An Afternoon or Evening with Hot Glass

Looking for a beginning class?  Short on time but want to try glassblowing?  Try "An an Afternoon or Evening with Hot Glass!"  The glass blowing lessons you receive are one-on-one in our glass blowing studio with an instructor.  You will learn each step of the glass blowing process throughout your class.  So don't worry!   This is a fun and creative first step and you'll be hooked before you know it!    Instructor: Staff Friday, May 31, 6 - 9 p.m.  (HS1334) FULL! Thursday, June 13, 1 - 4 p.m.(HS1335) Thursday, June 13, 6 - 9 p.m .(HS1336) Monday, June 17, 6 - 9 p.m. (HS1337) Friday, July 19, 6 - 9 p.m.  (HS1338) Thursday, August 15, 6 - 9 p.m. (HS1339) Friday, September 13, 6 - 9 p.m. (HS1340) Prerequisite: Age 14 & up, no experience necessary.   Maximum: 4 students $75 members/$90 non-members Invite your friends to join you for an evening or afternoon out and learn the basics of glassblowing at the furnace. Swing out a hot  glass bubble to make a vase or drinking glass during these fun glass blowing classes. This adult and teen class can also be scheduled by appointment.  Put this class on your list of fun things to do in Kalamazoo!  NOTE:  If this class is full or does not work with your schedule, call us at 269-552-9802 to schedule this class at your convenience!

To register for An Afternoon or Evening with Hot Glass classes in MAY-JULY, click below: To register for An Afternoon or Evening with Hot Glass classes in AUGUST-SEPTEMBER, click below:

Introduction to Hot Glass-Four Weeks Instructor:  Michael Fortin Mondays, 4 wks, June 3 - 24, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. (HS1341) Prerequisite: Age 16 & up, no experience necessary.      $250 members/$285 non-members      Maximum: 4 students    Designed for the beginning glassblower.  This class will offer students an introduction to the fundamentals of working and forming molten glass into basic shapes.  You will create a clear glass cup, another cup using frit to add color, a bowl and a vase.  Students will become familiar with traditional glassblowing equipment and movement in the hot shop.  This is the perfect class to get a taste for glassblowing and its endless possibilities!  Who knew such fun was right here in Kalamazoo!

Garden Globe Workshop   Instructor: Judith Konesni Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.  (HS1317) FULL! Tuesday, May 21, 12 p.m. -  3 pm   (HS1342) Friday, August 9, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.  (HS1343) Prerequisite:  Age 14 & up. No experience necessary.  Maximum: 4 students $65 members/$80 non-members.       Using traditional glassblower’s tools and techniques, learn to gather glass from the furnace, roll, block, tool the glass and  blow a bubble.  You will make a hanging hollow glass gazing globe for your garden or to hang on your porch. Grab your friends and enjoy a day in downtown Kalamazoo!  After creating colorful garden globes in this  glassblowing class, take some time to discover all the downtown Kalamazoo shops and restaurants within walking distance of West Michigan Glass Art Center.

Summer Two-Day Intensive Glassblowing Workshop

Instructor:  Judith Konesni Mon. Aug 12 & Tues. Aug 13, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m .(HS1344) Prerequisite: Age 14 & up, no experience necessary $300 members/$335 non-members   Max: 4 students        This is an intensive hot shop glassblowing course that concentrates on the basics of gathering molten glass, blowing the bubble, marvering, blocking, puntying up and using traditional glassblowing tools.   Projects include cups and vases the first day, bowls and ornaments the second day.

One-Day Garden Art Glassblowing Workshop

Instructor:  Judith Konesni Tuesday, May 14, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.  (HS1346) Tuesday, June 11, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m . (HS1347) Prerequisite:  Age 14 & up, Evening w/Hot Glass, Teen Glassblowing Camp or equivalent.   Maximum:  4 students $165 members/$185 non-members    Fill your garden with blown glass art that you made yourself! Make a colorful hanging garden globe, a hot glass sculpted “guardian” on a pole and a garden jewel in this all-day workshop. Bring a metal pole (3/4” copper or steel rod) to the class for the guardian sculpture.

Hand Blown Glass Plates and Roundels

Instructor:  Judith Konesni Mondays, 3 wks, Aug 12 - 26, 6 - 9  p.m. (HS1348) Prerequisite:  Age 14 & up, Glassblowing I or instructor approval. $200 members/$225 non-members    Maximum: 4 students   You have the skills to make a hand blown bowl, now, attach spiral wraps of color and spin it out making rondels. Learn to rake your color wrap creating a feathering design. Lastly, learn to attach a foot to your bubble to create a plate. Perfect class for adults and teens, right here in Southwest Michigan!

Glass Casting Workshop

Instructor:  Judith Konesni   4 sessions, Aug. 8, 15, 21 & 22  1 - 4 p.m. (HS1349)    4 sessions, Aug. 8, 15, 21 & 22, 6 - 9 p.m. (HS1350) Prerequisite: Age 14 & up, no experience necessary.    Max: 6 students $280 members/$305 non-members    In this new class you will learn how to do hot glass billet casting.  Begin by sculpting a clay form and we’ll transform it into glass.  Learn the basics of mold making, kiln casting and hot glass billet casting techniques.  Here’s a chance to make a three-dimensional portrait, face or head.  Bring your sketchbook.

Glassblowing I

Instructor: Judith Konesni Mondays, 8 weeks, Sept. 9 - Oct. 28, 6 - 9 p.m. (HS1351) Prerequisite: Age 14 & up, no experience necessary. Maximum: 4 students $450 members/$475 non-members    Designed for the beginning glassblower.  This class will offer students instruction in the fundamentals of working and forming molten glass into basic shapes such as cups, bowls and vases.  Students will become familiar with traditional glassblowing equipment and movement in the hot shop.     This is the perfect class to get a taste for glassblowing and its endless possibilities!  Great workshop for teens and adults!