Class Procedures and Policies
Please click on the topics listed below to get more details about our practices and policies.
PGC practices and policies, studio guidelines, and rental pricing are subject to change without notice.
Please email us or call our front desk at 412-365-2145 with any questions.
Pittsburgh Glass Center strives to provide a friendly and accommodating class experience for everyone. Participants and visitors to Pittsburgh Glass Center are expected to conduct themselves in ways that demonstrate respect for themselves, other students, instructors, and other PGC staff, studio spaces, and all materials at all times.
PGC does not tolerate disrespectful behavior, violence of any kind, or endangering the health and safety of other students or staff. This includes derogatory comments based on ability, age, gender, race, and sexual orientation, and sexually inappropriate comments, gestures, and behaviors.
Anyone found in violation of these guidelines will be deemed ineligible, may be asked to leave by staff, and will forfeit registration fees to Pittsburgh Glass Center.
Release of Liability Form must be completed and signed by students prior to participating in any studio activity.
By entering Pittsburgh Glass Center, you consent to your likeness and or voice being used, without compensation, in all media, in perpetuity, and you release Pittsburgh Glass Center, its successors, assigns, and licensees from liability pertaining to this usage. If you wish to be exempted from the foregoing, please email us.
2- OR 3-DAY INTENSIVE CLASSES
If a cancellation request is received:
Up to 30 days prior to class start date:
Student may drop the class and receive a refund minus a $50 cancellation fee.
OR
Student has the option to receive credit.
OR
Student may transfer into a new activity where space is available. Transferring credit into a new activity is limited to one time only.
Up to 1 week prior to the class start date:
No refund is available but student receives a credit on their account less a $125 cancellation/transfer fee.
OR
Student may transfer into a new activity if space is available, less a $125. cancellation/transfer fee. Transferring credit into a new activity is limited to one time only.
Less than 1 week prior to the class start date:
No refund, credit, or transfer is available.
SIO₂ TEEN BOOT CAMP POLICY
If a cancellation request is received:
Up to 30 days prior to class start date
Participants may drop the class and receive a refund, minus a $50 cancellation fee.
OR
Student has the option to receive credit.
OR
Student may transfer into a new activity where space is available. Transferring credit into a new activity is limited to one time only.
Up to 1 week prior to the class start date:
No refund is available but student receive a credit on their account less a $100 cancellation/transfer fee.
OR
Student may transfer into a new activity if space is available, less a $100 cancellation/transfer fee. Transferring credit into a new activity is limited to one time only.
Less than 1 week prior to the class start date:
No refund, credit, or transfer available.
ONE-WEEK INTENSIVE CLASSES
If a cancellation request is received:
Up to 30 days prior to class start date:
Student may drop the class and receive a refund minus a $75 cancellation fee.
OR
Student has the option to receive credit.
OR
Student may transfer into a new activity where space is available. Transferring credit into a new activity is limited to one time only.
Up to 1 week prior to the class start date:
No refund is available but student receives a credit on their account less a $250 cancellation/transfer fee.
OR
Student may transfer into a new activity if space is available, less a $250 cancellation/transfer fee. Transferring credit into a new activity is limited to one time only.
Less than 1 week prior to the class start date:
No refund, credit, or transfer is available.
There are no exceptions to this cancellation policy.
Please note that all classes are subject to minimum and maximum enrollment. If PGC cancels a class, participants will be notified via email and offered a transfer into another class of the participant’s choosing, or a full refund.
PGC is not responsible for non-refundable airline tickets or other travel costs. If a participant does not show up for their first day of class, or scheduled workshop, and does not communicate with PGC prior to their absence, we are unable to offer a refund or a transfer to a new activity.
Walk In Make-It-Now activities in the hot shop are scheduled every 20 minutes. Registered participants are expected to arrive on time for their activity.
Due to the nature of the activity and studio schedule, even 5 minutes late will significantly diminish the time you have to work and will delay the next participant. Participants who arrive 5 minutes or more late will be cancelled and will not be eligible for a transfer or a refund.
Registered participants are expected to arrive on time for their classes and workshops.
Due to the nature of our studios and the structure of our introductory workshops, we may not be able to accommodate a late arrival. Participants who arrive at least 10 minutes late may be asked to reschedule their activity and may be subject to a $25 late/rescheduling fee.
In the unforeseeable event that a participant is running late, they should contact the front desk at 412-365-2145.
Booking Policy
Up to 30 days in advance
PGC must have the minimum number of participants attending a private activity. The organizer may expand the minimum number of participants 30 days prior to the activity date. Guests are unable to decrease their minimum attendance after booking their activity.
Less than 30 days in advance
Guests cannot reduce or exceed the minimum number of participants purchased under any circumstances within the 30-day period.
- Seats cannot be purchased after the 30-day period and cannot be added on the day of your activity.
- If at the time of your activity, the number of participants is less than the number of purchased spaces, participants can make the same number of items as the total number of participants. (For example, if you booked a group of 40 and only 30 people showed up, all 40 items purchased can still be made at the time of your activity).
Cancellation Policy for Private Hands-on Activities, Tours and Demonstrations, and Private Lessons
Payment for private activities is due within one week of the date of booking. If a payment is not made within that time frame your activity is subject to cancellation. For activities paid via check, please make them out to “Pittsburgh Glass Center” with your group name in the memo line. Payment via check must be postmarked within 1 week of the date of booking. If you are planning to pay with a check please notify us in advance. Failure to notify Pittsburgh Glass Center will result in the cancellation of the activity.
30 days or more prior activity date
Organizers may cancel their activity and receive a refund, less a cancellation fee of 50% of the total cost value. Organizer has the option to reschedule with no cancellation fee applied.
Up to 1 week prior to activity start date
No refund is available, but the organizer may reschedule less a cancellation fee of 50% of the total cost value.
Activities with a scholarship
PGC requires at least 2 weeks’ notice of cancellation.
You can email us to let us know about a cancellation or call 412-365-2145.
All PGC classes and workshops are subject to minimum enrollment and maximum capacity. If PGC cancels a class due to not meeting minimum enrollment, students will be notified via email and offered the option to transfer to another class or workshop or receive a full refund.
Maximum capacities of classes and workshops are determined by the physical space of each studio in consideration of available workspaces and along with PGC safety protocols. Enrollment will not be increased due to set capacities.
Students must be at least 14 years old to participate in any introductory workshops in the Flame, Kiln, and Cold shops. Students 12 – 13 years old may participate in introductory workshops in the Hot shop with an adult chaperone present.
Students must be at least 5 years old to participate in Family Fusing Fun Workshops and Make-It-Nows in the hot, kiln, and cold shops. Students must be at least 8 years old to participate in Make-It-Nows in the Flame shop.
Students must be at least 12 years old to participate in Teens Only Workshops, Teen Bootcamp, MOLTN Teen Glass Sampler, Mixed and Mashed UP for Middle School students, and SIO2 after-school classes.
Students must be at least 14 years old to participate in any multi-week classes.
Students must be at least 16 years old to participate in a Summer Intensive class.
It is imperative that all students are dressed appropriately for their own safety and the safety of others. For any activity, participants are required to wear:
Comfortable and Natural Fiber Clothing
- Natural fibers are necessary because synthetic fibers (such as spandex or polyester) can be highly flammable and are prone to melting when encountering the very high temperatures of hot glass, furnaces, tabletop torches, and kilns.
- Anything that hangs away from the body like long necklaces, scarves, ties, or oversized cardigans, etc should be left at home or removed before class.
- Jeans and t-shirts are great.
- Clothing that Covers the Abdomen and Thighs
- Shorts are discouraged or should be at least knee-length.
Flat and Closed-toe Shoes
- Flip flops, sandals, open-back shoes, or crocs are not permitted. Something with a textured sole isn’t absolutely necessary, but certainly helpful.
Hair Tied Back
- Hair that hangs forward, covers eyes, or can be tied back should be tied back.
Safety Glasses
- The use of our studios requires the use of safety glasses while participating. We provide these for student use, but participants are allowed to bring their own.
Individuals not adhering to the clothing and footwear requirements will NOT be able to participate in class.
By registering for any activity at Pittsburgh Glass Center, students agree to adhere to the general studio usage, clean-up procedures, safety guidelines, and policies outlined by instructors during each activity.
Tools and materials are provided to students for classes and workshops. PGC reserves the right to recoup the cost of broken tools if students are found negligent. Rental sessions are not provided with materials, but tools may be rented.
Pittsburgh Glass Center offers multi-week glass classes for all experience levels, from beginners through advanced students. Classes meet in 3-hour sessions dedicated to covering a variety of material. In each session, students will see a demonstration of the skills they will be learning and practicing that session, followed by hands-on application for the remainder of the class.
Attendance
Classes are structured in a way that students build upon their glassmaking skills each week. Students are strongly encouraged to attend every class, so as not to fall behind. In cases of an emergency and with advanced notice to the instructor PGC can sometimes try to accommodate a makeup session. Due to studio availability, makeup sessions are not guaranteed. If you need to be absent, you must email, call, or text your instructor in advance. Contact information is provided on the first day of class along with your course syllabus.
CMU and Scheduled Semester Breaks
Some 8-week classes are available for students at Carnegie Mellon University to enroll for college credit. As such, 8-week classes usually accommodate a one-week university-scheduled semester break (spring and fall). Breaks are limited to one Saturday and one Sunday to try and keep all of our classes on the same schedule. Dates of classes and breaks are online when registering and outlined in the class syllabus received on the first day of class.
For details on Summer Intensive class structure and related policies, visit the Summer Intensives page.
Due to the nature of hot glass, you will not be able to take any items with you. Hot glass must cool slowly over time to prevent stresses that will cause it to break. Items can be picked up at the front desk 5 days after your activity or shipping can be arranged at the time of your activity.
We will hold on to items for up to 60 days before discarding. Please contact us at (412)365-2145 or email us to arrange shipping if you are unable to pick up.
Children under 14, unless registered in a youth program, must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
With the exception of the hot shop, our studios have limited space for only registered participants. Non-participating observers might be able to observe a class or workshop in the hot shop from the bleachers when space is available.
Please only enter and exit through the front door of the building located on Penn Ave. Some classes are scheduled during non-public open hours, if you are leaving the building outside our public hours, please alert PGC staff to ensure you can get back inside.
Do not prop open the door, and do not let anyone you do not know into the building.
Alert PGC staff if someone is trying to get in, or if an unknown individual is in the building.
With the exception of service animals assisting disabled visitors, animals are not allowed in Pittsburgh Glass Center. If attending or participating in a studio activity, in order to ensure the studio is accurately prepared for your service animal, please contact email us.
With the exception of water, food and drink are not permitted in the studios during classes. Students are encouraged to bring a refillable, lidded water bottle to remain hydrated. A water fountain with a bottle filler is available on the 2nd floor in the hot shop.
For extended workshops, day-long activities, or extended classes, lunch breaks are provided. PGC has a refrigerator and microwave on site available for student use. Lunch can be eaten in the conference room, second-floor landing, or balcony.
In the rare event that Pittsburgh Glass Center cancels classes and closes due to inclement weather, all enrolled participants will be notified as soon as possible. Students are responsible for ensuring that PGC has up-to-date contact information.
We understand that participants come from faraway places to learn at PGC and that weather can vary dramatically between areas. We do not want anyone to get into a situation that they feel is unsafe. If you are concerned about traveling to a class that is not canceled, call or email us ASAP and we will work to reschedule you.
Pittsburgh Glass Center is a smoke-free facility. Smoking and vaping are prohibited in all indoor areas including studios, patios, sidewalk, and parking lot.
Alcohol and Drugs
PGC is an alcohol/drug-free environment. Activity participants may not consume any alcoholic beverages or other intoxicating substances before participating in a hands-on activity in Pittsburgh Glass Center studios.
Anyone found in violation of this policy will be deemed ineligible, may be asked to leave by staff, and will forfeit registration fees to Pittsburgh Glass Center.
Objects worked on or finished at PGC that appear to be drug paraphernalia will be confiscated and destroyed.
If you have been experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone diagnosed with or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, please stay home and contact us as soon as possible, and we will work with you to transfer your registration.
