Explore the exciting technique of networking. This 8-week class teaches a specialized technique for building complex forms by bending and welding small-diameter glass rods together. Using a hand torch, you can bend the glass rods precisely to a pattern to create 2D drawings in glass or complex 3D forms. Demonstrations will also include the use of color, stringer pulling, and some basic moving parts, such as hinges. The class will include one-on-one troubleshooting to assist with the planning, pattern making, and building stages of your sculptural forms.

Class tuition includes 2 hours of open-studio time to be used during the 8-week course period. Open Studio is held on Monday Nights 5:00pm - 9:00pm.

Prerequisite: Flame 1: Introduction to Flameworking, or equivalent 24 hours experience with instructor permission required.

Ages 14+

Learn how to combine clear and colorful glass into a helical wonder that can be used to make a perfect sphere. To create cane, you will focus on technique and color design as you heat up a ball of glass and draw it down into a twisted rod. Then, learn various artistic applications for the cane you create as you hone your marble skills on the torch.

Class tuition includes 2 hours of open-studio time to be used during the 8-week course period.

Learn the art of glass beadmaking and make an array of colorful beads. Over the course of 8 weeks, you’ll learn the basic skills of heating colorful rods of glass with a torch and how to use gravity and tools to form and mold them into unique beautiful beads. Once you’ve practiced creating forms, learn how to add decorative color and designs with dots, frit, and trails to create intricate designs. This class is suitable for all levels. Experienced beadmakers will focus on more advanced decorative techniques.

Class tuition includes 2 hours of open-studio time to be used during the 8-week course period. Open Studio is held on Monday Nights 5:00pm - 9:00pm.

Ages 14+

Join us for a fun evening of creativity and flavor with a one-of-a-kind cocktail and glass making experience at Pittsburgh Glass Center.

This immersive experience goes beyond your average mixology class. It’s perfect for cocktail lovers, mocktail enthusiasts, or anyone looking to elevate their happy hour with hands-on artistry.    

Your experience includes: 

• A complimentary blown glass from PGC’s own Penn/Fairmount line of glassware line — yours to sip from and take home.  

• A guided cocktail making lesson led by Banter Brother Mobile Bartending, where you’ll learn to make one of three delicious cocktail or mocktail options.  

• A 20-minute Make-It-Now swizzle stick session in the flame shop, where you’ll design and craft your own custom glass stirrer to pair perfectly with your signature drink. 

• Soak in the lively ambiance with tasty light snacks and captivating live glassblowing demonstrations happening all night long.

Whether you’re flying solo or coming with friends, this is more than just a class. It’s an experience that blends artistry, hands-on fun, and great taste. Cheers to that!  

If you register for a later glassmaking slot, we suggest arriving early to enjoy all this event has to offer.

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 21+

Guests under 21 not permitted.

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.

PGC 1 Flameworking is the art of melting, manipulating, sculpting, and blowing glass over a tabletop torch. This introductory 8-week class will cover safety, torch operation, and a variety of solid sculpting practices using borosilicate glass rods. Weekly demonstrations will teach new tips, tools, and the color applications needed to melt glass and create unique works of art. You can expect to learn how to sculpt pendants, marbles, animals, leaves, flowers, and small sculptures. The instructor will also provide one-on-one troubleshooting. No experience necessary..

Class tuition includes 2 hours of open-studio time to be used during the 8-week course period. This will help you become familiar with the studio and learn the process of studio rental beyond class hours. Open Studio is held on Monday Nights 5:00pm - 9:00pm.

Ages 14+

Go beyond the basics and explore techniques for creating wearable works of glass art. This intermediate-level class focuses on making small-scale jewelry using borosilicate glass and a hand torch. Expand your flameworking skills through solid sculpting, simple cane making, and introductory coldworking techniques. Over the course of 8 weeks, explore a range of jewelry forms including pendants, cabochons, rings, and chain links. Learn techniques for forming loops, incorporating color, and setting glass with metal findings and adhesives. The course includes hands-on practice with mandrels, covers kiln use and safe studio procedures.

Whether you’re looking to deepen your flameworking practice or explore a new direction in wearable art, this course will help you bring your glasswork into a refined and personal form.

Class tuition includes 2 hours of open-studio time to be used during the 8-week course period. Open Studio is held on Monday Nights 5:00pm - 9:00pm.

Prerequisite: Flame 1: Introduction to Flameworking, or equivalent 24 hours experience with instructor permission required.

Ages 14+

Not sure how to tackle that idea that you have in your sketchbook? Have you always wanted to request a demonstration that was outside of the scope of class? If you are not quite ready for independent rental time, or maybe you just enjoy knowing that you can work one-on-one with an instructor as you pursue your own independent ideas, Open Projects is the perfect class for you. Instructors are available to work one-on-one and provide personalized demonstrations and troubleshooting to get you, your project, or your new product moving forward!

Prerequisite: Flame 2 or 72 hours equivalent experience or instructor permission required.

If you are intrigued by borosilicate glass tubing, vessels, or scientific glassware, then Tubing 101 is the right place for you. This class will expand your flameworking skills as you begin to understand how heat, breath, timing, and gravity are used to create shape in glass tubing. Technical exercises will cover both the use of the bench and hand torches, as you are challenged with the tasks of opening and closing glass tubes, sealing pieces of tubing together, blowing bubbles, and creating hollow forms in glass. The class will culminate with the creation of small vessel forms.

Class tuition includes 2 hours of open-studio time to be used during the 8-week course period. Open Studio is held on Monday Nights 5:00pm - 9:00pm.

Prerequisite: Flame 1: Introduction to Flameworking, or equivalent 24 hours experience with instructor permission required.

Additional Class Materials Fee: This course requires a blow hose assembly kit. If students need to purchase: Kits are available for purchase on site the first day of class for $40.

Ages 14+