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Pittsburgh Glass Center



Fusing

in Type of Glassmaking

Fusing for Stained Glass

$265 MEMBER PRICE: $265
Calendar Next available session starts Jan 10, 2026 at 10 am, runs for 1 week
1 additional session on Mar 28, 2026

Bring a whole new dimension to your stained glass projects by learning to create your very own art glass. In this 2-day introductory workshop, you’ll explore the interplay and possibilities between kilnforming and stained glass. On day one, you’ll dive into the colorful world of kilnforming as you learn glass cutting and fusing fundamentals. Experiment with accessory glass like frit and stringers to design and build your own custom art glass sheet.

On day two, discover how to incorporate your one-of-a-kind fused creations into a stained glass suncatcher. You’ll learn how to cut, foil, and solder your fused glass into a finished piece that glows with your personal touch.

Perfect for beginners and experienced glass artists alike. This workshop is a creative fusion of color, technique, and imagination.

This workshop meets 10am-2pm on Saturday, and 1pm-5pm on Sunday.

Ages 14+

Kiln 2: Imagery and Pattern

$540 MEMBER PRICE: $540
Calendar Next available session starts Jan 20, 2026 at 6:30 pm, runs for 8 weeks

In this intermediate fusing class, you’ll refine your glass-cutting skills while diving deeper into color, pattern, and material behavior. Build confidence and precision as you practice advanced cutting techniques, including harnessing the use of the  ¼" strip. Discover fresh ways to make your work stand out by creating custom art glass with powders and stringers. You’ll also design and fabricate a pixel-pattern bar, repeating and manipulating your motif while investigating the scientific properties that drive how glass moves, melts, and fuses.  

Prerequisite:  Kiln 1 or 24 hours of stained glass experience with instructor experience required.  

Class does not meet on 3/3

Ages 14+

Introduction to Casting

$540 MEMBER PRICE: $540
Calendar Next available session starts Jan 21, 2026 at 9:30 am, runs for 8 weeks
Combine sculpting and moldmaking with the heat of the kiln to create cast glass sculptures. Begin by learning the basics of kiln cast glass by creating small 3D objects then move on to making glass replicas of found objects. Explore silicones and other moldmaking materials and learn the lost wax casting process. Finally, you'll work with body-safe life-casting alginate and take a mold of your hand (or other body part) and turn it into glass. This class will cover model construction, refractory molds, glass preparation, firing, and resolving castings into finished works of art. No experience necessary.

Class does not meet on 3/4.

Ages 14+

Kiln 1: Fusing and Casting

$540 MEMBER PRICE: $540
Calendar Next available session starts Jan 22, 2026 at 9:30 am, runs for 8 weeks
Are you curious about the kiln Shop? In Kiln 1, you will gain a broad understanding of the vast possibilities of kilnformed glass exploring both fusing and casting techniques. You will learn how to cut sheet glass and work with a variety of other materials to melt and shape your designs creating an array of functional and decorative pieces. Then get a bit more dimensional with an introduction to cast glass. Using a found object, you will learn how to reproduce the object in glass. You will also gain an understanding of kiln programming and the properties of glass. No experience is necessary.

Class does not meet on 3/5.

Ages 14+

Design Your Own Art Glass

$540 MEMBER PRICE: $540
Calendar Next available session starts Jan 25, 2026 at 9:30 am, runs for 8 weeks
Express yourself and design your own sheets of glass. First, you will learn several techniques for working with glass powder, frit, and stringer to design your own glass. Next, you will use your custom made glass in fused glass projects to create beautiful objects based on your personal style. No experience needed.

Class does not meet on 3/1.

Ages 14+

TEENS ONLY! Fused Glass Name Plate

$65 MEMBER PRICE: $65
Calendar Next available session starts Mar 7, 2026 at 10 am
Make your mark in glass! In this introductory workshop, design a custom fused glass plaque featuring your name. With guidance from a skilled instructor, you’ll learn how to cut and assemble colorful sheet glass into a mosaic-style panel. Once you design it, we’ll fire it in the kiln so all the pieces become one, a fun one-of-a-kind way to show off your personal style.

TEENS ONLY workshops are a great introduction to the world of glassmaking, just for teens. Teens will step into the PGC studios and explore the heat, color, and creativity of working with glass in the flame shop, hot shop, kiln shop, or cold shop– alongside other teens. Teens can come solo and make new friends who share an interest in glassmaking, or sign up with a friend to share in the experience.

Looking for a more in-depth experience? Check out our afterschool SiO₂ classes, full-day MOLTN workshops, or summer boot camp for even more hands-on glassmaking fun.

PGC is committed to facilitating access for all young people. We offer full- and half-tuition scholarships for middle school and high school students based on application strength. No previous glass or art experience is required. Our only prerequisites are enthusiasm, curiosity, and eagerness to learn.

APPLY NOW for a youth scholarship at this link.

Dichroic Jewelry

$280 MEMBER PRICE: $280

with Drue Miller

Calendar Next available session starts Mar 31, 2026 at 6:30 pm, runs for 4 weeks
Discover a rainbow of options with color-shifting dichroic glass! Learn how to make sparkling fused glass pendants and earrings using a variety of techniques. Well also incorporate accessory glass and decals, explore coldworking techniques, and attach findings that turn your one-of-a-kind creations into wearable works of art. No experience is necessary.

Ages 14+

Fusing Open Projects

$280 MEMBER PRICE: $280
Calendar Next available session starts Apr 2, 2026 at 6:30 pm, runs for 4 weeks
After learning the basics of fusing and slumping in the introductory courses, we invite you to continue to develop your skills in Fusing Open Projects. This is a course for those who want to challenge themselves to explore fusing at their own skill level under the guidance of an instructor. Bring your ideas, creativity, ambition, and sketchbook to discuss projects with your instructor who will guide you through the creation.

Prerequisite: Kiln 1 or 24 hours of fusing experience with instructor permission is required.

Ages 14+





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