Crafting the Future brought BIPOC glassmakers from all across the country together at Pittsburgh Glass Center to celebrate and empower one another, teach alongside each other, and share their passion for creativity.
In early 2025, glass artist Jaime Guerrero partnered with PGC and the Latino Community Center to launch a powerful initiative: free glassblowing classes for Latino youth in Pittsburgh. On the surface, it might sound like an art class. But for the students, it became so much more.
U.S. Army Sergeant and combat veteran Geoffrey R. Bowton to speak on his journey from soldier to artist and the transformative power of creativity in the face of adversity at Pittsburgh Glass Center, in conjunction with his exhibition, “Veteran Obsolete,” at Touchstone Center for Crafts.
PGC has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise $15,000 to complete Pittsburgh Glass Corner, a new gallery and residence for rising leaders in the glass art community. Donate to help PGC “turn a corner” on Penn Avenue!
A new permanent art installation by Sandra Bacchi, composed of 330 glass pieces fused with photographic decals, transforms these moments into a vivid story that bridges the past and present, commemorating the rich history of glassmaking in the Pittsburgh region and the community fostered by PGC since its opening in 2001.
Rediscover Pittsburgh Glass Center’s retail shop as the clear destination for colorful gifts this holiday season!
The Shop at PGC is a unique gift destination that showcases both aspiring and established glass artists, makers, and designers dedicated to creativity and excellence in handcrafted artistry. Upcoming holiday additions, including hand blown glass ornaments and trees, complement our year-long offerings and color the season.
Navy veteran Rocky Kindelberger has been teaching the art of stained glass and bringing smiles to our staff and students at PGC for 14 years.
Executive Director Heather McElwee among honorees in executive leadership positions who are going above and beyond to make a difference not only in their respective companies and organizations, but also across the region.
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Hot Shop ActivitiesWith the help of an instructor, participants will learn how to transform 2,000°F molten glass into a unique glass artwork. Sculpted items will be manipulated and shaped with various metal hand tools. Blown items will be inflated via a flexible tube attached to a blow pipe. The Hot Shop, as the name might suggest, can get warm at times, particularly during summer months. That being said, the activity will only take about 10-15 minutes per person so you won’t be warm for long. We encourage our guests to wear lighter, natural material clothing for safety and comfort. Visitors are welcome to bring water bottles and a water fountain/filling station is available. These activities will involves sitting, standing, and walking around. Suitable for ages 5 and up. |
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Kiln Shop Fusing ActivitiesCombine brilliantly colored pieces of glass granules and thin glass strands to create a one-of-a-kind luminous fused glass artwork. Once you design it, we’ll fire it, so that all pieces become one. Participants will work seated in our climate-controlled Classroom and with room temperature pieces of glass. You will begin with a glass tile that acts as your “canvas,” then arrange the colorful glass granules and thin glass strands into a design of your choosing. Once the designs are complete, suncatchers are placed in a kiln overnight to melt (fuse) together forever. Suitable for ages 5 and up. |
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Flame Shop ActivitiesWith the help of an instructor, participants will learn how to use tools and a tabletop torch to melt and manipulate glass rods and transform them into truly one-of-a-kind objects. These activities take place in our climate controlled Flame Shop, which involves working with a flame, but is not nearly as warm as our Hot Shop. Participants will be sitting at a workstation, making this option slightly more accessible and less physically demanding. Suitable for ages 8 and up. |
