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Pittsburgh Glass Center



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Flameworked Whales

$115
Calendar Next available session starts Jul 18, 2026 at 12:30 pm

Dive into the magic of molten glass. In this introductory workshop, heat and shape molten glass into whimsical whale sculptures using a 3,000°F torch. Guided by a skilled instructor, learn torch basics, experiment with adding color and playful details to create one-of-a-kind creations. Add a glass loop to make it a pendant or keep them as trinkets. Perfect for adding whimsy to your home, fish tank, or sharing with a friend.

 

Ages 14+

 

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

Flameworked Garden Slugs

$115
Calendar Next available session starts Jul 18, 2026 at 3 pm

PGC 123 Take it slow and let your creativity slide. In this introductory workshop, learn to heat and shape borosilicate glass into charming little slugs using a 3,000°F torch. Guided by a skilled instructor, learn torch basics and add color and texture to make each one your own sluggish creation. Add a glass loop to make it wearable or keep it as a figurine to add to a potted plant.

 

Ages 14+

 

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

Cast On Castaway

$1,050

with Jacci Delaney

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

This five-day introductory kilncasting class will be a tsunami of information and fun experimentation. If you have ever wanted to try glass casting, this is the class for you!

The first day we are going to make our positives with plasticine and fire them. The next day we will start wax working our models. Wax is great because you can make undercuts and just about any other shape. We will then learn the lost wax casting method, steam out the wax and fire the molds.

This class will require any clay or weird household tools that can be used for wax working, thinking outside the box, and willingness to get dirty playing with wax, clay, plaster, and silica.

Please bring three to five small items in any material that you would like to make a casting of, and we’ll see what we can do. The best part will be analyzing the objects you bring to class to see if and how we can cast them in glass. It takes an unusual approach to cast a teddy bear into glass and I bring that to my teaching style.

You will have the choice of free sculpting your models, using ready-made objects, or combining the two in order to execute conceptual ideas, and emphasize your creativity. Shellac can be your best friend when working with soft objects to cast. We will work with alginate and learn how to make rubber molds for multiples. We will also learn how to program the kilns, which can be intimidating but we will conquer it together.

Students are encouraged to use open studio time to work on projects.

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 Jacci Delaney at www.jaccidelaney.com

Flowers and Fauna

$1,050

with David Licata

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

Inspired by the complexity of nature, this flameworking class will break it all down to the basics. From glass flowers, and trees to coral reefs, bring your creativity and talent to the table and to the torch.

The five-day class will be tailored to each student's abilities so all levels are welcome. Demonstrations will be tailored to individual students.

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 David Licata at www.Davidlicata.com

Full Course

Stealing Fire, Taming Lightning

$1,050

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

Make-It-A-Date: Fused Charcuterie Plate

$3750
Calendar Next available session starts Jul 24, 2026 at 6 pm
2 additional sessions through Jul 24, 2026

Cozy up with your date in the kiln shop for an evening of creativity, color, and connection. This special date night invites couples to collaborate on a single glass artwork, learning the beauty (and teamwork!) that goes into crafting glass by hand. It’s the ultimate compatibility test: can you fuse your ideas as seamlessly as your glass?

Together, you’ll design and assemble a one-of-a-kind fused glass charcuterie plate using glass glass granules (frit), and thin glass rods (stringers). Once it is finished and fired it will be perfect for serving your favorite snacks, crackers, and cheese.

After your hands-on studio time, kick back on the patio with a glass of wine or beer and some tasty bites, let the live music set the mood as you wander the gallery, and be wowed by glassblowing and flameworking demonstrations happening throughout the evening. If you register for a later glassmaking slot, we suggest arriving early to enjoy all this event has to offer.

Each couple makes 1 charcuterie plate together.

Make-It-Now experiences offer a quick, hands-on introduction to the colorful world of kilnformed glass. In the kiln shop, you’ll learn from a skilled local artist how to design and assemble your own glass creation using glass frit and stringers. In less than an hour, explore how layers of glass come together to form vibrant patterns and images of your own design. Perfect for beginners, these quick experiences let you discover the beauty of working with glass at your own pace and with no heat.

Ages 21+

Guests under 21 not permitted.

 

Due to the nature of hot glass, items cannot be taken home the same day they are created. All items made in the kiln shop must be heated and fused in the kiln, then cooled slowly. Items are available for pick-up after 5 days. Shipping can be arranged on site the day of your activity.

Blown Glass Catch-All Bowls

$135
Calendar Next available session starts Jul 25, 2026 at 5 pm

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.

A Deeper Image—Flourishes, Fancies, and Festoons in Hot Casting

$1,050

with JW May

Calendar Next available session starts Jul 27, 2026 at 9 am, runs for 1 week

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





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