(HOT 201
& HOT 260)
or HOT 301

FAQ:

• Student FAQ
• More information on each type of glass art (links to wikipedia.org)
  • Glass Blowing
  • Slumping & Fusing
  • Lampworking
You can buy a gift certificate which is the perfect gift by calling 415.671.4916 or by emailing admin@publicglass.org
• Workshops and supplementary classes are designated as being 50 or higher in a specific series, ie 150 or 175 would be a workshop within the same series.
• When you click to sign-up you will be taken to EZ Facility which is where you can pay for the class/workshop. If you have any questions, contact info@publicglass.org or call us at 415.671.4916
• Scroll down to see an overview of our entire class structure with prerequisites. You can click on the links to see the schedule and purchase an upcoming class or workshop.
• In order to rent time on your own in the COLD/LAMP/WARM shops you must complete all classes (workshops are optional but recommended) in the 100 series or be given a "by" because of previous knowledge by the Technology Director and/or Executive Director
• In order to rent time on your own in the HOT shop you must successfully complete Glass Blowing 2B or be given a "by" because of previous knowledge by the Technology Director and/or Executive Director

Glassblowing Fundamentals II
5 week series
Course Level: Beginner

This class is for students who are interested in continuing and expanding their glass experience. You will revisit the skills learned in 1A and elaborate and refine them through studio practice. The focus will be on one’s dexterity in gathering technique and proper usage of tools to manipulate the glass, while using the heat of the glass to your advantage in controlling and shaping your piece. You will also be introduced to basic color techniques in addition to shaping and the application of handles. Prerequisite: Glassblowing 1A

Sand casting offers an opportunity to make solid castings in furnace glass in a very immediate and satisfying manner. This class will introduce students to the process, starting with a short lecture and idea generating session before the workshop to familiarize students with the possibilities of sand casting and give them time to prepare objects and models for the casting session. The workshop will cover the mixing and sifting of sand for forming molds, creating molds, the handling of ladles, casting hot, and appropriate cleanup, with a brief note on annealing.

Students should expect to make 1-3 pieces, as time and size allows.

Course Level: Beginner

For casters with some experience who would like to get more casting and less talking done, Public now offers the Production Session. Participants should expect to make as many pieces as time and glass supply allows. The session will be limited to four participants who have had prior hotcasting experience.

Course Level: Intermediate

In this exciting new class, students will have the chance to produce objects in the flame shop and then cast them as inclusions in the hotshop in the same session.
Instructor Janice Peacock will guide students through the creation of lampworked objects in the flame shop using a compatible soft glass. Students will then take these objects into the hotshop, where they will imbed them in hotcast objects of their own design.
The class will repeat the same format two Saturdays in a row, to allow students to apply the lessons learned in week one to the projects of week two.
This is a great opportunity to create unique glass works.
Delicate objects can be enshrined in clear glass reliquaries, or emerge from the surface of larger shapes. Students will have a chance to experiment with balancing mass and delicacy, and combining the transmitted light of thick casting with the intricate detail of lampworking.
Student should come prepared with ideas and sketchbooks.

Two 6 hour sessions Course Level:

Blowing glass into molds has been around since Roman times. It is a great way to make shapes and textures out of glass that would otherwise not be possible. There are a variety of materials that glassblowing molds can be made from that we will explore over the course of this two-day intensive. We will spend the first day with discussions & demonstrations, then into brainstorming & creating our blow molds. The second day will primarily be in the hot shop, blowing glass into our freshly made molds. In addition to the molds we will be creating, there will be a variety of funky molds available to blow glass into. There will be some materials provided, however, participants are encouraged to bring their own materials, whether it be metal, wood (solid wood only), graphite and found objects (Think this thought when looking at an object - “What would it be like to blow glass into that?!?”). Participants should have some experience in the hot shop, and come prepared to be inspired and most importantly, have fun!

Phil Vinson has been blowing glass for 17 years, and teaching workshops for the last 11. He has a wide range of experience not only in glass technique, but metal & wood as well. He has worked in the architectural & design manufacturing world on projects all over the country. His unique variety of experiences and technical know how greatly influence his not-so-traditional approach to creating objects out of glass.

2 day class- 2 six hour sessions

LImit 6 students

Phil Vinson has been blowing glass for 17 years, and teaching workshops for the last 11. He has a wide range of experience not only in glass technique, but metal & wood as well. He has worked in the architectural & design manufacturing world on projects all over the country. His unique variety of experiences and technical know how greatly influence his not-so-traditional approach to creating objects out of glass.

Empowering the Punty?
This Workshop is designed to strengthen one's understanding of the philosophies behind the auspicious punty. The focus will be on shaping and temperature, the two integral components in making a good punty. We will discuss and explore the various types of punties and the purpose they serve. From the standard ' dome' punty to the specifically implemented 'sculpture' punty, students will experience first-hand the correct procedure in making these punties successfully. Furthermore, addressing the proper ways of attaching specific punties to the pieces they were designed for.

Direction For Glassblowers
5 week series
This course is designed to further one’s understanding, through practice; the skills, techniques, and forms executed in 2A. Students will expand their vocabulary further with the glass by working with optic molds and learn how to apply color effectively in a variety of fashions. You will take advantage of this time to address any problems related to your glass blowing or difficulties encountered in the execution of a piece. This class will prepare the student to be comfortable and confident in operating the kiln controls, lighting up the glory holes, garage and turning off and on color ovens. There will be dialog pertaining to acquiring the appropriate tools for one’s own specific needs.

5 week series

6 Hour Workshop
This intensive will examine the fundamental process of making bottle forms.  Students will gain a better understanding of proper ‘bubble set up,’ weight distribution, as well as the refinement of the final shape on the punty. Students will start by executing the basic ‘drop neck’ bottle, and then advance to implementing more advanced and versatile techniques, such as the ‘pulled neck’ bottle form.  Various shapes will be covered with an emphasis on form, function, proportion, and overall aesthetic.

Limit: 6 students

Need to improve your bowl making technique?

In this special topical class, Erik Eiserling, former Orrefors employee and CCA glassblowing instructor, will demonstrate the proper construction of bowls in the Swedish style.
Students will receive instruction and practice in bubble proportion, heating and opening to produce graceful, smooth-sided bowls, as well as a number of techniques for the addition of color in a bowl appropriate manner.
4 week class- 4 three hour sessions

Limit: 6 students

Sunday Studios

In these sessions, you will get a chance to explore your own self-directed projects. Come practice your skills at cutting, shaping and assembling to further explore the fusing and slumping of glass. You need to have an intermediate skill level. This class is for those of you who took a beginners class and now want to explore. A monitor will be there to guide you, if needed. So come play with glass! Each session is $80, ($50 for members who use their own glass). A standard full-fuse firing for the group is included in the cost; slumps can be arranged by individuals or small groups outside of the workshop.

This class will explore techniques for molding objects and casting glass in a kiln. Students will learn how to make molds of existing objects, as well as modeling new ones from clay and wax. Once objects have been cast in glass, various cold working processes will be demonstrated that can further change the form and surface of the piece. The six-week class will include discussions about the scientific aspects of the processes that are being used and exposure to the work of artists utilizing similar techniques. Students are encouraged to bring objects to mold, drawings, ideas, and enthusiasm.

Six weeks- Once a week for 3 hours each class.

This class promises to be fun and creative, back by popular demand with instructor Terry Ow-Wing! This class is geared for intermediate-level fusing students wanting to incorporate flameworking and fusing. It is recommended that students bring a "blank" for the torch-worked elements to be added to. The blank needs to be about 6x6 and clear-capped over either a translucent or opaque base glass. Glass elements such as cane and intricate twists will be made using the torch. Properties of glass and technical information will be explained and practiced, including firing and annealing schedules. The finished product will be a decorated blank with many leftover flameworked items for your future use. No flameworking experience is required. The cost of the class includes a fuse firing; slumping for the final project can be arranged outside of class time.

Description:  Students will build on their knowledge of mold making as they explore more intricate and complex forms to cast in glass.  Emphasis will be placed on planning and intent as students create one or several pieces based on their ideas. Different molding materials, including plaster and silicone, will be used for casting multiples in wax, which can also be utilized for fabrication and carving. Drawing will be a necessity as students investigate proportion and placement of form before it is cast in glass.
Previous experience with mold making and wax working required.

Four weeks- one six-hour class per week.

This intensive will provide students with the necessary understanding to safely work with our cold working equipment. Learn to cut, grind, polish and sandblast pieces created in the hot and warm shops. Students are invited to bring their own pieces to class, from drinking glasses to sculpture, or sample pieces are provided for practice. Using the proper progression of equipment students will achieve their intended results. Students will be versed in the use of the lathe, glass belt sander, glass grinding wheel, glass chop-saw and sand blaster. This class is required for all members who wish to use our cold working equipment.