch is not provided, but a refrigerator is available for student use.

 

 

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

Fast Track Flameworking: Fall Foraging

$155
Calendar Next available session starts Sep 5, 2026 at 10 am
PGC 164 Spend a day immersed in the colors and textures of the season in this full-day beginner flameworking workshop. Working with borosilicate glass and a 3,000°F tabletop torch, you’ll learn how to melt, shape, and sculpt solid forms inspired by autumn: leaves, acorns, and fall flowers. Explore autumnal abundance as you bring each piece to life with color and detail. Demonstrations throughout the day will guide you in shaping organic forms, adding texture, and exploring a range of techniques to build your seasonal collection.

Design your pieces as small sculptural objects or incorporate loops to transform select forms into wearable pendants. You will gain a strong foundation in studio safety, torch operation, and essential solid sculpting techniques, while enjoying an immersive day working with molten glass.

Note: Class includes a 30-minute lunch break. Lunch is not provided, but a refrigerator is available for student use.

Fusing and Slumping

$215
Calendar Next available session starts Sep 5, 2026 at 10 am

Ready to turn up the heat on your glass skills? Whether you’re brand new to flat glass or have taken a workshop or two, this in-depth 6-hour introductory workshop will help expand your technical know-how and creative techniques. You’ll learn glass tool fundamentals and glass cutting techniques while gaining an understanding of glass compatibility, fusing and slumping techniques, mold materials, firing schedules, and kiln theory. By the end of the day, you’ll have a set of functional glass items (plates, bowls, and platters) in the kiln and an appreciation for the alchemy of kilnformed glass.

 

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

 

 

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

Stained Glass After Dark: Explicit Suncatchers

$175
Calendar Next available session starts Sep 5, 2026 at 5 pm

PGC 232 Push the boundaries of traditional stained glass in this adults-only introductory workshop designed for those interested in bold, provocative imagery and themes. You will learn the fundamentals of stained glass like cutting, foiling, and soldering, while creating work that explores sensuality, the human form, and personal expression through a more daring lens.

Guided by a skilled instructor, you’ll work from provided templates that embrace playful, cheeky, or suggestive subject matter. Emphasis is placed on creative risk-taking, and a supportive, open-minded studio environment where participants are encouraged to explore imagery that might not fit within more traditional class settings.

This workshop is intended for adults (18+) welcomes all experience levels and celebrates creativity without judgment. Expect good vibes, great glass, and artwork that definitely won’t fit in grandma’s window.

Stained Glass Quilt

$250
Calendar Next session starts Sep 6, 2026 at 10 am

Quilting and stained glass both celebrate the beauty of assembling many small pieces into one beautiful design. In this introductory and extended workshop, you’ll explore the timeless connection between these two crafts by creating your own “quilted” stained glass panel inspired by traditional quilt block patterns.

 

Students will learn about classic quilt block designs, select a favorite from a curated collection of patterns, and then dive into the copper foil stained glass process, from cutting and foiling to soldering and finishing.

 

Whether you’re a beginner eager to learn or a returning student looking for a fresh challenge, this workshop offers a creative blend of color, pattern, and light. No prior experience with quilting or stained glass is needed.

 

 

Full Course

Make Your Own Goblet

$185
Calendar Next available session starts Sep 9, 2026 at 6:30 pm

PGC 123 Create your own distinctive glass goblet in this immersive two-day introductory workshop, combining both hot and cold glass techniques. In the first session, work in the hot shop under the guidance of skilled instructors to gather, color, and shape molten glass from the 2,100°F furnace, forming the foot and stem of your goblet.

 

In the second session, transition to the cold shop to etch and sandblast a pre-made top, adding personalized designs that make your vessel truly unique. Instructors will also guide you through cutting, gluing, and assembling your pieces to create a functional and striking final goblet.

 

This workshop is a great introductory experience in both hot and cold glass processes, resulting in a one-of-a-kind piece you’ll be proud to take home.

 

 

 

Twist It! Cut It! Bead It! A flameworked bead and stained glass cross-over class

$290
Calendar Next available session starts Sep 12, 2026 at 9:30 am

Experience the best of both worlds in this unique workshop combining beadmaking and stained glass. On day one, explore the colorful world of flameworked beads as you learn to shape molten glass on a 3,000°F torch creating several small beads. Guided by a skilled instructor, you will learn how to add dots, lines, texture, and give your beads personality. End your day exploring the whimsical world of stained glass. You’ll choose a pattern for your panel and pick your glass colors. Match your beads or go wild and have fun with contrasting colors.

On day two, you’ll be back in the stained glass studio to construct your stained glass panel. Guided by a skilled instructor you will learn the basics of cutting, grinding, and copper foiling your glass panels. Finish your work by adding your flameworked beads to your panel for texture, depth, and fun whimsical detailing. This workshop is great for all levels of beadmakers and stained glass students. No Experience required.

This two-day class runs on:

Saturday 9/12 9:30am-1:30pm

Sunday 9/13 10:00am-4:00pm

Fast Track Flameworking: Bar Accessories

$165
Calendar Next available session starts Sep 13, 2026 at 10 am

PGC 163 Mix up some fun with this full-day beginner flameworking workshop! Working with borosilicate glass and a 3,000°F tabletop torch, you’ll learn how to melt and sculpt solid glass rods into functional and fabulous drink accessories. Create a set of glass swizzle sticks, a coordinating bottle stopper, and some freezable glass cubes. Demonstrations throughout the day will guide you through shaping and design to create your perfect set for entertaining, gifting, or adding whimsy to your home bar.

You will gain a strong foundation in studio safety, torch operation, and essential solid sculpting techniques, while enjoying an immersive day working with molten glass.

Note: Class includes a 30-minute lunch break. Lunch is not provided, but a refrigerator is available for student use. This workshop includes one bottle stopper base.





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