This intermediate-level class invites you to explore the reflective possibilities of glass through the process of creating chemically mirrored blown sculptures. Students should already be proficient in gathering and blowing a bubble, as the class will build on those core skills to develop refined, sculpted forms suited for silvering techniques.

The first three days will be spent in the hot shop, focusing on the intentional setup of a bubble designed for mirroring. You will learn how wall thickness, form, internal access, and glass cleanliness each influence the success of the silvering process. The class will experiment with transparent color applications in bar and frit, observing how different hues interact in front of a mirrored surface to create variations in tone and depth within the final chrome finish.

Through daily demonstrations and guided practice, we’ll cover foundational sculpting techniques including bitwork, simple bubble manipulation, and torch-worked surface texturing to enhance form and optical complexity.

The final two days will transition to the classroom, where you will learn the pouring chemical mirroring process. Special attention will be given to the chemistry and care of mirrored surfaces, how to achieve a clean, even silver coat, and the best methods for sealing and maintaining its brilliance over time.

By the end of the course, you will leave with a deeper understanding of how to merge hot shop form making with reflective surface treatment, creating mirrored glass objects that are visually dynamic and built to last.

Additional Class Materials

Organic vapor respirator is required for the mirroring process. Students may bring their own. Respirators can be purchased from PGC prior to the class for $80.

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 MiNHi England at www.minhi.com

Beads have served as vessels of history, trade, and personal expression—and in this five-day class, they become a laboratory for flameworking exploration.

Using the bead as our central object of study, you will progress from mandrel-wound soda lime beads to hollow, off-mandrel, and blown sculptural beads in both soft glass and borosilicate. Along the way, we’ll cover color use, surface pattern and treatment, hollow-form techniques, and strategies for efficient production.

Grounded in almost 30 years of professional glasswork, the instruction combines deep technical knowledge with inventive problem solving. Expect a fast-paced but relaxed environment, filled with demonstrations, hands-on practice, and plenty of tips and tricks that you won’t find in books.

The focus is on pushing technical skills, broadening your design vocabulary, and helping you refine or reinvent your own beadmaking practice. You’ll leave with a collection of beads—ranging from small studies to oversized sculptural objects—that can stand on their own or be integrated into jewelry, strands, or other creative projects.

Expect to make a lot of beads, gain new skills, and walk away with fresh inspiration for your work.

This class is ideal for intermediate to advanced flameworkers, though adventurous beginners are welcome.

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 Amy Lemaire at amylemaire.com

This five-day class will focus on skill building through repetition of technique. We will work through simple forms that can be used as building blocks for many complex ideas and designs. We will address everything from the arrangement of your bench and how you move through the shop, to starting and finishing your piece with accuracy and intention. We will use drawing and calipers to pre-visualize our ideas prior to going into the shop. Color techniques will be covered as skills develop, but this course will mainly focus on blowing glass accurately and efficiently and being able to repeat the process to get desired results.

This class welcomes those with some glass experience and the desire to enhance their skillset. Those interested should know how to gather and the basics of blowing glass.

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 Nate Cotterman at www.natecotterman.com

Learn more about Adam Holtzinger at www.keepbrooklyn.com

In this five-day class we will explore the foundations of goblet making in the Venetian style. We will start with the most fundamental ideas of cup making and steadily grow in complexity throughout the class. From a simple tumbler to larger ornamental goblets. We will focus on working and directing a team, understanding the importance and roles of gaffer/assistants, and the timing and process of assembling cups in an effective manner.

This class is best suited for individuals with some experience in glass that are interested in learning about goblet making in the Venetian style. Students should be able to gather effectively and understand the basics of glassblowing.

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 Anthony Toomey at anthonytoomeyglass.com

In this five-day class we will delve into the world of moving parts. We’ll begin with introductory flameworking details including hot seals, cold seals, and how to turn. Then you can expect many different types of chain (the simplest moving part) leading into the construction of simple mechanisms to make glass move. Bridging, kiln shelf drawing, and gear construction will be addressed.

Bring your sketchbook, compass and straight edge and get ready to build.

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 Kit Paulson at kitpaulsonglass.com

Drawing inspiration from our personal connections to objects and organic elements, we will work towards creating a small still life composition with a focus on finessing the little details. Together we will work through the best ways to approach each object in the hot shop, considering both technical and aesthetic possibilities. You will experiment with incorporating coldworked elements into blown and hot sculpted forms and will also be introduced to basic low-fire enamel painting techniques.

This class is suited to intermediate level glassblowers with basic coldworking skills. Students will work on their individual objects and ideas as well as collaborative problem solving.

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 Annette Blair at https://www.annetteblairglass.com/

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