SiO2 Flameworking is a hands-on, after school program specifically for students in grades 9 -12. Classes meet once a week for 10 sessions. This class does not meet on 3/3/2026.

High school-aged students will work closely with professional teaching artists to learn how to use a 3,000°F tabletop torch, the heat it generates, and gravity to shape molten glass. They will learn about borosilicate, a hard glass with a high melting point that can be used to make a variety of small sculptures, jewelry, and more. Young artists are encouraged to bring their creativity to the torch.

This program is designed with youth in mind. The course focuses on safety, confidence building with materials, and teaching foundational glassmaking skills to young artists. Sessions and content will vary and adapt to students' interests and skills. This program is often taken more than once. We encourage our students from Mixed and Mashed Up to level up to this program, but no previous experience is required.

Students who participate in SiO2 Flameworking are invited to participate in a celebration and exhibition at the end of the semester and are also invited to show their work in a rotating display on Pittsburgh Glass Center’s third floor.

PGC is committed to facilitating access for all young people. We offer full- and half-tuition scholarships for middle school and high school students based on application strength. No previous glass or art experience is required. Our only prerequisites are enthusiasm, curiosity, and eagerness to learn.

APPLY NOW for a youth scholarship at this link.

PGC 154 Illuminate your rituals with the beauty of blown glass. In this introductory workshop, you will gather glass from the 2,100°F furnace and add colors of your choice. Then, guided by a skilled instructor, you’ll blow and shape the glass into elegant Shabbat candle holders, designed to reflect and amplify the warmth of candlelight.

This workshop is a fun introduction to hot glassblowing. Each participant will create a pair of blown glass candle holders perfect for marking Shabbat, celebrating tradition, or bringing a meaningful, handmade glow into your home.

PGC 200

Roll into the magic of molten glass. In this introductory workshop, learn torch basics and melt and manipulate glass rods into colorful, swirling marbles using a 3,000°F torch. Guided by a skilled instructor, you’ll add decorative techniques like twists, dots, and trails to create one-of-a-kind designs. Use graphite molds to perfect your sphere and walk away with a set perfect for collecting or sharing.

 

 

 

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

Mixed and Mashed Up is a hands-on, glass making after-school program specifically for students in grades 6-8. Classes meet after school once a week for 12 sessions.

Students will spend four sessions in three studios learning foundational glassblowing, flameworking, and kilnforming from professional teaching artists.

In the hot shop, students will gather and shape glass from a 2,100°F furnace. In the flame shop, students will melt, shape, and manipulate rods of glass over a 3,000°F tabletop torch. In the kiln shop, students will explore the world of cutting and designing with flat glass and kilnforming, including casting, fusing, or stained glass.

This program is designed with youth in mind. All studios focus on safety, confidence building with materials, and teaching foundational glassmaking skills to young artists. Sessions and content will vary and adapt to students' interests and skills. This program is often taken more than once.

Students who participate in Mixed and Mashed up are invited to participate in a celebration and exhibition at the end of the semester and are also invited to show their work in a rotating display on Pittsburgh Glass Center’s third floor.

PGC is committed to facilitating access for all young people. We offer full- and half-tuition scholarships for middle school and high school students based on application strength. No previous glass or art experience is required. Our only prerequisites are enthusiasm, curiosity, and eagerness to learn.

APPLY NOW for a youth scholarship at this link.

SiO2 Fusing and Casting is a hands-on, after school program specifically for students in grades 9 ; 12. Classes meet once a week for 10 sessions.

Over the course of the session, high school-aged students will work closely with professional teaching artists to learn and practice kilnforming, casting, and kiln studio basics. Students will learn how to cut flat glass and work with a variety of other glass materials to melt and shape designs to create an array of functional and decorative pieces. Students will also explore reproducing items in glass from a found object through mold-making and casting. Young artists are encouraged to bring their own ideas and creativity to their projects to make them their own.

This program is designed with youth in mind. The course focuses on safety, confidence building with materials, and teaching foundational glassmaking skills to young artists. Sessions and content will vary and be adapted to students' interests and skills. This program can be and is often taken more than once. We encourage our students from Mixed and Mashed Up to level up to this program, but no previous experience is required.

Students who participate in SiO2 Fusing and Casting are invited to participate in a celebration and exhibition at the end of the semester and are also invited to show their work in a rotating display on Pittsburgh Glass Center's third floor.

PGC is committed to facilitating access for all young people. We offer full- and half-tuition scholarships for middle school and high school students based on application strength. No previous glass or art experience is required. Our only prerequisites are enthusiasm, curiosity, and an eagerness to learn.

APPLY NOW for a youth scholarship at this link.

Create a meaningful and decorative fused glass mezuzah in this introductory fused glass workshop. Under the guidance of a skilled instructor, you’ll learn to cut and layer sheet glass, frit (colored glass granules), and stringers (thin colored glass rods) to design a one-of-a-kind piece that reflects your personal style. Whether you choose an abstract pattern, symbolic imagery, or a colorful landscape-inspired design, your finished mezuzah will bring handmade beauty and a touch of luminous color to your doorway. Once your design is complete, we’ll fire it in the kiln to fuse everything together into a durable and functional work of glass art.

Please note: scrolls and mounting hardware are not provided.

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

PGC 123 Discover the art of printmaking with glass. In this introductory workshop, you’ll use cold shop etching tools to engrave your own glass plate and create a unique design. Once your plate is complete, you’ll bring your artwork to life with ink, transferring your design onto paper.

 

At the end of the workshop, you’ll leave with both your engraved glass plate and your printed work, ready to display, gift, or admire.

 

 

 

PGC 202

Stir in style. In this introductory workshop, make elegant, colorful swizzle sticks for your drinks, houseplants, or garden décor using a 3,000°F torch. Guided by a skilled instructor, learn torch basics and explore decorative techniques to make a functional or decorative glass set. Fun to make, beautiful to use, and perfect to keep or gift.

 

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