Your browser is not optimized for viewing this website.

More information »

Pittsburgh Glass Center

Filter by Category



Hot Shop

in Studio

Blown Glass Terrariums

$135 MEMBER PRICE: $135
Calendar Next available session starts Apr 30, 2026 at 6 pm

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.

Blown Glass Pumpkins

$135 MEMBER PRICE: $135
Calendar Next session starts May 2, 2026 at 10 am

Carve out some fun with molten glass pumpkins. In this introductory workshop, you’ll gather glowing molten glass from the 2,100°F furnace and add colors of your choice. Then guided by a skilled instructor, you will blow and sculpt it into beautiful pumpkins with curly stems. This workshop is a fun introductory experience into hot glassblowing. Each participant will make two blown pumpkins, perfect for harvesting compliments at home, gifting to a loved one, or adding a 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.

Full Course

Hot Glass Blowout

$275 MEMBER PRICE: $275
Calendar Next available session starts May 3, 2026 at 11 am

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.

Incredibly Intricate Murrine

$1,050 MEMBER PRICE: $1,050

with Penelope (Rakov) Lee

Calendar Next 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/

Full Course

Sculpted Glass Paperweights

$135 MEMBER PRICE: $135
Calendar Next available session starts May 19, 2026 at 6 pm
PGC 153

Turn up the heat and let your creativity take shape. In this introductory workshop, you’ll gather glowing molten glass from the 2,100°F furnace and add colors of your choice. Then guided by a skilled instructor, you will twist, pull, and sculpt it into one-of-a-kind paperweights bursting with color and personality.

 

This workshop is a fun introductory experience into hot glass sculpting. Each participant will make two fun and functional paperweights, perfect for your desk, shelf, or as a thoughtful gift.

 

Ages 14+

 

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

Sculpted Glass Succulents

$135 MEMBER PRICE: $135
Calendar Next available session starts May 21, 2026 at 6 pm
PGC 156

Grow your creativity and no green thumb required. In this introductory workshop, you’ll gather glass from the 2,100°F furnace and add color. Then guided by a skilled instructor, you will sculpt and blow your own unique glass succulents. No sunlight or soil required.

This workshop is a fun introductory experience into hot glassblowing and hot glass sculpting. Each participant will craft two whimsical succulents, perfect for display, gifting, or brightening any space with a touch of glassy greenery.

Ages 14+

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

Sculpted Glass Mushrooms

$135 MEMBER PRICE: $135
Calendar Next available session starts May 22, 2026 at 6 pm
PGC 149

Step into a whimsical world of molten magic. In this introductory workshop, you’ll gather glass from the 2,100°F furnace and add color. Then twist, pull, and sculpt it into playful glass mushrooms.

This workshop is an engaging, hands-on introductory experience in hot glass sculpting. Each participant will craft two unique mushrooms, perfect for display, gifting, or adding a magical glass touch to any plant or space.

 

Ages 14+

 

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

Beyond the Cup

$340 MEMBER PRICE: $340
Calendar Next available session starts May 23, 2026 at 9:30 am, runs for 4 weeks

Move beyond the basic cup shape to create other hot glass forms.

 

Take your glassblowing skills to the next level by moving beyond the cup. In this intermediate class, you will expand on basic vessel forms by exploring new techniques and shapes while refining your understanding of heat and timing to blow glass quicker and thinner.

 

Prerequisite: Hot 1 or 24 hours equivalent hot glass experience with instructor permission is required.

 

Ages 14+

Class does not meet on June 6.





Forgot password?
Staff Log In