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Pittsburgh Glass Center



Glassblowing

in Type of Glassmaking

Incredibly Intricate Murrine

$950 MEMBER PRICE: $950

with Penelope (Rakov) Lee

Calendar Next available session starts May 18, 2026 at 9 am, runs for 1 week

In this five-day class our goal is to break down the best method for constructing incredibly intricate murrine. Because of its complexity, murrine can be intimidating and hard to know which steps to do in what order. But by slowing down and really looking at how to best approach each step in the process, we can achieve the kinds of patterns that can seem impossible.

We will cover:

  • Some color theory
  • How to pull successful cane
  • How to build simple, and then complex bundles
  • When to work hot, and when to work cold
  • What to look for when cutting murrine for the hot shop, the kiln shop, and other applications
  • How to set up a plate for patterned roll ups
  • And finally, how to manage your piece with all those murrine.

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 Penelope (Rakov) Lee at https://www.instagram.com/pennyrakovlee/

Talk Suppio

$950 MEMBER PRICE: $950

with DJ Benyosef

Calendar Next available session starts May 25, 2026 at 9 am, runs for 1 week

This five-day glassblowing class will focus on pulling cane to create cane tubes, known as "suppios." This technique is excellent for producing matching or similar objects, making it ideal for production-style work. You will learn the entire process, from pulling cane and rolling it onto a bubble to pulling the tube and cutting it into smaller tubes or cups (suppios). We will also cover gathering, twisting, and blowing up the tubes.

By the end of the course, students will have a deeper understanding of pulling even cane, managing wall thicknesses, and achieving uniform twists. The class will also introduce various wraps and incalmo techniques.

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 DJ Benyosef at benyosefglass.com

Beginning the Journey

$950 MEMBER PRICE: $950

with Beyvan Schantz & Lyla Nelson

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

This beginner glassblowing class will introduce you to the hot shop. We will start by gathering glass out of the furnace, then introduce blowing bubbles and learn to apply hand and tool techniques. By the end of the week, you’ll be working with a partner to create functional vessels you can use. Following this class, you should feel comfortable in any hot shop with an understanding of the tools, processes, teamwork, and communication involved in making blown glass work.

All levels are welcome.

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 Beyvan Schantz at www.beyvanschantz.com

and Lyla Nelson at www.lylanelson.net

Reflections in Glass: Mirroring the Sculpted Bubble

$950 MEMBER PRICE: $950

with MiNHi England

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

This intermediate-level class invites you to explore the reflective possibilities of glass through the process of creating chemically mirrored blown sculptures. Students should already be proficient in gathering and blowing a bubble, as the class will build on those core skills to develop refined, sculpted forms suited for silvering techniques.

The first three days will be spent in the hot shop, focusing on the intentional setup of a bubble designed for mirroring. You will learn how wall thickness, form, internal access, and glass cleanliness each influence the success of the silvering process. The class will experiment with transparent color applications in bar and frit, observing how different hues interact in front of a mirrored surface to create variations in tone and depth within the final chrome finish.

Through daily demonstrations and guided practice, we’ll cover foundational sculpting techniques including bitwork, simple bubble manipulation, and torch-worked surface texturing to enhance form and optical complexity.

The final two days will transition to the classroom, where you will learn the pouring chemical mirroring process. Special attention will be given to the chemistry and care of mirrored surfaces, how to achieve a clean, even silver coat, and the best methods for sealing and maintaining its brilliance over time.

By the end of the course, you will leave with a deeper understanding of how to merge hot shop form making with reflective surface treatment, creating mirrored glass objects that are visually dynamic and built to last.

Additional Class Materials

Organic vapor respirator is required for the mirroring process. Students may bring their own. Respirators can be purchased from PGC prior to the class for $80.

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 MiNHi England at www.minhi.com

Building Your Tool Box

$950 MEMBER PRICE: $950

with Nate Cotterman & Adam Holtzinger

Calendar Next available session starts Jun 22, 2026 at 9 am, runs for 1 week

This five-day class will focus on skill building through repetition of technique. We will work through simple forms that can be used as building blocks for many complex ideas and designs. We will address everything from the arrangement of your bench and how you move through the shop, to starting and finishing your piece with accuracy and intention. We will use drawing and calipers to pre-visualize our ideas prior to going into the shop. Color techniques will be covered as skills develop, but this course will mainly focus on blowing glass accurately and efficiently and being able to repeat the process to get desired results.

This class welcomes those with some glass experience and the desire to enhance their skillset. Those interested should know how to gather and the basics of blowing glass.

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 Nate Cotterman at

New Beginnings in Hot Glass

$950 MEMBER PRICE: $950

with Jon Sirockman

Calendar Next available session starts Jun 29, 2026 at 9 am, runs for 1 week

This is an introduction to glassblowing, no prior experience in the hot shop is needed! We will learn the basics of gathering glass independently of the instructors, moving through the studio, shaping, and reheating the glass to create glass sculptures and vessels that will be solely your own.

We will cover safety and proper use of studio equipment and tools, how to create solid shapes, and then move into breathing life into the glass, concentrating on simple drinking vessels, and the basics of shaping more advanced pieces. This five-day class will set the foundation for you to take more advanced classes in the future.

This class is for beginners who have no experience in the hot shop. If you have had some or limited experience, that is alright. We will be using teambuilding and skill drills to establish a solid foundation in glass.

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 Jon Sirockman at https://www.instagram.com/sirockman_glass/?hl=en

Time Spent on Subtleties

$950 MEMBER PRICE: $950

with Annette Blair

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

Drawing inspiration from our personal connections to objects and organic elements, we will work towards creating a small still life composition with a focus on finessing the little details. Together we will work through the best ways to approach each object in the hot shop, considering both technical and aesthetic possibilities. You will experiment with incorporating coldworked elements into blown and hot sculpted forms and will also be introduced to basic low-fire enamel painting techniques.

This class is suited to intermediate level glassblowers with basic coldworking skills. Students will work on their individual objects and ideas as well as collaborative problem solving.

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 Annette Blair at https://www.annetteblairglass.com/

Stealing Fire, Taming Lightning

$950 MEMBER PRICE: $950

with Percy Echols II

Calendar Next available session starts Jul 20, 2026 at 9 am, runs for 1 week

This five-day class is an introduction to the emerging artistic medium known as plasma light art. We will combine the fundamentals of physics and furnace glassblowing to create illuminated glass sculptures – the proverbial lightning in a bottle!

There is something magical about this process of making light. By producing light through the use of electrified gases, we create an invitation for play as it responds to your proximity and touch. If you think this is neon, you will be surprised how different this will be. Plasma light art is an evolving and experimental art form. If this sounds interesting, then I invite you to come join us.

We will cover the fundamentals for creating a vacuum tight vessel using various hot glass techniques and shaping methods. We will also discuss guidelines on form and structure, design considerations, and preparing your sculptures to be filled.

Our class time will start with demonstration, practice exercises, lecture/discussion and offer as much work time as possible. When you include having to fill our sculptures with gas, we will need all the time the class has to offer! Expect to make use of open studio time.

A list of easy to digest resources is available to prepare yourself at “Plasma Primer: Learning Resource for Students, Co-learners, and Educators” on taminglightning.net

Hot glassblowing has always been a collaborative art making process. This class requires some basic hot glass skills and an open mind prone to misdirection. So it’s important that you are comfortable working in the hot shop and working with a partner. This means you have a working knowledge of glassblowing fundamentals, while you may need some guidance here or there, and the ability to work through independent ideas with coaching and demonstration.

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 Percy Echols II at www.taminglightning.net





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