Glass Studios - Pittsburgh Glass Center
Source: https://www.pittsburghglasscenter.org/glass-studios
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:18
Glass Studios - Pittsburgh Glass Center
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Glass Studios
Glass Studios
Pittsburgh Glass Center (PGC) is internationally recognized as one of the premier glass facilities in the United States. Explore the details of our studios, including available equipment and space, as well as the procedures for studio rentals.
Rental Reservation
Due to increased demand, our studios have limited availability, so it’s essential to email us in advance to reserve studio space. PGC does not accept walk-in rental bookings; all rentals must be reserved in advance. Renters must have received clearance from the appropriate PGC staff member to use the requested rental studio independently. Rental requests may be submitted up to 24 hours prior to the requested time, with the understanding that requests are not monitored 24/7. A rental session is not secured until confirmation is received from PGC.
When submitting rental requests, please specify:
The studio you would like to rent
The date and duration of your session
Additional equipment required.
A valid credit card must be on file before submitting a rental request for payment processing.
To schedule a rental, please email us at
rental@pittsburghglasscenter.org
.
Cancellation Policy
Rental reservations can be canceled without penalty if notice is provided to PGC at least 24 hours before the scheduled session. No-shows and cancellations made within 24 hours of the rental session will incur a $25 fee.
Educational Hot Shop
Charity Randall Foundation Flame Shop
The Hodge Kiln Shop
Mat Monroe Cold Shop
Heather McElwee and Chris Clarke Professional Hot Shop
Hot Shop Activities
With the help of an instructor, participants will learn how to transform 2,000°F molten glass into a unique glass artwork. Sculpted items will be manipulated and shaped with various metal hand tools. Blown items will be inflated via a flexible tube attached to a blow pipe. The Hot Shop, as the name might suggest, can get warm at times, particularly during summer months. That being said, the activity will only take about 10-15 minutes per person so you won’t be warm for long. We encourage our guests to wear lighter, natural material clothing for safety and comfort. Visitors are welcome to bring water bottles and a water fountain/filling station is available. These activities will involves sitting, standing, and walking around. Suitable for ages 5 and up.
Kiln Shop Fusing Activities
Combine brilliantly colored pieces of glass granules and thin glass strands to create a one-of-a-kind luminous fused glass artwork. Once you design it, we’ll fire it, so that all pieces become one. Participants will work seated in our climate-controlled Classroom and with room temperature pieces of glass. You will begin with a glass tile that acts as your “canvas,” then arrange the colorful glass granules and thin glass strands into a design of your choosing. Once the designs are complete, suncatchers are placed in a kiln overnight to melt (fuse) together forever. Suitable for ages 5 and up.
Flame Shop Activities
With the help of an instructor, participants will learn how to use tools and a tabletop torch to melt and manipulate glass rods and transform them into truly one-of-a-kind objects. These activities take place in our climate controlled Flame Shop, which involves working with a flame, but is not nearly as warm as our Hot Shop. Participants will be sitting at a workstation, making this option slightly more accessible and less physically demanding. Suitable for ages 8 and up.
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Skip to content
Glass Studios
Glass Studios
Pittsburgh Glass Center (PGC) is internationally recognized as one of the premier glass facilities in the United States. Explore the details of our studios, including available equipment and space, as well as the procedures for studio rentals.
Rental Reservation
Due to increased demand, our studios have limited availability, so it’s essential to email us in advance to reserve studio space. PGC does not accept walk-in rental bookings; all rentals must be reserved in advance. Renters must have received clearance from the appropriate PGC staff member to use the requested rental studio independently. Rental requests may be submitted up to 24 hours prior to the requested time, with the understanding that requests are not monitored 24/7. A rental session is not secured until confirmation is received from PGC.
When submitting rental requests, please specify:
The studio you would like to rent
The date and duration of your session
Additional equipment required.
A valid credit card must be on file before submitting a rental request for payment processing.
To schedule a rental, please email us at
rental@pittsburghglasscenter.org
.
Cancellation Policy
Rental reservations can be canceled without penalty if notice is provided to PGC at least 24 hours before the scheduled session. No-shows and cancellations made within 24 hours of the rental session will incur a $25 fee.
Educational Hot Shop
Charity Randall Foundation Flame Shop
The Hodge Kiln Shop
Mat Monroe Cold Shop
Heather McElwee and Chris Clarke Professional Hot Shop
Hot Shop Activities
With the help of an instructor, participants will learn how to transform 2,000°F molten glass into a unique glass artwork. Sculpted items will be manipulated and shaped with various metal hand tools. Blown items will be inflated via a flexible tube attached to a blow pipe. The Hot Shop, as the name might suggest, can get warm at times, particularly during summer months. That being said, the activity will only take about 10-15 minutes per person so you won’t be warm for long. We encourage our guests to wear lighter, natural material clothing for safety and comfort. Visitors are welcome to bring water bottles and a water fountain/filling station is available. These activities will involves sitting, standing, and walking around. Suitable for ages 5 and up.
Kiln Shop Fusing Activities
Combine brilliantly colored pieces of glass granules and thin glass strands to create a one-of-a-kind luminous fused glass artwork. Once you design it, we’ll fire it, so that all pieces become one. Participants will work seated in our climate-controlled Classroom and with room temperature pieces of glass. You will begin with a glass tile that acts as your “canvas,” then arrange the colorful glass granules and thin glass strands into a design of your choosing. Once the designs are complete, suncatchers are placed in a kiln overnight to melt (fuse) together forever. Suitable for ages 5 and up.
Flame Shop Activities
With the help of an instructor, participants will learn how to use tools and a tabletop torch to melt and manipulate glass rods and transform them into truly one-of-a-kind objects. These activities take place in our climate controlled Flame Shop, which involves working with a flame, but is not nearly as warm as our Hot Shop. Participants will be sitting at a workstation, making this option slightly more accessible and less physically demanding. Suitable for ages 8 and up.
ARTISTS
EDUCATORS
SHOP
JOIN & GIVE
DONATE NOW