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Pittsburgh Glass Center

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Skill level

Neon 101: Introduction to Neon

$495
Calendar Next session starts Jan 21, 2027 at 1:30 pm

Discover the art of neon bending as we delve into the world of soda lime (soft) glass tubing. This hands-on class will equip you with essential techniques using a range of specialized tools to heat and shape the glass, enabling you to craft your very own neon sign or captivating sculpture! Throughout the course, you'll be guided through tutorials that cover glass bending, pattern design, wiring, and installation. Witness the mesmerizing process of filling a glass tube with gas to bring forth the captivating glow of light. Unleash your creativity and illuminate your world with the magic of neon! No experience necessary.

Additional Class Materials Fee: This course requires a blow hose assembly kit. If students need to purchase: Kits are available for purchase on site the first day of class for $.

Ages 16+

Full Course

Hot Glass 4: Open Projects

$680
Calendar Next available session starts Jan 21, 2027 at 6:30 pm

In this class, choose to either watch weekly technique-driven demonstrations or work on independent projects with the guidance of the instructor. Come with projects in mind that interest you as a developing glass artist or focus on advanced techniques demonstrated. Instructors will offer guidance, support, and help troubleshoot ideas as you continue to explore new ways to work with glass. Class tuition includes 2 hours of studio rental time to be used during the 8-week course period. Open Studio is held on Monday Nights 5:00pm - 9:00pm.

Prerequisite: Hot Glass 3 or equivalent 72 hours experience with instructor permission required.

Ages 14+

Kiln 2: Imagery and Pattern

$540
Calendar Next available session starts Jan 21, 2027 at 6:30 pm, runs for 8 weeks

In this intermediate fusing class, you’ll refine your glass-cutting skills while diving deeper into color, pattern, and material behavior. Build confidence and precision as you practice advanced cutting techniques, including harnessing the use of the  ¼" strip.

Discover fresh ways to make your work stand out by creating custom art glass with powders and stringers. You’ll also design and fabricate a pixel-pattern bar, repeating and manipulating your motif while investigating the scientific properties that drive how glass moves, melts, and fuses.  

Prerequisite:  Kiln 1 or 24 hours of fused glass experience with instructor approval required.  

Neon: Next Steps

$495
Calendar Next available session starts Jan 21, 2027 at 6:30 pm

Take your neon skills to the next level in this follow-up to Neon 101. This hands-on class is designed to refine your technique, improve control, and develop your neon art through troubleshooting. You'll build confidence by practicing and improvising with fundamental bends including L-bends, U-bends, drops, and rises while learning how to adjust and correct mistakes along the way.

Beyond bending, this course emphasizes pattern accuracy and assembly, guiding you through the process of completing a fully functional neon piece. You'll gain experience with essential hardware and mounting strategies, ensuring your work is ready for illumination. To bring your creations to life, up to two completed signs will be filled with gas at no additional charge. Continue honing your craft, troubleshoot with confidence, and illuminate your creativity! Class tuition includes 2 hours of open-studio time to be used during the 8-week course period. This will help you become familiar with the studio and learn the process of studio rental beyond class hours. Prerequisite: Neon 101 or 24 hours similar class experience with instructor permission is required. Additional Class Materials Fee: A blow hose assembly kit is required. Kits are available for purchase on-site on the first day of class for $.

Ages 16+

Stained Glass 2: Intermediate Copper Foil

$610
Calendar Next available session starts Jan 21, 2027 at 6:30 pm, runs for 8 weeks

Take your stained glass skills from beginner to intermediate through repetition, experimentation, and plenty of room to try, fail, and try again. Rather than spending the entire 8-week course on one large panel, you’ll design and create a series of smaller suncatchers, using each project as an opportunity to explore new techniques and refine your skills.

Topics will include working with challenging types of glass, designing for structural integrity, incorporating found objects, decorative soldering, wire adornment, and using advanced coldworking equipment. Through a series of hands-on projects, you’ll build confidence with new processes while developing your own approach to design and problem-solving.

This course is ideal for students with some stained glass experience who are ready to experiment, expand their technical skills, and take their work to the next level.

Glass cutting basics and foiling will not be covered. Students will occasionally be expected to complete entire projects during a single class session. We ask students to be comfortable working in stained glass ahead of the first session and be prepared to take part in open studio.

Class tuition includes 2 sessions of open-studio time to be used during the 8-week course to complete your class projects.

Prerequisite: Stained Glass 1: Introduction to Copper Foil, or 24 hours of similar class experience and instructor permission, is required.

Exploring Plasma and Neon in Kiln-Formed Glass

$550
Calendar Next session starts Jan 22, 2027 at 9:30 am

Dive into the fascinating world of plasma by exploring the art of creating plasma and neon filled panels using fused glass techniques, building on the process pioneered by Wayne Strattman (Luminglas) and further developed by Mark Ditzler.

In our kiln shop sessions, you'll master glass design and assembly, shaping glass with molds or fiber models, and sealing parts using specialized "solder glass" in the kiln — including use of the water jet cutter for sheet glass and laser cutter for intricate fiber patterns.

In the neon/plasma shop, learn about vacuum techniques, gas pressure, phosphors, and power supplies. Complete two panel projects and unravel the rarely explored path of flat panel plasma design.

Hot Glass 1

$680
Calendar Next session starts Jan 22, 2027 at 12:30 pm

PGC 1 Learn to blow glass now.

In this introductory class, learn to gather clear molten glass from the furnace and shape it into various forms, from paperweights to simple blown shapes, such as cups and bowls.

Instruction focuses on a team approach to glassblowing, with an emphasis on safety, proper tool use, basic techniques, and materials. Youll never drink from a glass again without appreciating the energy and detail that went into making it. No experience is required.

You may also wish to take this class a second time in order to continue to develop and refine basic skills before moving on to Hot Glass 2. Each time you take it, your skill level, confidence, and passion for glass will grow.

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.

Break Through! Archival Cuts

$450
Calendar Next available session starts Jan 23, 2027 at 9:30 am

Take your coldworking to the next level in this new and exciting coldworking class. Explore how traditional coldworking can be utilized in non-traditional and modern applications. Collaborate with glass blowers in the hot shop to design colorful items then manipulate them to reveal layers of color with the lathe, sandblaster, or lap wheels. Combine found objects, cement, and glass. Then cut, laminate, and coldwork new and exciting shapes. Come away with new skills, fun projects, and inspiration for more complicated works.

 

Class tuition includes 6 hours of studio rental time to be used during the 8-week course period. Rental time is purposefully included with this 8-week course to give students independent studio time to practice the skills and will be required to be able to complete projects.

 

Prerequisite: Introduction to Coldworking, or equivalent 24 hours of coldworking experience with instructor permission is required.

 

Ages 14+





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