Classes

Have a sweet tooth? Hop on a torch and create your own glass jaw breakers. Learn to sculpt small molten balls of glass into colorful hard candies like licorice twists, jolly ranchers, fire balls, peppermints, and more.  Want to make your own dish to display your candies? Check out our workshops in the Kiln Shop. 

Serve your favorite crackers and cheese on your own handmade glass charcuterie plate. Learn the basics of fusing glass including how to cut sheet glass and add color and design with frit and stringers to decorate and make a unique 8"x 8" glass board that you'll want to use for years to come. Charcuterie not included. 

Transform sheets of glass into a functional and beautiful handmade glass dish. Learn to cut sheet glass into smaller geometric shapes and use these pieces, along with frit (colored glass granules) and stringers (thin, colored glass rods), to design and decorate your design. After you create it, we fire it to fuse it all together and shape into a mold, turning it into a functional dish perfect for holding spare change, serving small snacks, storing jewelry, or is beautiful enough to just use for display.

MOLTN is a unique workshop designed specifically for teens to learn about glass art in multiple studios at Pittsburgh Glass Center. Teens have the opportunity to work closely with glass artists in the Hot Shop, Kiln Shop, and in the Flame Shop to explore making glass art through a variety of techniques and come away with some unique glass creations. Students work with molten glass out of the a 2,100°F furnace in the Hot Shop, manipulate solid glass rods on a 3,000°F torch in the Flame Shop, and prepare glass to be fired and fused together in kilns up to 1,700°F in the Kiln Shop. No experience necessary.

This workshop is designed for students in grades 6–12.

Want a more in depth glass experience for teens? Check out our afterschool SiO2 classes: Youth After School

Scholarship Application: APPLY ONLINE

Bring the crystalline beauty of icicles inside your home. First, learn to use the tabletop torch to melt Borosilicate rods of glass. Then twist and pull this molten glass to create your own one-of-a-kind flamecicles. Hang them in a window to catch the light, on a tree to create a festive atmosphere, or give them as a beautiful gift.

Didn’t finish your bottle? Use your own elegant, flameworked handmade glass bottle stopper. Learn how to control, manipulate, and add color to a rod of glass while shaping your own unique stopper over a tabletop torch. You make the glass and we add the stopper. Use this creative piece while entertaining and impress your friends. It also makes a lovely gift.

Stir things up with handmade glass swizzle sticks. Impress your friends and family by explaining how you melted glass rods over a tabletop torch to create the elegant swizzle stick that garnishes their iced tea or cocktail. A variety of available colors will allow you to design a swanky set.

Swizzle sticks aren’t just for drinks. Add these handmade sticks to your houseplants or outdoor garden as fun and quirky decoration.  

Perfect to keep for yourself or give as a gift.  

Make one-of-a-kind glass magnet keepsakes. Melt and manipulate a solid glass rod on a tabletop torch and add bits of colorful glass called frit. Learn to swirl your chosen colors throughout the clear glass as you shape and manipulate material into floral glass magnets.

Transform glass into a beautiful and practical handmade Hanukkiah you'll be proud to use and display.  Learn to cut and combine colored pieces of sheet glass, frit (colored glass granules), and stringers (thin colorful glass rods) to make your own design. You design and make it, we'll fire it and fuse it all together into a solid and practical work of glass art. 

Make your own colorful glass marbles using solid glass rods and a table top torch. This is a great introductory workshop to gain experience on the torch. Practice basic flameworking techniques and use a graphite molds to shape the glass to ensure symmetry. With the guidance of an artist, explore decorative techniques including twisties, dots, and trails to create one-of-a-kind marvelous marbles perfect for play or display.

Make a blown glass ornament to hang on the tree, give as a special holiday gift, or display all year long! Under the guidance of a hot shop instructor, you will select and add color to molten glass from the 2,100°F furnace. You'll try out glassblowing and expand the molten material with your breath to create a unique handmade blown glass ornament! This is a great workshop to sign up with family members or a group of friends and create a holiday memory in glass.

Each participant makes 2 ornaments in this workshop.

Design and make a glass ornament to hang on the tree, give as a special holiday gift, or display all year long!  Learn how to cut and combine brilliantly colored pieces of sheet glass, glass granules and thin glass strands to create luminous ornaments. Once you design it, we’ll fire it, so that all pieces become one. 

If you have always wanted to try glassblowing, this one-day workshop is for you. Hot Glass Blowout provides a full day of introduction and hands-on time with hot glass. You will learn how to gather, shape, and manipulate molten glass. You'll start with making a paperweight. Then learn other techniques and skills to make a variety of glass objects. Hot glass is addictive. Once you’ve started working in the Hot Shop, you may not want to leave.

Class time includes a 30-minute break for lunch. Lunch is not provided but we do have a refrigerator on site if needed.  

Have twice as much fun in this unique hot shop holiday sampler! Unlike our other workshops, you'll walk away with two different handmade glass items in this special sampler. Work with an instructor who helps you gather, pull, twist, and shape molten glass, then add color to create your own sculpted festive glass tree. Then, try glassblowing and make a handmade blown glass ornament. You'll choose and add color and expand a molten glass bubble with air into a unique and festive ornament, perfect to display at the holidays or all year round.

Each participant makes 1 blown glass ornament and 1 sculpted tree in this sampler workshop.

Learn the art of stained glass while creating your very own glass snowflake. Students will work with pre-cut glass, bevels and gems wrapping each component in metal to then join them together with molten solder. Use these dazzling snowflakes to decorate your home for the winter season or catch the light in your window all year round.

This workshop is designed for ages 14 +

Have some fun while learning all the steps of the stained glass process. You will choose from pre-determined patterns to create a decorative suncatcher or ornament that fits with the season. No experience is necessary but even those that have taken a stained glass class in the past will enjoy these seasonal creations for years to come.

This workshop is designed for ages 14+

Add a fancy twist and texture to your handmade glass ornament! Work with an instructor who will help you select and add color, blow a glass bubble and use a steel optic mold to add a unique patterned and raised texture to your hand made glass ornament. Great for anyone with an ornament collection or for those just beginning.

Each participant makes 2 textured ornaments in this workshop.

New! Transform a blown glass pumpkin premade by our glass artists into a unique decorative piece of your own. In this introductory workshop, you’ll receive two clear glass pumpkins, the help of an expert artist, and access to the industrial sandblaster to create unique designs, faces, names, or other details. No heating or cooling is required. Take your two customized pumpkins home with you the same day you make them. One pumpkin will have an opening in the bottom and with the help of some fairy lights (not included) can transform into a magical glass luminary. Perfect for the season.

NEW! Make a set of 2 unique blown glass ornaments to hang on the tree, give as a special holiday gift, or display all year. Under the guidance of an instructor, you will select and add color to molten glass from the 2,100°F furnace. You'll try glassblowing and expand the molten material with your breath to create one round blown glass ornament and use tools to create a second flattened blown glass ornament. This is a great workshop for family members or a group of friends.

Each participant makes a set of 2 ornaments (1 round and one flat) in this workshop.

Create beautiful glass flowers to add to any plant, vase, or garden. Using borosilicate glass rods, learn to melt, manipulate, add color, and shape up to 3 flowers over a tabletop torch. Watch demonstrations to learn multiple ways to shape a flower, or imagine your own. Choose to add a 6” clear glass rod for standing in a potted plant or create loops to wear as pendants.

Explore the possibilities of printmaking with glass. Learn how to use glass etching tools in the cold shop to design your own printed artwork.  After engraving your glass plate, you'll use ink to make your design come to life on paper. Take home both your glass plate and your printed works in the same day. 

In this new 2-hour stained glass workshop, you’ll create a festive colorful string of lights. Learn how to cut glass, build stained glass sculptures with the copper foil method, and solder it together to create two-dimensional glass twinkle lights. String the beautiful bulbs together for the perfect decor or add them to the top of your presents as an extra gift.

Have twice as much fun in this hot shop winter sampler. Unlike our other workshops, you'll walk away with two different handmade glass items. Work with an instructor who helps you gather and shape molten glass, then add color to create your own sculpted snowperson. Then, try glassblowing and make a handmade blown glass bauble. You'll add color of your choice and expand a molten glass bubble with air creating a unique bauble, perfect to display throughout the winter or all year round. Each participant makes 1 blown glass bauble and 1 sculpted snowperson in this sampler workshop.

TEENS ONLY workshops are designed for young people. Students get the opportunity to learn about the PGC studios with other teens. Sign up as an individual and meet other teens interested in glass or bring a friend to share in the experience. If you are interested in a more in-depth experience, check out our afterschool SiO2 classes, full day MOLTN workshop, or summer boot camp.

Have twice as much fun in this hot shop winter sampler. Unlike our other workshops, you'll walk away with two different handmade glass items. Work with an instructor who helps you gather and shape molten glass, then add color to create your own sculpted snowperson. Then, try glassblowing and make a handmade blown glass bauble. You'll add the color of your choice and expand a molten glass bubble with air creating a unique bauble, perfect to display throughout the winter or all year round.

Each participant makes 1 blown glass bauble and 1 sculpted snowperson in this sampler workshop.

In this new 4-hour stained glass workshop, you'll harness the structural power of glass and solder to create a  three-dimensional winter tree decoration. Learn how to cut glass, use the copper foiling method, follow a 3-D pattern, and solder it together to create a stained glass sculpture. This table-top stained glass decoration is the perfect addition to your seasonal decor.

In this new 4-hour workshop, you will create a two-dimensional stained glass holiday or winter decoration. Learn how to cut glass, use the copper foiling method, follow a pattern, and solder it together to create your own unique two-dimensional winter tree. This stained glass decoration is the perfect addition to your seasonal decor.

Cozy up with some glass in the cold shop for date night. Work together with your date to design a set of unique glass ornaments. You’ll use tape, stickers, and your imagination to create a personalized set. Once you design it, work with our artists to create a frosted look using our industrial sandblaster. This unique date night experience allows each couple to work together in one of our studios and create one work of glass art together. Because it takes teamwork to sculpt, blow, or fuse glass, this is definitely a compatibility test. After your hands-on studio time, we’ll provide small bites and wine or beer. Glassblowing and flameworking demonstrations will take place throughout the night.

$45/couple Ages 21+. Each "seat" registered is for one couple.

Event, demonstrations, and refreshments end at 9:00PM. If you register for a later glassmaking slot, we suggest arriving early to enjoy all this event has to offer.

Feel the heat of the furnace in one of the hottest date nights. Get close to your date in the Hot Shop and work together with a local artist to transform molten glass into a blown ornament. Choose your favorite colors and try glassblowing to expand the molten material with your breath. This unique date night experience allows each couple to work together in one of our studios and create one work of glass art together. Because it takes teamwork to sculpt, blow, or fuse glass, this is definitely a compatibility test. After your hands-on studio time, we'll provide small bites and wine or beer. Glassblowing and flameworking demonstrations will take place throughout the night. Each "seat" registered is for one couple.

Ages 21+. $95/couple

Event, demonstrations, and refreshments end at 9:00PM. If you register for a later glassmaking slot, we suggest arriving early to enjoy all this event has to offer.

Cozy up with some glass in the kiln shop for date night. Work together with your date to transform sheets, granules, and small rods of glass into one unique glass plate that you can use to serve your favorite crackers and cheese.

This unique date night experience allows each couple to work together in one of our studios and create one work of glass art together. Because it takes teamwork to sculpt, blow, or fuse glass, this is definitely a compatibility test. After your hands-on studio time, we’ll provide small bites and wine or beer. Glassblowing and flameworking demonstrations will take place throughout the night.

$95/couple Ages 21+

Each "seat" of registration is for one couple. 

Event, demonstrations, and refreshments end at 9:00PM.  If you register for a later glassmaking slot, we suggest arriving early to enjoy all this event has to offer.

Warm up for winter in this all-day intensive beginner flameworking course. Explore sculpting with glass rods in a 3,000-degree flame and create multiple sculptures and ornaments like flamecicles and snowpeople. Additional time may be allotted to see other wintery items on request. Instruction will cover safety, torch operation and variety of solid sculpting techniques.

Class time includes a 30-minute break for lunch. Lunch is not provided but we do have a refrigerator on site if needed.

Make your own distinctive glass goblet in this unique two-day multi-studio workshop. On the first night, work with instructors in the Hot Shop to gather, color, and shape molten glass from the 2,100°F furnace into your goblet’s foot and stem. On the second night, work with instructors in the Cold Shop to etch and sandblast a pre-made top in a way that makes your vessel truly unique. Then, learn to cut, glue, and assemble your pieces so that they become an amazing and functional goblet.

Bring the crystalline beauty of icicles inside your home with this unique flameworked ornament. In this introductory experience, work alongside a local artist to heat up rods of glass over a tabletop torch in the flame shop. Twist, pull, and sculpt the molten glass into a one-of-a-kind flamecicle. Hang them in a window to catch the light, on a tree to create a festive atmosphere, or give them as a beautiful gift.

$30/person

Ages 8+

Feel the heat of the furnace in one of our hottest introductory experiences. In the hot shop, you'll work with a local artist to make your very own blown glass ornament. Choose your favorite colors and try glassblowing to expand the molten material with your breath.

$45/person

Ages 5+

Bring some warmth and light to the longest night at Pittsburgh Glass Center. Join us for hot glassblowing demonstrations, candle lit activities, and fireside snacking.

Make a Glistening Etched Glass Suncatcher

Capture the beauty of the winter season with glistening glass. In the cold shop, use a lathe and traditional cutting and engraving techniques to cut a star or snowflake design into glass to create a magical etched ornament.

Have your cards read to what the new year might have in store for you and create a custom herb blend for bathing or burning to help you get rid of the old and bring in the new with Arts & Crafts: Botanica & Occult Shop.  Participate in an intention ritual by writing down your intentions for the upcoming season and burn them away with the help of our hot glass artists. 

Ages 14+

$35/person

Event, demonstrations, and refreshments end at 4:00PM. If you register for a later glassmaking slot, we suggest arriving early to enjoy all this event has to offer.

Bring some warmth and light to the longest night at Pittsburgh Glass Center. Join us for hot glassblowing demonstrations, candle lit activities, and fireside snacking.

Make A Blown Glass Bauble

Feel the heat of the furnace in one of our hottest introductory experiences. In the hot shop, you'll work with a local artist to transform molten glass into a colorful blown bauble you'll be proud to display all year long. Choose your favorite colors and try glassblowing to expand the molten material with your breath.

Have your cards read to what the new year might have in store for you and create a custom herb blend for bathing or burning to help you get rid of the old and bring in the new with Arts & Crafts: Botanica & Occult Shop.  Participate in an intention ritual by writing down your intentions for the upcoming season and burn them away with the help of our hot glass artists. 

Ages 5+ $55/person

Bring some warmth and light to the longest night at Pittsburgh Glass Center. Join us for hot glassblowing demonstrations, candle lit activities, and fireside snacking.

Make a Luminous Fused Glass Suncatcher or Ornament

Transform sheet glass into a luminous and decorative ornament. In this introductory experience, you'll combine colorful glass granules (frit) and thin glass strands (stringers) to create a unique glass ornament. Once you design it, we’ll fire it in the kiln, so that all pieces become one.

Have your cards read to what the new year might have in store for you and create a custom herb blend for bathing or burning to help you get rid of the old and bring in the new with Arts & Crafts: Botanica & Occult Shop.  Participate in an intention ritual by writing down your intentions for the upcoming season and burn them away with the help of our hot glass artists. 

$45/person ages 5+

A new registration experience is coming soon! 

To browse and register for Introductory Workshops scheduled in January 2026 and beyond, please visit our new registration site: https://www.pittsburghglasscenter.org/classes-2026/.  

If you have a current membership and would like to receive your 10% discount on a multiweek or workshop registration, please contact our Visitor Services Staff at 412-365-2145 or glassinfo@pittsburghglasscenter.org.

A new registration experience is coming soon! 

To browse and register for Introductory Workshops scheduled in January 2026 and beyond, please visit our new registration site: https://www.pittsburghglasscenter.org/classes-2026/.  

If you have a current membership and would like to receive your 10% discount on a multiweek or workshop registration, please contact our Visitor Services Staff at 412-365-2145 or glassinfo@pittsburghglasscenter.org.

A new registration experience is coming soon! 

To browse and register for Summer Intensive Classes scheduled in January 2026 and beyond, please visit our new registration site: https://www.pittsburghglasscenter.org/classes-2026/.  Select Class Length - "5-day Intensive Class" or "11-day Intensive Class" to find the options!