About Our Classes - Pittsburgh Glass Center
Source: https://www.pittsburghglasscenter.org/about-our-classes
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:11
About Our Classes - Pittsburgh Glass Center
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About Our Classes
About Our Classes
About Our Classes
One of our principal goals at Pittsburgh Glass Center is education. We teach others about the incredible beauty, versatility, and science of glass in order to foster appreciation of its many creative possibilities and advance the culture that has developed around it.
Explore our many educational options, which range from 15-minute Make-It-Now events—if you want just a taste of the glassmaking experience—to full 8-week courses and summer intensives—if you seek in-depth experience and specialized skills. Classes are taught by local and international glass artists who provide superior guidance and demonstrate safe and effective studio practice as you build your skills.
Unless otherwise stated, we welcome students at least 14 years of age or older to participate in our introductory 2-hour workshops and students 5 and older for our Make-It-Now events. An adult must accompany children under 14 years old.
Scholarships
Our studios are open to everyone who wants to learn and create. We offer a variety of scholarships in an effort to make our classes accessible to as many people as possible. Full-and half-tuition scholarships are available for all classes and workshops. Every student is eligible to apply for merit-based, half-tuition scholarships, while students of color and veterans are qualified to apply for full scholarships.
Learn more about our scholarships here
.
Explore Our Classes
Walk In + Make-It-Now
Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 1:00-5:00pm
August 29 – December 21
(
Subject to availability; slots are limited to 6 per hour)
Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday you can walk-in and try glassmaking without a reservation. In 20 minutes or less you’ll make a paperweight or a blown glass ornament with help from our artists for $55. No experience is required.
Adults and kids ages 5+ with adult supervision
are welcome to participate.
This is a quick opportunity to get a taste of the glassmaking experience with lots of assistance.
Get More Details
Make-It-Now + Date Night
Our Make-It-Now events offer you a quick opportunity to try glassmaking with the assistance of a local artist. Ages 5+ with an adult are welcome to participate unless otherwise noted. No experience is necessary. Frequently, we offer Make-It-Now date nights for couples to work together to make something in glass.
browse now
1-2 Session Workshops
Our introductory workshops are a great way to sample different processes and techniques. Experienced artists lead the workshops ranging from 2 hours to 2 days. Classes are small for individualized attention. Workshops are for students at least 14 years old. No experience required all materials are included.
browse now
Intensives
The top glass artists from all over the world come to Pittsburgh Glass Center to teach and share their knowledge and experience with students of all abilities. Our 1-week intensives are the best way to perfect your technique. You get 1x1 time with world-class instructors and over 12 hours a day in our state-of-the-art studios.
learn more
Multi-Week Classes
We offer 4 and 8 week classes for beginners to advanced students. Most classes meet in 3-hour sessions. You’ll see demonstrations of the skills you will be learning and practicing, followed by hands-on application. You’ll have the chance to perfect your skills and work one-on-one with your instructor. Classes are small so that you receive individualized attention and regular instructor interaction.
browse now
Youth Programs
SiO
2
is a glass art program designed for young people. The program’s hands-on courses are structured for young people and taught in one of the United States’ premier glass facilities. All of our studios are open for young people to explore their creative potential and embark on an education in glass. We typically offer 1-day workshops plus multi-week after-school programs and a summer camp.
learn more
Private Lessons
Private lessons involve customized instruction in any aspect of studio glass art in any of our studios. You receive focused attention from experienced instructors and learn at your own pace. Beginners benefit by learning basic techniques and build a strong foundation for working with glass. Experienced artists expand their skills by focusing on specific techniques. You design the program to fit your goals.
learn more
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
Skip to content
About Our Classes
About Our Classes
About Our Classes
One of our principal goals at Pittsburgh Glass Center is education. We teach others about the incredible beauty, versatility, and science of glass in order to foster appreciation of its many creative possibilities and advance the culture that has developed around it.
Explore our many educational options, which range from 15-minute Make-It-Now events—if you want just a taste of the glassmaking experience—to full 8-week courses and summer intensives—if you seek in-depth experience and specialized skills. Classes are taught by local and international glass artists who provide superior guidance and demonstrate safe and effective studio practice as you build your skills.
Unless otherwise stated, we welcome students at least 14 years of age or older to participate in our introductory 2-hour workshops and students 5 and older for our Make-It-Now events. An adult must accompany children under 14 years old.
Scholarships
Our studios are open to everyone who wants to learn and create. We offer a variety of scholarships in an effort to make our classes accessible to as many people as possible. Full-and half-tuition scholarships are available for all classes and workshops. Every student is eligible to apply for merit-based, half-tuition scholarships, while students of color and veterans are qualified to apply for full scholarships.
Learn more about our scholarships here
.
Explore Our Classes
Walk In + Make-It-Now
Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 1:00-5:00pm
August 29 – December 21
(
Subject to availability; slots are limited to 6 per hour)
Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday you can walk-in and try glassmaking without a reservation. In 20 minutes or less you’ll make a paperweight or a blown glass ornament with help from our artists for $55. No experience is required.
Adults and kids ages 5+ with adult supervision
are welcome to participate.
This is a quick opportunity to get a taste of the glassmaking experience with lots of assistance.
Get More Details
Make-It-Now + Date Night
Our Make-It-Now events offer you a quick opportunity to try glassmaking with the assistance of a local artist. Ages 5+ with an adult are welcome to participate unless otherwise noted. No experience is necessary. Frequently, we offer Make-It-Now date nights for couples to work together to make something in glass.
browse now
1-2 Session Workshops
Our introductory workshops are a great way to sample different processes and techniques. Experienced artists lead the workshops ranging from 2 hours to 2 days. Classes are small for individualized attention. Workshops are for students at least 14 years old. No experience required all materials are included.
browse now
Intensives
The top glass artists from all over the world come to Pittsburgh Glass Center to teach and share their knowledge and experience with students of all abilities. Our 1-week intensives are the best way to perfect your technique. You get 1x1 time with world-class instructors and over 12 hours a day in our state-of-the-art studios.
learn more
Multi-Week Classes
We offer 4 and 8 week classes for beginners to advanced students. Most classes meet in 3-hour sessions. You’ll see demonstrations of the skills you will be learning and practicing, followed by hands-on application. You’ll have the chance to perfect your skills and work one-on-one with your instructor. Classes are small so that you receive individualized attention and regular instructor interaction.
browse now
Youth Programs
SiO
2
is a glass art program designed for young people. The program’s hands-on courses are structured for young people and taught in one of the United States’ premier glass facilities. All of our studios are open for young people to explore their creative potential and embark on an education in glass. We typically offer 1-day workshops plus multi-week after-school programs and a summer camp.
learn more
Private Lessons
Private lessons involve customized instruction in any aspect of studio glass art in any of our studios. You receive focused attention from experienced instructors and learn at your own pace. Beginners benefit by learning basic techniques and build a strong foundation for working with glass. Experienced artists expand their skills by focusing on specific techniques. You design the program to fit your goals.
learn more
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