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

In this intermediate five-day class, you will learn the fundamentals of hollow sculpting borosilicate glass at the torch in order to design plasma lighting. We will cover shaping, texture, and creating proper seals to make simple and complex sculptures. Sculpting techniques will cover abstract and figurative forms. You will also learn to add and design around the electrode and filling tube.

We will cover advanced topics like encasements and inclusions of phosphor as well as problems and design challenges presented by this method of working. Once your glass vessel is complete and checked for leaks, we will put our pieces under vacuum and fill them with noble gasses!

Class time will alternate between demonstration, discussion, and plenty of work time. You are strongly encouraged but not required to use the evening open studio.

On the last day we will light up all of our work and have our own plasma show.

Come to class with a sketchbook and plenty of ideas. Reference photos are encouraged for students with specific ideas they’d like to pursue.

Experience working with hollow borosilicate glass is required, however experience with plasma/neon is not. Students should at least be comfortable connecting hollow tubes to make a "straight seal."

Additional Class Materials

A blow hose assembly kit is required. Students may bring their own or kits are available for purchase on-site on the first day of class for $40.

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 Angela McHale at www.roseglassart.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.

*Class runs Monday through Saturday for the first week, and Monday through Friday for the second week. 

For more information, please review Summer Intensives.

 

Learn more about Chris Giordano at www.giostudio.com

Learn more about Cole Johnson at www.colejohnsonglass.com

 

Say goodbye to your comfort zone, prepare to challenge limits and articulate your unique vision. Explore the three-dimensional world of dynamic action with borosilicate glass while simultaneously expanding your sculptural lexicon. In this five-day class, emphasis will be placed on improving technical literacy in flameworking and developing your artistic voice.Through demonstrations and hands-on practice you will investigate, experiment, and turn the fundamentals of flameworking upside down to create complex sculptural forms. Explorations in color rod and frit applications will add further dimension and excitement to the process. Balancing innovation, intuition, and technical skill with a spirit of experimentation, this class invites students to reimagine the potential of borosilicate sculpture.

Students should have basic flameworking skills. They should have experience working with hollow forms or be at the level where they can start.

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 Kimberly Thomas at www.KimberlyThomas.art

Discover how modern technology and traditional craftsmanship come together in this five-day class that blends stained glass artistry with the precision of waterjet cutting. In this hands-on class, you will learn how to digitally design, cut, and assemble your own stained glass projects using the waterjet machine.

Throughout the week, students will be introduced to the fundamentals of digital design for glass cutting, explore file preparation and machine operation, and experiment with how the waterjet can expand what’s possible in stained glass design. We’ll begin with a small group test project to familiarize everyone with the process, then move into open-form studio time where students can develop and cut their own designs.

This class encourages experimentation and discovery — whether you want to refine your cutting precision, explore complex patterns, or integrate new materials into your work. You’ll have the freedom to create something truly your own and better understand how a waterjet may expand what's possible in your studio.

By the end of the week, you will feel confident designing, preparing, and cutting your own stained glass pieces with the waterjet. You’ll understand how to integrate digital design into your creative process and walk away knowing whether a waterjet could become a valuable tool in your personal studio or artistic workflow.

Open studio hours are encouraged for extended design and cutting time.

Students are encouraged to digitally draw and transfer patterns. Please bring a Laptop or Ipad. SD card or USB for file transfer and storage beyond class.

Materials are provided, however students may wish to bring or purchase additional glass for larger or more intricate projects.

Intermediate to advanced skill levels are welcome. Basic stained glass skills (glass cutting, foiling, or assembling) are helpful but not required; comfort using a computer or Ipad for digital design is strongly recommended (Adobe Illustrator or ProCreate for the Ipad).

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 Meggy Wilm at www.coglassworks.com

PGC 1

Enroll in Hot 2, build on your existing skill set and expand your creative potential. Refine and diverge from the standard cup and bowl shape in the first few weeks before moving on to more complex forms. Explore basic color application methods and learn how to troubleshoot common problems. It is recommended that all students take this class a second time in order to continue to develop and refine basic skills before moving on to advanced hot glass classes.

 

Class tuition includes 2 hours of rental time per student to be used during the 8-week course period. Open Studio is held on Monday Nights 5:00pm - 9:00pm.

Prerequisite: Hot 1 or 24 hours of hot shop experience with instructor permission is required.

 

Multiweek classes do not meet the week of October 11-17th, 2026.

 

Ages 14+

Take your flameworking foundation to the next level! This class will walk you through the creation of each component part of a flower and guide you through the process of assembling the parts into a finished botanical form. Color application, bridging component parts, and using the hand torch to create solid seals for even the most delicate of works will be covered. You can expect to learn how to use colorful rods, frit, and stringers to create petals, stamen, stems, branches, tendrils, and leaves. Glass tubing will also be introduced.

Class tuition includes 2 hours of open-studio time to be used during the 8-week course period. Open Studio is held on Monday nights 5:00pm - 9:00pm.

Prerequisite: Flame 1: Introduction to Flameworking, or equivalent 24 hours experience with instructor permission required.

Class does not meet the week of October 11 - 17, 2026.

Ages 14+

Choose from a variety of patterns and learn the traditional technique of lead came. This technique is necessary to create a window that will be exposed to outdoor elements. Understanding this technique will allow you to feel comfortable moving forward with larger, more permanent stained glass creations.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Stained Glass or 24 hours of stained glass experience with instructor experience is required.

Class does not meet the week of October 11-17th, 2026.

Ages 14+