Private Lessons
One-on-one lessons involve private, customized instruction in any aspect of studio glass art within any of our four studios. You receive focused attention from our experienced instructors and learn at your own pace. Beginners benefit by learning basic glassmaking techniques and build a strong foundation for working with glass. Experienced artists can expand their skill set by focusing on specific techniques of their choosing. You design the program with your instructor to fit your glassmaking goals.
Private lessons are available for 1 – 2 people any time during our open hours.
You must be at least 14 years old to schedule a private lesson.
2-Hour Private Lesson
$275, 1 or 2 participants
Use gravity and heat to begin to explore the medium of molten glass. This 2-hour private lesson is a great way to get started and learn the basics of manipulating glass to create various solid shapes.
Four 2-Hour Private Lessons
$900, 1 or 2 participants
Glassblowing is a team activity that takes practice to master. In this 8-hour hands-on private lesson series, you’ll learn to use various tools to gather and manipulate molten glass to make various shapes. Once you are confident with those skills, you’ll move on to using a blowpipe and blowing glass to make a bubble. Then you’ll learn to create shapes like ornaments and cups or bowls.
2-Hour Private Lesson
$160/one person
$250/two people
Learn to melt glass rods of Borosilicate (hard glass comprised of silica and boric oxide) using a tabletop stationary torch and make marbles, beads, pendants, magnets, or small-scale sculptures.
2-Hour Private Lesson
$160/one person
$250/two people
Learn the basics of fusing, how to cut sheet glass, and add color and design with frit and stringers to decorate and make a unique item you’ll want to use for years to come. You will learn the basics while making either a 7” slumped dish or an 8” charcuterie board.
4-Hour Private Lesson
$320/one person
$500/two people
Learn the basics of fusing, how to cut sheet glass, and add color and design with frit and stringers to decorate and make a unique item you’ll want to use for years to come. You will learn the basics of kilnforming while making a dish set that could include a platter, serving plate, and two side dishes.
4-Hour Teacher Training
$320/one person
$500/two people
This lesson will delve more into the science of kilnforming so you can gain a better understanding of the fusing process, available materials, kiln firing programs, and how to teach kilnforming to others. You will learn about preparing kiln shelves, slump molds, kiln programming, and how/where to procure tools and glass. This teacher training includes a discussion on how to design a workshop, write a syllabus, and prepare materials. You will make a set of samples to help explain the basics of kilnforming.
Intermediate/Advanced Private Lesson
Please contact Becky, our Kiln Shop Coordinator or (412) 365-2145 x215.
2-Hour Private Lesson
$160/one person
$250/two people
Interested in trying stained glass? Learn the basics of cutting, laying and soldering as you create a charming and unique glass dragonfly. Learn how to cut and shape glass into beautiful wings and work with traditional stained glass lead came, and solder to adhere and complete your piece.
4-Hour Private Lesson
$320/one person
$500/two people
Interested in trying stained glass? Learn the basics of cutting, laying and soldering as you create a beautiful suncatcher or ornament from a variety of pre-determined patterns. Learn how to work with traditional stained glass lead came, and solder to adhere and complete your piece.
Intermediate/Advanced Private Lesson
Please contact Becky, our Kiln Shop Coordinator or (412) 365-2145 x215.
2-Hour Private Lesson
$150/one person
$250/two people
Interested in trying your hand at casting glass? Learn sculpting techniques, mold making with plaster and silca, and kiln firing while using clay to create a 4” open face tile.
4-Hour Private Lesson
$320/one person
$500/two people
Interested in trying your hand at casting glass? Learn sculpting techniques, mold making with plaster and silca, and kiln firing while using clay to create a 4” open face tile. In this lesson, you will also learn the lost wax casting technique and use it to create a three-dimensional item to be picked from PGC’s library of rubber molds.
Intermediate/Advanced Private Lesson
Please contact Becky, our Kiln Shop Coordinator or (412) 365-2145 x215.
2-Hour Private Lesson
$150/one person ($60 each additional hour)
$230/two people ($100 each additional hour)
Private lessons in the cold shop focus on techniques to add surface texture, make clean cuts, grind away rough edges or excess material, and otherwise add finishing touches to glass made in other studios. Individualized instruction is offered on all equipment and techniques.
4-Hour Private Lesson
$270/one person
$430/two people
Private lessons in the cold shop focus on techniques to add surface texture, make clean cuts, grind away rough edges or excess material, and otherwise add finishing touches to glass made in other studios. Individualized instruction is offered on all equipment and techniques. In this 4-hour private lesson, you will learn how to check-in, check-out, and reset equipment to be able to rent our cold shop for personal projects. **
**Please note, some students may require more than 4 hours of training to be able to rent time in our Cold Shop. Rental at the Pittsburgh Glass Center requires sign-off by one of our studio technicians and is dependent on your skill level and comfort around the equipment.
4, 2-Hour Private Lessons
$600/one person ($300/each additional person)
Learn the basics of neon tube bending: right angles, double backs, and curves, and combining bends. You’ll learn how to create and read patterns for basic shapes depending on the student’s progress.
The filling of tubes will be at a separate cost and will be determined by the instructor.
4, 2-Hour Private Lessons
$600/one person ($300/each additional person)
Get personal guidance on creating plasma sculptures: be it the Hot Shop, Kiln Shop, or Flame Shop. Learn about basic structures for plasma, while navigating your designs for illuminated glass!
The filling of sculptures for plasma will be at a separate cost and will be determined by the instructor.