Instructor Biographies:

Ed Kirshner

Ed studied architecture and sculpture at Cornell University, the University of California, Berkeley, and the Oskar Kokoschka School in Austria. 

He studied glass art at the California College of the Arts in Oakland, as well as at Pilchuck Glass School, The Studio of The Corning Museum of Glass, and North Lands Creative Glass in Scotland. His glass and plasma sculptures have been exhibited throughout the world. His work is represented in the Corning Museum's 25 Years of New Glass Review. A piece blown by Mitch LaPlante with plasma work by Ed Kirshner has been selected by the Corning Museum of Glass and published in New Glass Review, 2018 as an important recent acquisition by the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass. Ed’s sculptures are also in such permanent collections as the diRosa Fine Arts Preserve in Napa, CA and the Swiss National Science Center, near Zurich. 

Website: https://www.aurorasculpture.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aurorasculpture/

 

Percy Echols II is a Pittsburgh-based Plasma artist and technician. He is behind the most extensive podcast and online educational resource on plasma and neon design- Taming Lightning. Percy’s work at PGC and beyond as well as his dedication to this relatively novel craft is propelling him to be a leader in the field of plasma light art. Echols’ efforts at PGC have put the studio on the map of neon and plasma makers worldwide as one of the few hot glass studios in the country with a plasma-focused neon setup.

Website: http://www.percyechols.com/

Instagram: glass.percy

 

Plasma Sculpture Using Glass Solder with Ed Kirshner and Percy Echols II
When: , Jul 18 - Jul 22
Time: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Dates:
Tuition $900.00
Instructor: Ed Kirshner

Go beyond neon. Learn the magic of sculpture with light in glass forms using gas plasma. Capture the Aurora Borealis in a bottle!

This class is for anyone who would like to create glass sculpture with dynamic light using a uniquely developed glass solder. Experience with neon, plasma or glass is not required but is highly recommended. The focus of the class is on the creation of suitable containers from existing ""soft"" glass objects. A uniquely developed glass solder will be demonstrated that enables even a beginner to create glass with plasma light sculptures. This glass solder allows the use of utilitarian manufactured glass items as well as assembly of studio blown, cast, and slumped glass shapes to serve as vessels for the plasma. Fused together, basic forms can be transformed into transcendent and mesmerizing glass with dynamic light sculptures.

Individual projects will be tailored to your skill level. Scientists or engineers with little to no glass experience are encouraged to experiment with plasma art in this class.

The class will serve to help enhance your experience using gas plasma light in your glass art. You will learn to prepare the glass forms for the solder, how to kiln fire them, how to create dynamic plasma effects using modified neon manifold, and the special electronics involved in plasma sculpture.

1 of 8 seats available.
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