Frequently Asked Questions

We are free and open to the public with a $5 suggested donation fee. See our hours.

• Take a hands-on workshop
• Explore our contemporary glass gallery
• Watch artists making glass
• Shop for handmade glass gifts
• Pick up items made previously in classes

How old do I have to be to take a class?

Unless otherwise stated, we welcome students at least 14 years of age or older to participate in our introductory 2-hour workshops and students 5 and older for our Make-It-Now events. An adult must accompany children under 14 years old. You must be at least 14 to participate in all other classes. Our youth programs are specifically designed for young people in middle school and high school. Make-It-Now events are made for anyone 5 and older to try glass and great for families. 

Register for Classes & Workshops

Will I be in a class with other people?

Yes. You will be joined by others in your class, unless it is a private workshop or a private lesson. Other students and artists will be present in the studio.

High-touch surfaces and equipment are cleaned after every class and multiple times a day. Due to the nature of the glass making process, every studio in the building has state-of-the-art ventilation.

What Should I Wear?

Please wear comfortable, natural fiber clothing. Jeans and t-shirts are great. Wear flat close-toed shoes. Something with a textured sole isn’t absolutely necessary, but certainly helpful. Anything that hangs away from the body (long necklaces, scarves, etc.) should be left at home or removed before the class. Tie back long hair. Long hair is defined as anything that hangs forward or covers eyes.

Masks are optional. If you prefer to wear a mask choose one that is made of natural fibers – all cotton, or linen, for example (no polyester) – and be sure that it is tightly fitted around your face with no loose, hanging parts. Natural fibers are necessary because synthetic fibers can be highly flammable, and prone to melting, when encountering the very high temperatures of hot glass furnaces, tabletop torches, and kilns.

If you would like to use an N-95, please be sure to wear an additional mask made of all-natural fibers as a protective covering. The material of an N-95 is synthetic, and can potentially be a flammable hazard.

Can I complete the Release of Liability form before my class?

Yes.  Release of liability forms should be completed before your arrival to PGC to ensure all students may begin on time. Complete Your Release.

Make-It-Now events are more fun with friends.

When registering multiple participants be sure to sign up for sequential time slots (instead of multiple slots at the same time) so everyone in your group can participate, watch, and take pictures together during your activity. For example, register your family of 4 for one slot each at 6:00, 6:20, 6:40 and 7:00pm.

Still have questions? Call us at 412-365-2145. We can help.

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 glassinfo@pittsburghglasscenter.org to arrange shipping if you are unable to pick up.

Anyone can pick up your items with the following information:  

• Date  
• Name of the activity (type of item made – for example, pendants, or paperweights) 
• First AND last name of the participant  

Shipping can be arranged at the front desk after your activity. Charges will vary according to the size of your projects and the destination of your package. Items can take up to 2 weeks to be shipped.  Email us to arrange shipping.

Unfortunately, classes are occasionally canceled because of enrollment and sometimes weather. If class is ever canceled, we will notify you as soon as possible via email, and you will be offered another class, account credit, or a full refund. Please make sure we have the most up-to-date contact information for the students participating in the class.

Classes may also be canceled due to shifting capacity and safety regulations related to the pandemic. We will reach out via email if classes are canceled for any reason.

PGC’s refund and cancellation policy varies depending on the type of class or workshop.  Please see the details below on the refund and cancellation policy that apply to your specific activity. If you need to cancel, please contact: 412-365-2145 OR email us. If you are calling to transfer into another class or workshop, please have your secondary choice ready. Please note, PGC reserves the right to update these policies at any time. 

Make-It-Nows, Date Nights, and Introductory Workshops  

If a student cancellation request is received: 

72 hours or more prior to the scheduled workshop:
Student may drop the class and receive a full refund or the option to transfer into a new activity where space is available, with no cancellation fee. 


Within 72 hours of the scheduled workshop:
No refund available. Student may transfer into a new activity if space is available, less a cancellation fee per registrant: 

$25 – Extended Workshop
$15 – 2-Hour Workshop
$10 – Make-It-Now

Multi-Week Classes 

If a student cancellation request is received: 

1 week prior to the class start date:
Student may drop the class and receive a full refund less a $10 cancellation fee or option to transfer into a new activity if space is available, with no cancellation fee.

Within 1 week of the class start date: 
No refund available, but student may transfer into a new activity if space is available, less a $50 cancellation/transfer fee per registrant.  

Week-Long Intensive Classes 

If a student cancellation request is received: 

30 or more days prior to class start date:
Student may drop the class and receive a refund, less a $250 cancellation fee. Student has the option to transfer into a new activity, if space is available, with no cancellation fee applied.

Up to 1 week prior to class start date:
No refund available, but student may transfer into a new activity if space is available, less a $250 cancellation/transfer fee per registrant. 

Less than 1 week prior to class start date:
Due to the resources required for our Intensive classes, we are unable to offer a refund or transfer the student to a new activity on this timeframe.

** If you have a special circumstance that requires you to cancel your travel plans, please call 412-365-2145 directly. 

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, students will be notified (via email) and offered a transfer into another class of the student’s choosing , or a full refund. PGC is not responsible for non-refundable airline tickets or other travel costs. If a student 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 .

View our Class Policies

If a class, workshop, or other hands-on activity is sold out, click the link that says “Join Waitlist.” This will not charge payment or put your card on file. If a space becomes available, we will contact the waitlist on a first-come, first-served basis by phone. After confirming your availability, we will process the payment for the registration at that time.

Our studios are open to everyone who wants to learn and create. We offer a variety of scholarships in an effort to make our classes accessible to as many people as possible. Full- and half-tuition scholarships are available for all classes and workshops. Every student is eligible to apply for merit-based, half-tuition scholarships, while students of color and veterans are qualified to apply for full scholarships.

Get Details & Apply

Registrations are transferable between people so long as the new registrant is eligible for the class. Please refer to your class description to determine eligibility based on age, skill level, and other factors.

If you are transferring your spot in a class or workshop to another individual, please forward the confirmation email to them, including the Release of Liability Form.

Registrations may be transferred up to the start of the class – just let our admin team know when you are checking in.

If transfer information is known in advance, please send us an email or give us a call at 412-365-2145.

Memorializing loved ones and pets in glass is a popular option that some companies offer. At Pittsburgh Glass Center, we are limited in what we can offer. The technical challenges of adding outside material to our glass and the unique emotional significance mean that we don’t take on commissions with ashes as an organization, nor do we allow students to bring outside materials to add to their workshops.

As an art form, glassmaking is a setting where things can break or don’t go as planned. If you wish to pursue having ashes incorporated into a glass piece, please refer to our Commissions & Repairs page to reach out to artists directly about doing this work.

Pittsburgh Glass Center teaching artists are mostly independent contractors, and not full time time employees at PGC. While they are paid an hourly wage befitting their specialized skills, the amount of work for each artist varies greatly depending on available teaching opportunities.

Tipping instructors is not required or expected. However, if you would like to show your gratitude to your instructor by leaving them a tip, it is welcomed and always greatly appreciated.