We’re thrilled to officially kick off a year-long celebration of Pittsburgh Glass Center’s 25th anniversary, marking a quarter century of innovation, education, community partnership, and global artistic influence.
What began as a bold idea in the early 1990s has become one of the world’s most respected glass art institutions and a destination for artists, students, and visitors from around the world while helping to transform a Pittsburgh neighborhood and revive a historic regional craft.
A Vision Fueled by Fire
PGC was founded by artists Kathleen Mulcahy and the late Ron Desmett, who envisioned a public-access glass studio that would welcome everyone from the casually curious to world-renowned masters. Their dream became reality in 2001 with support from local foundations, community partners, and dedicated champions including the Block family and Randi and L. Van V. Dauler, Jr. Together, they created a one-of-a-kind facility that would revitalize Penn Avenue, build community, and elevate Pittsburgh as a major center for glass art.
“PGC was built on the belief that glass art should be accessible, collaborative, and inspiring,” said Heather McElwee, the Randi & L. Van V. Dauler, Jr. Executive Director. “Twenty-five years later, that mission is stronger than ever. We’re enormously proud of the community that has grown around these furnaces.”
A Unique Creative Engine for Pittsburgh
What sets Pittsburgh Glass Center apart is its dual identity: part visual art, part performance art. Plus, it’s a community cultural hub. It remains unlike anything else in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Each year, PGC educates nearly 75,000 people through classes, free demonstrations, exhibitions, school partnerships, artist residencies, and community events. Since opening, more than 750,000 individuals have engaged with PGC’s programs. The center has hosted hundreds of artists from around the world and inspired over 60 glass artists to relocate to Pittsburgh permanently, fueling the fastest-growing glass community in the U.S.
A Legacy Rooted in Pittsburgh’s Past and Future
Although now known globally as the Steel City, Pittsburgh was once “America’s Glass City.” Its glass factories, beginning in 1797, helped build the nation from tableware used by U.S. presidents to the tiles of New York’s tunnels and the headlamps of early Ford cars.
PGC honors this legacy while pushing it into the future. Its alumni and resident artists have sparked a resurgence of glassmaking across the region, opening studios and businesses in Pittsburgh neighborhoods including Braddock, Millvale, Larimer, Lawrenceville, the South Side, and the West End. Many of these artists got their start at PGC, and now contribute to its culture as teachers, collaborators, and innovators.
A Transparent Transformation: A New Era Begins
To meet skyrocketing demand, propelled even further by popular interest from shows like Netflix’s Blown Away, PGC completed a transformative $15 million expansion in 2024. The project added 11,000 square feet and nearly doubled the center’s capacity. Key highlights include:
- A colorful, new energy-efficient glass façade
- A second glassblowing studio for professional artists
- A large outdoor patio overlooking Penn Avenue
- Expanded flame, kiln, and cold shops
- A bright new retail boutique showcasing local and emerging artists
- New neon studio and fabrication lab with 3D printing and water-jet capabilities
- The renovation of Pittsburgh Glass Corner, a second building dedicated to emerging artists, community programming, and housing for apprentices and visiting artists.
- New permanent art installations by Sandra Bacchi, Stefan Hoffmann, Corey Pemberton, Ethan Samaha, and the Flourish glass bubble sculpture produced by Jason Forck made possible by community support further activate the expanded spaces.
A Global Influence with Local Impact
In the last 25 years, PGC counted:
- 782,591 visitors to Pittsburgh Glass Center
- 121,697 students in classes
- 255 artists-in-residence
- 66 technical apprentices
- Over 60 artists moved to Pittsburgh to live and make their art
- Artists and students have visited PGC from over 30 countries
- In the past 3 years (2023–2025) PGC paid over $2 million to artists.
The center’s growth directly supports Pittsburgh’s economy, attracts creative talent, and strengthens the cultural fabric of the East End.
25 Years: Still Glowing, Still Growing
As PGC enters its next chapter, our mission remains clear:
Glass Art: We teach it. We create it. We promote it. We support those who make it.
Its guiding principles—creativity, collaboration, sustainability, diversity, and excellence—continue to shape its vision for an inclusive, accessible, and globally connected glass community.
“PGC began as a dream to build community through creativity,” said McElwee. “Twenty-five years later, we’re not only still glowing, but we’re also growing. This expansion allows us to serve more people, support more artists, and carry Pittsburgh’s extraordinary glass legacy forward.”
Pittsburgh Glass Center’s 25th anniversary isn’t just a celebration of the past; it’s a launchpad for the next quarter century of innovation, education, and artistic excellence.
The Future Looks Bright
As PGC enters its next chapter, the focus is on innovation, inclusion, and global connection. New partnerships, expanded educational offerings, and ambitious programming will continue to position the center as a leader in the glass world.
“For us, this anniversary isn’t just about looking back. It’s about looking forward,” said Annabelle Javier, Board Chair of PGC. “The next 25 years will bring even more opportunities for artists, students, and the broader Pittsburgh community.”
To commemorate the anniversary, PGC will host a series of events kicking off in February 2026, including:
Hotter HOT Jams
The fire is getting hotter this year as PGC celebrates 25 years of creativity and inspiration on first Friday. Everyone is invited for free to watch artists transform molten glass into stunning works during live glassblowing demonstrations and explore new contemporary glass art exhibitions.
Glass Scavenger Hunts
Each month PGC will hide handcrafted glass objects around the city. Clues will be provided on social media that will lead glass treasure hunters to parks, landmarks, and unexpected corners of the city. Finders get to keep the glass as a one-of-a-kind anniversary keepsake, and are encouraged to share their discovery on social media to win an additional prize of a free hands-on activity at PGC.
Three New Glass Exhibitions:
Gathered Locally
(February 6 – April 12)
For 25 years Pittsburgh Glass Center has been growing a vibrant community of glass artists. Today that community includes hundreds of glass artists who have moved to Pittsburgh to live and make their art and those that have become passionate about glass by learning and teaching at PGC. Gathered Locally highlights nearly 100 of the glass artists who live and create in Pittsburgh.
Gathering Glass: A Fine Intoxication
(May 1 – July 31)
This exhibition documents the history and career of one of Pennsylvania’s preeminent glass artists and Pittsburgh Glass Center co-founder, Kathleen Mulcahy. The exhibition will include Mulcahy’s work from 2001 to the present. Works from Ron Desmett will also be included in the exhibition. Though Ron is deceased he was a significant partner in the development of Pittsburgh Glass Center.
Best of Art on Fire
(October 1, 2026 – January 18, 2027)
This exhibition will commemorate all of the honorary artists from the past Art on Fire events, PGC’s annual fundraiser.
Pop-up Exhibitions at Pittsburgh Glass Corner
PGC will show artwork by emerging artists in the newly renovated space at 5431 Penn Avenue, at the corner of North Graham Street and Penn Avenue, two blocks away from PGC.
Football Focused Activities
related to the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh in April.
Plus artist talks, new classes, partnerships, and more.
Twenty-five years ago, Pittsburgh Glass Center lit its first furnace. Today, it continues to burn brightly fueling creativity, connection, and the enduring spirit of making that defines Pittsburgh.
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