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Where to Buy Glass Art
Summer Hours
(Now through Sept. 5)
Mon., Fri. & Sat.
10 am – 4 pm
Tues., Wed. & Thurs.
10 am – 7 pm
CLOSED Sunday
About Us
Pittsburgh Glass Center is a public access school, gallery and state-of-the-art glass studio dedicated to teaching, creating and promoting glass art. World-renowned glass artists come here to make studio glass art. People interested in learning more about glass come here to take a class, explore the contemporary glass gallery and watch live hot glass demonstrations. As one of the top glass art centers in the world, we pride ourselves on providing exceptional resources and instruction to expand the skills and knowledge of our students and artists. We strive to foster a new generation of glass artists and enthusiasts here in the Pittsburgh region.
Co-Founders: Kathleen Mulcahy & Ron Desmett
"When the arts thrive, the area and the region thrive. Art tells others who we really are, how we feel and what we think of ourselves. By allowing ourselves to be fully immersed in the joy of this experience our ideas awaken from sleep and define who we are again and what we want to communicate."
—Kathleen Mulcahy
Co-Founding Artists of the Pittsburgh Glass Center, Kathleen Mulcahy and Ron Desmett, shared a vision in the early 1990's—to create an innovative glass art center that would transform our city. They'd seen how the power of art drove economic revitalization in decaying neighborhoods in New York City and northern New Jersey. They wanted that for Pittsburgh.
As passionate glass artists working in Pittsburgh, Ron and Kathleen envisioned a place that would attract top artists but also welcome the novice artist and non-artists who would be intrigued by the conveyance of thoughtful works through a new medium.
With the help and support of the Urban Redevelopment Authority and William Block, a passionate art collector and businessman, their vision was realized in 2001 when the Pittsburgh Glass Center opened its doors to the public.
Today, it is one of the top glass art facilities in the United States helping the city connect to its creative future through the innovative use of glass as art.
Kathleen, originally from Newark, NJ, studied art receiving an MFA from Alfred University. Kathleen came to Pittsburgh to direct and build the Glass Program at Carnegie Mellon University '76-'89.
Ron, born in Clearfield, PA, came from Akron, Ohio to gain an MFA from Carnegie Mellon University where he studied with Ed Eberle, renowned Ceramic Artist and met Kathleen and their lifelong partnership began.
Good for the Environment
Pittsburgh Glass Center is a "Green Building" with state-of-the-art ventilation in all shops and heat recovery from the furnaces. Building elements such as garage doors, glass paneling and exposed brick are not only recycled elements, but also give PGC its unique urban/industrial edge. The building has been redesigned in accordance with federal Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards and received LEED Gold certification.
Good for the Community
Pittsburgh Glass Center is the largest arts organization on Penn Avenue in Pittsburgh's East End and is a cornerstone of the Penn Avenue Arts Initiative's redevelopment of an underutilized part of the city through the arts.
Pittsburgh Glass Center is an important arts organization in Pittsburgh that is helping the city connect its history as a major producer in glass to its creative future through the innovative use of glass as art.
Keeping the Vision in Balance
Board of Directors
Peter Mars (President)
Susan Zelicoff (Vice-President)
Roger Slayton (Secretary)
Oliver L. Poppenberg, Sr. (Treasurer)
| Anne Chen | Laurie S. Moser | |
| Randi Dauler | Sarah Nichols | |
| Tim Davis | Kathe Patrinos | |
| Samson J. McMahon | Pat Scanlon | |
| Erin Morris | Linda Taggart |
PGC Supporters
