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

Catch the light in glass. In this introductory workshop, you’ll gather molten glass from the 2,100°F furnace and add color. Then guided by a skilled instructor, you will blow and shape it into stunning glass suncatchers.

This workshop is a fun introductory experience to hot glassblowing. Each participant will create two unique suncatchers, perfect for hanging in a window or adding a touch of sparkle anywhere.

Ages 14+

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

This class will explore cane working and glassblowing fundamentals as a framework for developing personal ideas and concepts. Using basic blown forms as a foundation, you will learn a range of technical processes including pulling cane and murrine, roll-ups on collars and bubbles, and the creation and use of both duro and veil cane.

Through demonstrations and hands-on practice, you will investigate how pattern and color can be integrated into blown forms. You will be encouraged to push beyond conventional applications of cane, experimenting with unconventional uses to develop narrative and new ways of thinking through making. This class is ideal for students interested in strengthening their technical skills while using glass as a vehicle for idea-driven work.

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 Jason Forck at www.jasonforck.com

Create a luminous glass sphere that floats and delights. In this introductory workshop, you’ll gather molten glass from the 2,100°F furnace and add colors of your choice. Then guided by a skilled instructor, you will blow and shape it into fun and funky blown glass garden floats. This workshop is a fun introductory experience to glassblowing. Each participant will craft two garden floats, perfect to hang inside, display outside, or float in a pond or birdbath.

Ages 14+

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

Create a beautiful glass home for your favorite air plants. In this introductory workshop, you will gather glass from the 2,100°F furnace and add color. Then, guided by a skilled instructor, you will blow, shape, and sculpt it into a one-of-a-kind terrarium.

This workshop is a fun introductory experience into hot glassblowing. Each participant will craft two blown glass terrariums, perfect for displaying your air plants, cuttings, or trinkets. (Air plants not included.)

Ages 14+

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

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.

Ages 14+

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

Get ready to be bowl-ed over by the magic of molten glass. In this introductory workshop, you’ll gather molten glass from the 2,100°F furnace and choose and add color. Then guided by a skilled instructor, you will blow and shape it into vibrant double-walled blown glass bowls.

This workshop is a fun introductory experience to glassblowing. Each participant will craft two bowls, ideal for holding small items, serving snacks, displaying jewelry, or adding a funky decorative touch to any space.

Ages 14+

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

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