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

Hot casting is more than just pouring glass into a mold.

In this five-day class, we will use blown/hot worked, torchworked, kiln cast, fused, coldworked and hot cast glass components, as well as metal and unconventional materials, and combine these many different parts into multi-layer hot castings. We’ll also add imagery through several different methods, including decals and silk screening. Beginning with the construction and selection of elements, we will discuss investing the objects into the sand, layering them with hot glass, adding more and more components and layers in the kiln.

Using premade parts and hot castings, we will create a work divested from traditional open-face hot castings and utilizing all the best qualities of different glass processes.

You will also learn the basics of hot glass casing into sand molds. Using organic and found objects to make impressions into the sand, hot glass will be ladled into the form, as well as some metal and graphite molds. We will treat the sandbox as a canvas for collage, improvisation, and rapid prototyping.

You are encouraged to bring a variety of small, rigid objects that can be pressed into the sand as well as some small organic items, such as leaves and flowers, which can be ladled over. Emphasis will be placed on a general survey of tips and tricks for making successful and unique objects as well as linking and displaying those works.

Students should bring a sizable (as much as possible) and varied library of reference material and objects to work from.

This class is great for glass artists who are experienced in other techniques that want to bring their fusing, or casting, or torchworked objects into the hot shop in an unconventional way.

Beginners and non-glass artists are also very welcome so long as you don't mind playing in the sand.

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 JW May at www.jwmay.com

This two-week intensive examines the relationship between the hot and cold shop. We will be focusing on and encouraging both exploration and refinement of form. Throughout the course you will move between studios, developing vessel forms, and advancing them through various surface and finishing techniques.

In the hot shop, you will focus on building technique and creating blank forms to further work in the cold shop. Demonstrations will cover various techniques, such as double overlay, Swedish overlay, stuff cups, powder application, and pattern making. Guided instruction will highlight bubble setup, heat control, timing, and intentionality. Using the 3D object to study form, color, and function.

Cold shop sessions will focus on equipment operation, punty removal, lathe work, and surface treatment. Using various cutting wheels and methods of surface finishing, students will explore texture, pattern, and optical effects. Designed for students with prior hot shop experience, this course supports technical growth, material awareness, and a deeper understanding of how form, surface, and color interact.

Students must be able to comfortably blow and cap a bubble. Participants are encouraged to bring a sketchbook and a desire to learn.

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 Chris Giordano at <a href="www.giostudio.com"></a>

Learn more about Cole Johnson at <a href="www.colejohnsonglass.com"></a>