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. 

Transform molten glass into an awesome pumpkin you'll be proud to display all year long! Work with an instructor who will help you gather, add color, blow a bubble, and shape hot glass from the 2,100°F furnace into a handmade glass pumpkin complete with a beautiful curly glass stem.

Manipulate glass rods over a tabletop torch to create your own glass beads. In this introduction to the Flame Shop, learn the basic skills of heating rods of glass, applying glass to a mandrel, and shaping it with tools. Learn important decorative techniques, such as dots and trails to create beautiful beads you'll want to wear or share. You’ll make several different kinds of beads that you can take home.

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. 

Have some fun while learning all of 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.

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.

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.

Fast Track Flameworking is a great introduction to the Flame Shop. Work on a gas powered tabletop torch that can reach up to 3,000°F and sculpt glass on a small scale. Learn to melt and manipulate Borosilicate glass while learning the basics of heat, control, and safety of molten glass. In the afternoon, the instructor will demonstrate three different items that can include small sculptures, pendants, marbles, swizzle sticks, or bottle stoppers.

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 of four. Perfect to keep for yourself or give as a gift.

Cut and combine colored pieces of glass, frit (colored glass granules), and stringers (thin, colored glass rods) and create a festive fall glass pumpkin to display for the season!  Learn to cut and combine colored pieces of glass, frit (colored glass granules), and stringers (thin, colored glass rods) to create 3” x 5” fall pumpkins with faces for Halloween or leaves for the fall season. Once you design it, we’ll fire it with a hook for hanging, so that all pieces become one. 

Don’t put your special photo in a plain, store-bought frame. Make a customized frame using colorful stained glass and cabochons. In this 2-hour workshop, you will decorate a wooden photo frame base and choose from a wide selection of glass to bring your custom frame to life. Cabochons are optional but make a wonderful embellishment to any design. After you glue the pieces onto the frame, the instructor will have a grouting demonstration. Students will grout their frames at home using grout provided by the instructor.

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.

Sculpt a funky glass ghost or ghoul to enjoy as a pendant or magnet. Work closely with an instructor to learn how to melt and manipulate a solid glass rod into a molten ball over a table top torch. Swirl your chosen colors throughout the clear glass as you sculpt it into a seasonal creature. Create a wearable pendant or magnet (or both!) for yourself or a loved one.

Upcycle your glass bottles and jars and turn them into functional drinking glasses, vases, candle holders, or decorative pieces. Bring 2–4 bottles or jars. Then cut, grind, polish, sandblast, or engrave them into decorative and useful items for your home. To ensure you get the most of your time in the Cold Shop, please remove any paper labels from your glass before class.

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.

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. 

These special workshops are designed with teens in mind. Students get the opportunity to learn about the PGC studios with other teens.

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.

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.

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.

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+

Create a beautiful handmade glass pendant. Learn how to melt and manipulate a solid glass rod into a molten ball while adding bits of colorful glass called frit. Swirl your chosen colors throughout the clear glass as you shape your glass pendant. A safety talk and glass demonstration will be given at the beginning of the workshop as well as a number of different techniques for shaping.

Create a unique fused glass mezuzah using a variety of materials, including sheet glass, frit (colored glass granules), and stringers  (thin colorful glass rods). Whether the mezuzah you make depicts a scene or has a decorative pattern, it will look beautiful by your door. (Scrolls and mounting hardware are not provided).

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.

Personalize your own beer mug, wine goblet, or drinking glass in this 2-hour workshop. Work with an expert artist and use sandblasting, glass carving, etching, polishing, and dremeling techniques to create a unique drinking vessel. You bring your creativity. We provide the glasses.

Whether you have never touched flat glass or have your own kiln at home, all experience levels can gain knowledge from this class. Start with tool fundamentals, glass cutting, and basic fusing rules. As the day progresses, explore a variety of techniques and materials. Discussions will cover a wide range of information about kilnforming, mold materials, kiln theory, and firing schedules. You will leave this class with a variety of functional glass plates, bowls, and platters of your own creation, as well as a wealth of kilnforming knowledge. 

Class breaks for a 30 minute lunch. A microwave and refrigerator are available for students use. 

In this one-day workshop, use the torch to melt and combine glass rods to make pendants that appear to encapsulate little explosions of color. Detailed demonstrations will be given on the compression technique. Instructors will provide individualized troubleshooting so that you can form several captivating pieces. Learn to apply color, make loops, and manipulate the glass to take whatever shape you desire.

NEW! Transform sheets of glass into decorative and one-of-a-kind glass coasters. Learn to cut sheet glass into smaller geometric shapes and use these pieces along with colored glass granules (frit) and thin glass strands (stringers) to create unique and usable pieces of your own design. Once you design it, we’ll fire it in the kiln, so that all pieces become one and turn them into a set of functional coasters for your home or to give as a gift. 

NEW! Get started in stained glass. Learn the basics as you create a beautiful ornament or suncatcher to display all year. You'll use pre-cut and beveled edge glass and work with traditional stained glass lead came and solder to adhere your piece.

NEW! Have twice as much fun in this unique Flame Shop sampler. You’ll create a set of 4 handmade glass swizzle sticks to stir up your favorite drink and a bottle stopper to keep your drinks fresh. Learn how to control, manipulate, and add color to rods of glass while shaping your drink set over a tabletop torch, all under the guidance of an instructor. Use your glass creations while entertaining or give them as fun gifts.

NEW! In this 10-week class, you'll learn how to cut, grind, foil, and solder colorful glass into a stained glass panel ready for display. Studens choose from provided patterns and learn how to create a panel from start to finish using the famous Tiffany method of construction. Grades 9 - 12

Class does not meet on 11/23.

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 pumpkin you'll be proud to display all year long. Choose your favorite colors and try glassblowing to expand the molten material with your breath.

$45/person Ages 5+

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.

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 pumpkin you'll be proud to display all year long. Choose your favorite colors and try glassblowing to expand the molten material with your breath.

$45/person Ages 5+

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.

Make your own sandblasted glass ghost suncatcher and take it home the same night. In this introductory experience, you will design a unique glass ghost using stickers and tape. Once you design it, work with local artists to create a frosted look using our industrial sandblaster. No heating or cooling required. This is one Make-It-Now activity you get to take home with you the same night you make it.

$25/person ages 5+

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 pumpkin you'll be proud to display all year long. Choose your favorite colors and try glassblowing to expand the molten material with your breath.

$45/person Ages 5+

Create a festive fall glass pumpkin to display for the season. In this introductory experience, you'll combine colorful pieces of glass granules (frit) and thin glass rods (stringers) to create a decorative glass pumpkin ornament with faces for Halloween or leaves for the fall season. Once you design it, we’ll fire it in a kiln with a hook for hanging, so that all pieces become one. Walk-ins are welcome on a first come, first served basis.

Register ahead to guarantee your time.

$35/person. Ages 5+

Create a creepy, cool glass ghost magnet or wearable pendant. In this introductory experience, work alongside a local artist to heat up rods of glass over a tabletop torch in the Flame Shop. Sculpt the molten glass and design a face to create your unique a unique festive piece.

$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 transform molten glass into a colorful blown pumpkin you'll be proud to display all year long. Choose your favorite colors and try glassblowing to expand the molten material with your breath.

$45/person Ages 5+

Create a festive fall glass pumpkin to display for the season. In this introductory experience, you'll combine colorful pieces of glass granules (frit) and thin glass rods (stringers) to create a decorative glass pumpkin ornament with faces for Halloween or leaves for the fall season. Once you design it, we’ll fire it in a kiln with a hook for hanging, so that all pieces become one. Walk-ins are welcome on a first come, first served basis.

Register ahead to guarantee your time.

$35/person. Ages 5+

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

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 beautiful and unique glass plate to serve your favorite crackers and cheese all year round.

Join us for a private Make-It-Now evening of glass. 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 registered "seat" is for one couple.

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.

NEW! Get started in stained glass. Learn the basics as you create a beautiful ornament or suncatcher to display all year. You'll use pre-cut and beveled edge glass and work with traditional stained glass lead came and solder to adhere your piece.

New! Sign up for sandblasting sessions to personalize a piece of glass that you have or made in another workshop. If you made a cup at one of our Gather and Brew events or a blown glass ornament previously, customize it with your own message or design. Use stickers, decals, and tape to layout the design. Then work with our artists and an industrial sandblaster to bring your custom design to fruition. You can also bring an item from home to customize. Limit 2 glass items per person per time period.

$25/person Ages 5+

In honor of Veterans Day, make a glass suncatcher for FREE and enjoy glassblowing demonstrations at Pittsburgh Glass Center.

Free glassblowing and flameworking demonstrations (12:00 - 4:00) are open to all. Veterans with ID and up to 2 guests can make a suncatcher for free from 11:00 - 4:00pm. Pre-registration is requested for the suncatcher activity. Veterans may pre-register with up to 2 guests for free (total of 3 seats).

Please present your Veteran ID or Active Military ID when you check in.

Additional suncatcher activity registrations may be purchased for $25 by calling 412-365-2145.

Make your own frosted glass ornament and take it home the same night. In this introductory experience, you will design a unique glass ornament using stickers and tape. Once you design it, work with local artists to create a frosted look using our industrial sandblaster. No heating or cooling required. This is one Make-It-Now activity you get to take home with you the same night you make it. 

$25/person ages 5+

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 workshops. 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+

In this fun holiday event, 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 of your own design. Once you design it, we’ll fire it in the kiln, so that all pieces become one.

$35/person Ages 5 +

Create a 3D illuminated glass box that looks like a wrapped gift. Using pre-cut class, learn how to assemble stained glass in the Tiffany style method to create a unique 3D piece. Then get a lesson on how to tie the perfect bow to adorn your creation. These make a great holiday decoration and are so adorable you may choose to leave them out year-round.

Make your own frosted glass ornament and take it home the same night. In this introductory experience, you will design a unique glass ornament using stickers and tape. Once you design it, work with local artists to create a frosted look using our industrial sandblaster. No heating or cooling required. This is one Make-It-Now activity you get to take home with you the same night you make it. 

$25/person ages 5+

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 workshops. 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+

In this fun holiday event, 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 of your own design. Once you design it, we’ll fire it in the kiln, so that all pieces become one.

$35/person Ages 5 +

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

$45/person Ages 5 +

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+

In this fun holiday event, 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 of your own design. Once you design it, we’ll fire it in the kiln, so that all pieces become one.

$35/person Ages 5 +

Feel the heat of the furnace in one of our hottest introductory workshops. 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+

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

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 beautiful and unique glass plate to serve your favorite crackers and cheese all year round.

Join us for a private Make-It-Now evening of glass. 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 registered "seat" is for one couple.

New! Sign up for sandblasting sessions to personalize a piece of glass that you have or made in another workshop. If you made a cup at one of our Gather and Brew events or a blown glass ornament previously, customize it with your own message or design. Use stickers, decals, and tape to layout the design. Then work with our artists and an industrial sandblaster to bring your custom design to fruition. You can also bring an item from home to customize. Limit 2 glass items per person per time period.

$25/person Ages 5+