Gathered Locally 2026 - Pittsburgh Glass Center
Source: https://www.pittsburghglasscenter.org/gathered26
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:14
Gathered Locally 2026 - Pittsburgh Glass Center
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Gathered Locally 2026
Gathered Locally 2026
Gathered Locally 2026
February 6 – April 12, 2026 / Free opening reception Feb. 6, 6–9pm
For 25 years, Pittsburgh Glass Center has cultivated a vibrant, inclusive community of glass artists—professionals, students, and first-time makers alike. That community now includes 60 of whom have relocated to Pittsburgh to make their work at PGC, as well as countless others who discovered glass through its classes, workshops, and educational programs.
Gathered Locally
celebrates this creative ecosystem by bringing together the work of nearly 100 local artists whose practices reflect the diversity, innovation, and collaborative spirit that define PGC.
When I moved to Pittsburgh in 2017, PGC changed everything for me. It was the first place where I really felt at home. I came in curious and unsure, discovered glass, and found a new direction for my work. The generosity, openness, and support here made all the difference. PGC is the kind of organization that gives you wings if you want to fly high, and I honestly can’t imagine my life in Pittsburgh without it.
Sandra Bacchi
The first time I made a flower it cracked in my hand, the second time it fell apart in the kiln, and I will always remember how it felt the third time opening the kiln to find a completely intact glass flower! PGC has taught me that persistence pays off and that every crack is an opportunity to learn something new.
Samantha Chan
As a young person, it can be hard to be taken seriously in the art world; people often just see a kid. But that has never been my experience at PGC.
The staff and instructors have always treated me with respect and genuine encouragement, allowing me to advance into classes beyond my age and welcoming me into intensives. Their showing sincere appreciation for my talent and passion for glass has been a huge part of my growth.
Caitlin Dolhi
I’ve spent the past nine years learning, teaching, and growing alongside—and because of—Pittsburgh Glass Center. This community has been central to my development as both an artist and educator. I hope to continue supporting the growth of neon and plasma in the arts, carrying forward the same spirit of curiosity and collaboration that PGC has always inspired in me.
Percy Echols II
What stayed with me most was the overwhelming support of the PGC community. People came together to help realize my vision, offering their time, skill, and encouragement without hesitation. Being surrounded by a community with such drive, talent, and generosity was deeply inspiring and affirmed the importance of collective effort in making ambitious work possible.
Jaime Guerrero
More than 20 years ago, my wife and I had just moved to Pennsylvania. I worried about finding a creative community and studio access. But PGC was everything I hoped for and more. My career has evolved since then, and there are times when I can’t be there for months at a time. Yet every time I return, it feels the same. A warm (or hot) welcome full of opportunities to make, connect, and share.
Adam Kenney
My experiences at Pittsburgh Glass Center have been positive and welcoming from the start. PGC is a place where people genuinely want you to succeed—where experimentation is encouraged, questions are welcomed, and even the strangest ideas feel possible. It has shaped my practice, and just as importantly, how I understand community and collaboration.
Wade Kramm
PGC has filled me with so many memories and experiences and I have built so many mentorships and friendships, and a community where I feel welcomed and accepted and allows me to be myself. PGC also put people in my life that check up on me, teach me, and helped me become the best version of myself or start to become that person.
Ella Purcell
FEATURED ARTISTS
Lea Albaugh
Sylvia Altman
Stuart Anderson
Sandra Bacchi
Isaac Beachy and Laura Phillips
Jennifer Bechak
Ella Bradley
Dan Buchanan
Wesley Bull
Sam Campbell
Samantha Chan
Chris Clarke
Sarah Cohen
Mary Costello
Charlotte Coutu
Alexander Cubano
Daviea Davis
Lisa Demagall
Margot Dermody
Caitlin Dolhi
Ellie Durham-Britton
Darlene Durrwachter Rushing
Percy Echols II
matt eskuche
Megan Evangeliste
Haya Feig
Leo Fine
Jordan Fine
Jason Forck
Elizabeth Fortunato
Calli Friedman-Lindquist
Rebecca Gazda
Will Gazica
Bernadette Gerbe
Mike Gnad
Jaime Guerrero
Janet Hayes
William Haynes
Lyla Howat
Paul Johnson
Theresa Jorgensen
Alyssa Kail
Drew Kail
Claudia Kaiser
Leslie Kaplan
Adam Kenney
Silver Kim
Rocky Kindelberger
Armani Klette
Vickie Kolakowski
Lianna Kong
Wade Kramm
AK Kurtz
Zachary Layhew
Ryleigh Lee
Haley Lindberg
Michael Mangiafico
Julian Maturino
Nathan May
Ashley McFarland
Jenna McKinley
Deb McMullen
Roswell McNutt
Josh Messmer
Drue Miller
Kathleen Mulcahy
Alex Neal
Lyla Nelson
Jesse Newby
Alexandra Nisenoff
Steve Payne
Amy Fronduti Polcyn
SaraBeth Post Eskuche
Gillian Preston
Ella Purcell
Leana Quade
Jami Rickson
Dan Riesmeyer
Travis Rohrbaugh
Chris Ross
Olivia Ruth
Jennifer Saitz
Beyvan Schantz
Jeff Sherman
Rebecca Smith
Margaret Spacapan
Wes Speicher
Ann Steenkiste
Charles Stein
Jen Streeter
Rachael Strittmatter
Mary Tabasko
Barbara Toner
Robert Warden
Sam Whitney
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
Gathered Locally 2026
Gathered Locally 2026
Gathered Locally 2026
February 6 – April 12, 2026 / Free opening reception Feb. 6, 6–9pm
For 25 years, Pittsburgh Glass Center has cultivated a vibrant, inclusive community of glass artists—professionals, students, and first-time makers alike. That community now includes 60 of whom have relocated to Pittsburgh to make their work at PGC, as well as countless others who discovered glass through its classes, workshops, and educational programs.
Gathered Locally
celebrates this creative ecosystem by bringing together the work of nearly 100 local artists whose practices reflect the diversity, innovation, and collaborative spirit that define PGC.
When I moved to Pittsburgh in 2017, PGC changed everything for me. It was the first place where I really felt at home. I came in curious and unsure, discovered glass, and found a new direction for my work. The generosity, openness, and support here made all the difference. PGC is the kind of organization that gives you wings if you want to fly high, and I honestly can’t imagine my life in Pittsburgh without it.
Sandra Bacchi
The first time I made a flower it cracked in my hand, the second time it fell apart in the kiln, and I will always remember how it felt the third time opening the kiln to find a completely intact glass flower! PGC has taught me that persistence pays off and that every crack is an opportunity to learn something new.
Samantha Chan
As a young person, it can be hard to be taken seriously in the art world; people often just see a kid. But that has never been my experience at PGC.
The staff and instructors have always treated me with respect and genuine encouragement, allowing me to advance into classes beyond my age and welcoming me into intensives. Their showing sincere appreciation for my talent and passion for glass has been a huge part of my growth.
Caitlin Dolhi
I’ve spent the past nine years learning, teaching, and growing alongside—and because of—Pittsburgh Glass Center. This community has been central to my development as both an artist and educator. I hope to continue supporting the growth of neon and plasma in the arts, carrying forward the same spirit of curiosity and collaboration that PGC has always inspired in me.
Percy Echols II
What stayed with me most was the overwhelming support of the PGC community. People came together to help realize my vision, offering their time, skill, and encouragement without hesitation. Being surrounded by a community with such drive, talent, and generosity was deeply inspiring and affirmed the importance of collective effort in making ambitious work possible.
Jaime Guerrero
More than 20 years ago, my wife and I had just moved to Pennsylvania. I worried about finding a creative community and studio access. But PGC was everything I hoped for and more. My career has evolved since then, and there are times when I can’t be there for months at a time. Yet every time I return, it feels the same. A warm (or hot) welcome full of opportunities to make, connect, and share.
Adam Kenney
My experiences at Pittsburgh Glass Center have been positive and welcoming from the start. PGC is a place where people genuinely want you to succeed—where experimentation is encouraged, questions are welcomed, and even the strangest ideas feel possible. It has shaped my practice, and just as importantly, how I understand community and collaboration.
Wade Kramm
PGC has filled me with so many memories and experiences and I have built so many mentorships and friendships, and a community where I feel welcomed and accepted and allows me to be myself. PGC also put people in my life that check up on me, teach me, and helped me become the best version of myself or start to become that person.
Ella Purcell
FEATURED ARTISTS
Lea Albaugh
Sylvia Altman
Stuart Anderson
Sandra Bacchi
Isaac Beachy and Laura Phillips
Jennifer Bechak
Ella Bradley
Dan Buchanan
Wesley Bull
Sam Campbell
Samantha Chan
Chris Clarke
Sarah Cohen
Mary Costello
Charlotte Coutu
Alexander Cubano
Daviea Davis
Lisa Demagall
Margot Dermody
Caitlin Dolhi
Ellie Durham-Britton
Darlene Durrwachter Rushing
Percy Echols II
matt eskuche
Megan Evangeliste
Haya Feig
Leo Fine
Jordan Fine
Jason Forck
Elizabeth Fortunato
Calli Friedman-Lindquist
Rebecca Gazda
Will Gazica
Bernadette Gerbe
Mike Gnad
Jaime Guerrero
Janet Hayes
William Haynes
Lyla Howat
Paul Johnson
Theresa Jorgensen
Alyssa Kail
Drew Kail
Claudia Kaiser
Leslie Kaplan
Adam Kenney
Silver Kim
Rocky Kindelberger
Armani Klette
Vickie Kolakowski
Lianna Kong
Wade Kramm
AK Kurtz
Zachary Layhew
Ryleigh Lee
Haley Lindberg
Michael Mangiafico
Julian Maturino
Nathan May
Ashley McFarland
Jenna McKinley
Deb McMullen
Roswell McNutt
Josh Messmer
Drue Miller
Kathleen Mulcahy
Alex Neal
Lyla Nelson
Jesse Newby
Alexandra Nisenoff
Steve Payne
Amy Fronduti Polcyn
SaraBeth Post Eskuche
Gillian Preston
Ella Purcell
Leana Quade
Jami Rickson
Dan Riesmeyer
Travis Rohrbaugh
Chris Ross
Olivia Ruth
Jennifer Saitz
Beyvan Schantz
Jeff Sherman
Rebecca Smith
Margaret Spacapan
Wes Speicher
Ann Steenkiste
Charles Stein
Jen Streeter
Rachael Strittmatter
Mary Tabasko
Barbara Toner
Robert Warden
Sam Whitney
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