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Pittsburgh Glass Center

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Blown Glass Garden Floats

$135 MEMBER PRICE: $135
Calendar Next available session starts Mar 22, 2026 at 1 pm
PGC 18

Sculpted Glass Succulents

$135 MEMBER PRICE: $135
Calendar Next available session starts Mar 26, 2026 at 6 pm
PGC 130

Optical Allusions with Ross Delano

$425 MEMBER PRICE: $425

with Ross Delano

Calendar Next available session starts Mar 28, 2026 at 9 am

Play with pattern, light, and distortion in this 2-day intensive class and explore the creative potential of optic molds. We will begin with the fundamentals of gathering and setting up a proper bubble for mold blowing, then experiment with ways to transform optical ridges. Through guided demonstrations and hands-on practice, you’ll learn how to twist, pinch, cut, and manipulate the optical ridges to create different and fun effects. Hot glass 1 or equivalent 24 hours glassblowing experience with instructor approval required.

 

Saturday, March 28th, class is from 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM. Sunday, March 29th, class is from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Make-It-Now: Egg Sculpture

$45 MEMBER PRICE: $45
Calendar Next available session starts Mar 28, 2026 at 9:30 am
11 additional sessions through Mar 28, 2026
Feel the heat of the hot shop, shape molten glass, and admire your egg-cellent sculpture. In this quick and exciting hot shop experience, you’ll work closely with a skilled artist to shape molten glass from our 2,100°F furnace into a unique and stunning swirled egg sculpture, a fun and funky item for any decor. Make-It-Now experiences offer a quick hands-on introduction to the magic of glassmaking. In the hot shop, you’ll work one-on-one with a skilled local artist at the 2,100°F furnace. In about 15 minutes or less, you’ll work together to shape, color, and craft your glass item. Perfect for beginners, these short experiences offer a taste of the excitement, skill, and artistry that goes into working with glass in a supportive, guided setting.

Ages 5+ unless otherwise specified

Adult supervision is required for any children under 14 years old.

Due to the nature of hot glass, items cannot be taken home the same day they are created. All items made in the hot 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.

Make-It-Now: Sculpted Glass Flower

$45 MEMBER PRICE: $45
Calendar Next available session starts Mar 29, 2026 at 10 am
23 additional sessions through Mar 29, 2026

Feel the heat of the hot shop while you shape molten glass and watch your flower take form. In this quick and exciting hot shop experience, you’ll work closely with a skilled artist to shape molten glass from our 2,100°F furnace into a one-of-a-kind glass flower that lasts forever. Make-It-Now experiences offer a quick hands-on introduction to the magic of glassmaking. In the hot shop, you’ll work one-on-one with a skilled local artist at the 2,100°F furnace. In about 15 minutes or less, you’ll work together to shape, color, and craft your glass item. Perfect for beginners, these short experiences offer a taste of the excitement, skill, and artistry that goes into working with glass in a supportive, guided setting. Ages 5+ unless otherwise specified. Adult supervision is required for any children under 14 years old. Due to the nature of hot glass, items cannot be taken home the same day they are created. All items made in the hot 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.

Hot Glass in the Fast Lane

$680 MEMBER PRICE: $680
Calendar Next available session starts Mar 31, 2026 at 6:30 pm, runs for 4 weeks

An 8-week curriculum, accelerated into just 4 weeks.

Explore glassblowing in just 4-weeks! Learn to gather molten glass from the furnace, and then sculpt it into various forms, from paperweights to simple blown shapes, like cups and bowls. 

Focus will be placed on the team approach to glassblowing and will emphasize safety, proper tool use, basic techniques, and materials.

This class is appropriate whether you have limited hot shop experience or none at all. You will experience the same number of contact hours as students attending the once-a-week, 8-week classes, but in a condensed, 4-week format.

There are two options: One class meets twice a week on both Tuesday and Thursday; the other is a longer day on Saturdays.

Ages 14+

Beyond the Cup

$340 MEMBER PRICE: $340
Calendar Next available session starts Apr 1, 2026 at 6:30 pm, 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+

TEENS ONLY! Sculpted Glass Succulents

$85 MEMBER PRICE: $85
Calendar Next available session starts Apr 3, 2026 at 10 am
Grow your creativity! 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.

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.




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