PGC 159

Craft a whimsical glass dragonfly. In this introductory workshop, you’ll explore the fundamentals of stained glass. Under the guidance of a skilled instructor you’ll learn to cut, shape, and assemble glass into delicate wings. Then you’ll solder your creation with glass gems into a charming, decorative piece. A perfect project for beginners who love colorful, nature-inspired art.

 

Ages 14+

 

One of the greatest challenges in kilnformed glass is capturing intricate detail in finished work. This hands-on five-day class introduces students to non-traditional Pâte de Verre techniques—an innovative approach to working with glass paste at low temperatures without the use of investment molds. You will learn how to recreate real or imagined objects in striking detail, while also exploring methods that lend themselves to expressive abstraction.

Through demonstrations, discussion, and guided practice, you will explore:

• Silicone Molds – Make replicas of small objects using two types of silicone molds: one with common household caulking, and another with two-part pourable silicone rubber.
• Freeform Sculpting – Shape glass paste directly using simple tools such as palette knives, creating unique forms without molds.Color Samples – Create and test color swatches, learning how low-fire schedules affect color maturity and how to achieve desired visual outcomes.
• Exploring Binders – Experiment with three different binders, comparing their strengths and weaknesses for various applications.
• Dry Working – Develop methods for refining detail, smoothing surfaces, and preparing pieces for successful firing.
• Cold Working – Develop methods for cleaning and refining surfaces after firing.
• Technical Discussions – Gain insight into low-fire kilnforming challenges, including managing shrinkage, balancing thin and thick areas, fusing schedules, and kiln support strategies.

By the end of the course, students will have a toolkit of practical techniques for shaping glass paste into forms rich with texture, depth, and detail—equally suited for realism or abstraction.

Advanced beginners are welcome, however they must have some understanding of firing schedules and heat work in a kiln.

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 Evelyn Gottschall Baker at www.glassfractions.com

PGC 136

Turn your next snack spread into a showstopper. In this introductory workshop, you’ll design and fuse your very own glass charcuterie board, perfect for cheese, crackers, and a conversation starter. Under the guidance of a skilled instructor, learn how to cut, design, and assemble colorful sheet glass, glass granules (frit), and thin glass rods (stringers) into bold designs. Once you design it, we’ll fuse it in the kiln. Charcuterie not included.

 

Completed charcuterie plates are 8" x 8".

 

Ages 14+

 

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

Get creative with color! In this fun kiln shop experience, you’ll be guided by a skilled artist to use colorful glass granules (frit) and thin glass rods (stringers) to design your own vibrant glass suncatcher—a fun decorative way to capture sunlight and express yourself with glass. Once you design it, we’ll fire it, so all the pieces become one.

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 5+

Adult supervision is required for any child 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 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.

Learn how to embrace the unique working properties of found, recycled, and manufactured glass. In this experimental five-day class, you’ll be introduced to the creative possibilities of repurposed glass in the kiln and cold shop. Guided by demonstrations and technical lectures, we will complete a fast-paced series of kiln tests and small sculptures utilizing various types of found and collected 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 Morgan Gilbreath at www.morgangilbreath.com

PGC 163

Bring your garden to life with a vibrant stained glass mushroom. In this introductory workshop, you’ll explore the fundamentals of stained glass. Under the guidance of a skilled instructor, you’ll learn to cut, wrap, and solder glass from a pattern into a fun and funky mushroom that brightens potted plants or outdoor beds. Great for adding personality and sparkle to any space.

 

Ages 14+

 

PGC 137

Make your coffee table pop with your own handmade glass coasters. In this introductory workshop, learn to cut and assemble sheet glass and combine it with frit (colored glass granules) and stringers (thin colored glass rods) to design a set of one-of-a-kind coasters.

 

Once you design them, we’ll fire your creations in the kiln fusing all the pieces into a cohesive set of functional coasters, perfect for your home or as a fun handmade gift.

 

Ages 14+

 

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

During this class, Emma will introduce her original method of fusing and casting multiple layers of glass, which she has been exploring and developing, with great success, for past 20 years. This innovative technique enables fusing/casting of thin glass sheets used to set up layers composed of tiny mosaic-like elements, thus achieving three-dimensional images inside the transparent fused/cast sculptural object.

This class will focus on a new way of three-dimensional thinking in creating glass objects; on using properties of glass to achieve visual effects as well as to achieve a sense of movement within cast glass objects. You are not required to have previous experience in glass fusing. Beginners will be able, along with students possessing advanced glass fusing skills, to create and finalize their own three-dimensional glass objects during this class. Additionally, you will receive basic information about grinding and polishing three-dimensional glass objects. At all times, students will have access to an extensive digital gallery in Emma’s laptop including images of recent work as well as closeups revealing fine details on layers inside the glass object. Expect to discover an exciting new method of creating images within transparent three-dimensional glass objects.

In the past 10 years, Emma experimented with new techniques such as glass mosaics made from pre-fused elements, as well as sculptural objects constructed from tiny pâte de verre elements - a rather unusual and innovative application of pâte de verre technique. Another field of experimentation is using pâte de verre elements for inclusion onto layers of fused/cast objects. During her class, Emma will demonstrate and explain these methods, as well as vast possibilities and combinations. Students will be encouraged to experiment and play with kilnforming techniques in order to create a range of small fused, cast objects.

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 Emma Varga at www.emmavarga.com