The Education Studio at Museum of Glass invites visitors to create their own art with a variety of hands-on workshops inspired by the Museum’s current exhibitions, the season, events, and more. Crafts and activities range from glassmaking and fusing to sketching and painting.

By the Furnace: Hot Shop Experience workshops have limited availability and are usually announced a month ahead of time.

Check out the adjacent video tutorial to get a glimpse of what you will be doing in fusing and slumping workshops! See below to read more about all available workshops and to reserve your time.

In the Hot Shop

By the Furnace: Hot Shop Experience

Here is your chance to work on the Hot Shop floor! Assisted by Hilltop Artists, these workshops feature a variety of objects, such as flowers, birds, ornaments, paperweights, and more (each workshop date will feature a specific object). As the gaffer, you’ll be able to choose colors, block and shape the glass, and add your own twist to the work of art.

Pricing: $85 non-member/$80 MOG member. Does not include Museum admission.

Sessions are 30 to 45 minutes long. Ages 12 and up welcome. Reservations are strongly encouraged. Your finished project will be available for pick-up beginning the Saturday after the workshop. Shipping is available for an additional charge.

Check our calendar to see which object you will be making each session.

In the Education Studio

Full Fusing

Learn the art of fusing with MOG instructors. Working with cold, flat glass sheets and decorative elements, fusing allows you to sandwich glass pieces together into a design of your own. Create a 4x4 inch glass tile by collaging together sheet glass, pasta-like stringers, and powdered glass. Once your design is complete it will be fired in our electric kiln to produce one solid, smooth work of art.

Pricing: $40 per person, $36 for MOG members. Does not include Museum admission.

Suitable for ages six and up. Reservations are strongly encouraged. Finished projects are available for pick up the Saturday after your workshop in the Museum Store, or they can be shipped for an additional fee.

Tack Fusing

Learn the art of tack fusing with MOG instructors. In a process similar to full fusing, you will be assembling pieces of sheet glass, powdered glass, and stringers. Once completed, your project will be fired in our kiln at a temperature slightly lower than the 1,400°F heat of a traditional fused product, creating a textured and layered final product. Glass pieces keep their shape and dimensional integrity creating a textural 3D glass design.

Pricing: $40 per person, $36 for MOG members. Does not include Museum admission.

Suitable for ages six and up. Reservations are strongly encouraged. Finished projects are available for pick up the Saturday after your workshop in the Museum Store, or they can be shipped for an additional fee.

Slumping

Learn the art of slumping with MOG instructors. Slumping is a two-step process often used to create glass dishes. The first step is fusing your assembled project to tack the pieces of glass together. Once it has cooled it is placed over a mold and heated again, this time at a lower temperature. The glass will soften in the heat and take the shape of the mold, creating your own personalized dish! 

Pricing: $40 per person, $36 for MOG members. Does not include Museum admission.

Suitable for ages six and up. Reservations are strongly encouraged. Finished projects are available for pick up two weeks after your workshop in the Museum Store, or they can be shipped for an additional fee.

Mosaics

Make a mosaic with MOG instructors. Mosaic is the technique of assembling small pieces together to create a larger design. These small pieces can be made of anything, but we like to use glass! The glass pieces are cut, arranged, and set onto a wooden backing. Once they are grouted, they are ready to be taken home and put on display. 

Pricing: $40 per person, $36 for MOG members. Does not include Museum admission.

Suitable for ages six and up. Reservations are strongly encouraged. Finished projects are available for pick up the Saturday after your workshop in the Museum Store, or they can be shipped for an additional fee.

Education Studio Project

The Education Studio provides opportunities for hands-on engagement with project concepts and themes inspired by the art exhibited at the Museum. Children 12 and under can also enter our Kids Design Glass™ contest for a chance to have their drawing made into glass by the Hot Shop Team. 

Download the Kids Design Glass Entry Form here.

Family Day Activities

The second Saturday of each month is a great day to visit the Museum. Enjoy special hands-on art activities and performances in the Grand Hall from local music or dance group. Plus, you can make your own fused glass tile in the Education Studio.

*Additional fee for fusing workshops. Performances on select Family Days. Check calendar for details.