Beginner Classes & Workshops

We find that different personalities tend to be drawn to different studios. For example, the hot shop is fast-paced, spontaneous, and physical, while flameworking is slower-paced and tends to require a focus on detail and precision.

Which type are you?

As you get acquainted with our studios, you’ll probably find yourself drawn to a particular way of working with glass…or you might just fall in love with them all!

*Unless otherwise noted, you must be at least 14 years old to take a workshop or class.

2-hour Workshops

These workshops meet one time for 2 hours. This a great way to get a taste of glass making without a huge commitment.

Blown Glass Pumpkins

Real pumpkins come in all shapes and sizes. So do the ones you'll make in this class!
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Kilnformed Mosaic

Similar to stained glass without foiling or cold mosaics without the grout. Great for people who have tried fused glass tiles!
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Marvelous Marbles

Marbles are a fun and interesting way to get to know glass over the torch.
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Precious Pendants

Flamework your own precious pendant!
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Stained Glass

Learn the historical art of stained glass.
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Bodacious Beads

Learn the secrets of how beads are made at the torch in this introductory session.
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Fused Glass Tiles

If you're intrigued by how glass is fused into colorful flat glass patterns for coasters and other decorative objects, learn the basics.
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Paperweights at the Furnace

In this paperweight workshop you can learn how to shape and add color to molten glass to make a unique paperweight.
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Sculpted Fall Leaves

Make your own colorful fall leaf for display inside or out.
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NEW! Wine Stoppers

Top off that wine bottle with a hand made glass stopper.
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NEW! Ring Holders

Make your own ring holder
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Blown Glass Ornaments

Make your own blown glass ornament for the tree or as a special holiday gift.
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Flamecicles

Create glass icicles guaranteed not to melt!
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Holographic Imagery

Create a glass tile with sparkling imagery that appears to be a hologram.
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Inclusions

Add a little something extra to your glass by including metal and harnessing the power of the bubble
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Embossed Glasses

Try your hand at sandblasting, etching and engraving. Take home your own glass.
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NEW! Kilncarving

A simple way to create dimensional patterns in fused glass
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NEW! Fused Glass Jewelry

Create glass pendants and a multi link bracelet
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NEW! Fused Glass Ornaments

Create beautiful glass ornaments in the warm shop
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Sampler Series

For those interested in trying a little bit of everything.

XTREME Sampler

A great opportunity to flex your glass muscles by taking 10 2-hour workshops for an incredible discount!
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Hot-to-Cold Sampler (Mix and Match!)

New to glass and don't know where to start? Why not try a taste of each of our four studios — hot, warm, flame, and cold.
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Hot Shop Three-Pack (3 workshops)

If you’re intrigued by hot glass and want to experience several different hot techniques while making something cool to take home each week, this is the class for you.
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Fusing Three-Pack (3 workshops)

Have you always wanted to create your own designs in glass? Well, now you can. Just pick three warm 2-hour workshops and three dates and SAVE! 
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NEW! Flameworking Three-Pack (3 workshops)

This three pack allows you to choose three flameworking workshops to try it all.
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Ornament Three-Pack (3 workshops)

This fun filled class will allow you to create several items to display around your house for the holidays.
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Extended Workshops

Sometimes two hours just isn't enough, but a multi-week session is too long. If that is the case, then our extended workshops are for you.

SPECIAL!!! Text and Imagery in Kilnformed Glass

Susan Taylor Glasgow

Join Art on Fire 10 co-honorary artist Susan Taylor Glasgow for this one-day special workshop!
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Three in One Combo (1 day)

Try it all in one jam-packed day!
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Compression Pendants (1 day)

Entice the world with your very own one of a kind, handmade pendants.
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Recycled Green Glasses (1 day)

Turn keepsakes into cups!
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Hot Glass Blowout (1 day)

If you have been dying to blow glass, this one-day workshop is for you. What better way to use a lazy Saturday or Sunday than by spending a cool day in the hot shop?
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Fast Track Flameworking (1 day)

You will be amazed at what you can make at the torch – beads, marbles, chains and pendants to name a few.
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Fuze-a-polooza (1 day)

Come and learn the ancient, beautiful and fun art of fused and slumped glass.
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Make Your Own Goblet (2 nights)

In two nights, make your own unique goblet.
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Stained Glass (1 day)

Many houses in Pittsburgh have stained glass windows. Your home might too. Have you ever wondered – how did they do that?
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Glass Weaves (1 day)

Glass that looks like woven fabric! Loose, tight, warp, weft, - How do they do it? This workshop explores the basics of creating a fascinating woven effect.
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Special Collaborative Workshop

Local arts organizations joining together to present a collaborative workshop.

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Multiple Week (4-week)

PGC offers in-depth four-week classes for beginners who are ready to take the plunge into a longer class. Unless otherwise noted, classes meet for four weeks in three-hour sessions.

NEW! Intro to Coldworking

Learn all about the cold shop in 4 weeks!
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Bracelets

Design fused bracelets in this 4-week class.
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Multiple Week Classes (8-week)

PGC offers in-depth eight-week classes for beginners who are ready to take the plunge into a longer class. Unless otherwise noted, classes meet for eight weeks in three-hour sessions.

Beginning Lamp Making

Construct a 6-sided lamp using the Louis Comfort Tiffany copper foil technique.
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Copper Foil Stained Glass

Learn the copper foil technique developed by Louis Comfort Tiffany.
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Hot Glass I

This glassblowing class is appropriate for students with limited or no hot shop experience
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Imagery in Glass

Learn techniques in kilnformed glass and imagery such as working deep, painting with light and the photo resist process.
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NEW! Marble Madness

Losing your marbles? Find them again in this fun class that will have you mad for marbles.
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Pendant Passion

Learn a new pendant design each week!
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Introduction to Fusing and Slumping

Come and learn the ancient, beautiful, and fun art of fused and slumped glass.
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Beginner Beadmaking

If you're fascinated by baubles, bangles, and beads, this is the class for you.
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Flameworking 1—FUNdamentals

If you want to learn how to explore more variety in flameworking, this is a great combination class.
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Introduction to Kiln Casting

Learn to create sculptures and functional objects out of glass using molds and kiln casting techniques.
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Summer Intensive (one week)

One week intense class from 9am - 4pm every day. For more details click on the Summer Intensive section to the left.

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See for yourself how much fun glass can be.

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