Visit PGC
Pittsburgh Glass Center is located in Pittsburgh’s East End neighborhood of Friendship/Garfield, approximately four miles east of the Strip District in downtown Pittsburgh. PGC is a public access facility and admission is free; however, there is a $10 suggested donation.
Everyone is welcome to visit during our open hours and take a self-guided tour to see our contemporary glass exhibition, explore our studios, browse in our gift shop, and meet our artists. We also have many opportunities for you to get into glass.
Visiting Us
Pittsburgh Glass Center is free and open to the public. There is a $10 suggested donation. Stop by during our open hours to explore and learn more. Classes, events, and studio rental are all available outside of our regular hours. Check out our FAQs to learn more.
Contact Us
P: 412-365-2145
Address
Pittsburgh Glass Center
5472 Penn Avenue,
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Lobby, Gallery, & Retail Shop
Hours
10am–7pm Every Day
PGC is closed:
- September 7 (Labor Day)
- September 19
- November 26
- December 25, 2026–January 1, 2027
Studio Maintenance: August 17–31
August is obviously a hot month in our region, and at Pittsburgh Glass Center it can be even hotter with temperatures in the glassblowing studio reaching over 120ºF! At those temps, it is nearly unbearable and unsafe to blow glass. That makes this the best time of year to turn off the furnaces and make repairs.
August 17–31 is maintenance time at PGC this summer. We are still open to visitors, but the studios are closed as we rearrange equipment to make repairs and upgrades.
During this time, visitors can stop by to explore the Art on Fire auction items on display in The Hodge Gallery and purchase handmade glass gifts in our retail shop.
August 17–31 Hours
Mon: Closed
Tue: 10am–4pm
Wed: 10am–4pm
Thu: 10am–6pm
Fri: 10am–6pm
Sat: 10am–6pm
Sun: 10am–6pm
Road Construction Near PGC
Allow yourself extra time to get to PGC since work is underway on Phase II of the Penn Avenue Reconstruction project.
This project will consist of full-depth reconstruction of all street infrastructure in the project area, including the street, curb sidewalk, ADA ramps, and traffic signals, as well as other mobility and safety improvements and is expected to take approximately two years.
- Westbound/Inbound traffic (heading toward Children’s Hospital) will be maintained and open on Penn Ave.
- Eastbound/Outbound traffic (heading towards Whole Foods) will be detoured onto Main St > Liberty Ave > Baum Blvd > Negley Ave > Back onto Penn Ave.
- Eastbound/Outbound traffic originating north of Penn Ave. should take Broad St.
Get more details from the City of Pittsburgh website.
Walk In + Make-It-Now
Every Saturday and Sunday 10:00am–4:30pm through July 26
(Subject to availability; slots are limited to 6 per hour)
Every Saturday and Sunday you can walk-in and try glassmaking without a reservation. In 20 minutes or less you’ll make a paperweight or a blown glass ornament with help from our artists for $55. No experience is required. Adults and kids ages 5+ with adult supervision are welcome to participate.
This is a quick opportunity to get a taste of the glassmaking experience with lots of assistance.
Get More Details
Our parking lot is small and recommended for compact cars. There is only one entrance and exit on Penn Avenue which can make turning around a bit tricky especially for large vehicles.
If the lot is full, parking on Penn Avenue in front of and near our building is free (be careful not to block the bus stop). There is also free additional parking on the streets in our neighborhood.
One van accessible parking space is available in our lot with a clear access aisle.
Enter the building on Penn Avenue. Proceed through the vestibule to our lobby and retail shop. The steps lead to our main floor. A lift to the main floor is also available to the left of the front desk.
While PGC is public access and admission is free, there is a $10 suggested donation. We rely on individual contributions to augment the revenue generated by our classes and workshops in order to keep our doors open, our fires hot, and to continue our mission of education and community outreach. There are two donation boxes located on the first floor of our Penn Avenue building. We genuinely appreciate support in whatever amount you are able to give!
Pittsburgh Glass Corner is our satellite gallery, community space, and artist residence. Located at 5431 Penn Ave., just a 3-minute walk from our main facility, “The Corner” will host pop-up exhibitions. Learn more.
You can explore our studios using our digital guide on Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and cultural platform created by Bloomberg Philanthropies. The Bloomberg Connects app, available on the web and for download from Google Play or the App Store, makes Pittsburgh Glass Center accessible through photo, audio, and video features offering insights into the science, art, and history of glass in Pittsburgh. Find our guide online, or once you install and open the app, search for or scroll to Pittsburgh Glass Center to start planning your visit! You can learn more here.
Pittsburgh Glass Center is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive, welcoming, and accessible to everyone. If a special accommodation can help you or anyone in your group fully participate in our programs, please email us or call 412-365-2145. Learn more about accessibility at Pittsburgh Glass Center.
As a public access studio, everyone is welcome to visit during our open hours. Visitors can use our self-guided tour brochure, supplemented by our exciting new mobile guide in the free Bloomberg Connects app, to explore the building, peek into our four studios, and see contemporary glass art in The Hodge Gallery.
If you are seeking something more, check out our classes and events or schedule a private activity.
Program Cost: Suggested $10 donation
Pittsburgh Glass Center (PGC) is internationally recognized as one of the United States’ premier glass facilities. Learn the specifics about our four studios, the equipment and space available in each, and procedures for rental and open studio participation.
