Glass Coldworking Classes
Interested in knowing how to manipulate glass surfaces and pieces without stepping into the hotshop? Our coldworking glass classes in Minneapolis, MN, have everything you need to begin. Throughout our offerings, you can learn coldworking glass techniques such as grinding, engraving, cutting, and polishing. As is the case with our hot glass classes, different visiting artists teach some of our courses, providing you a personalized view into not only their professional techniques but how they approach projects from scratch. Students taking any of our coldworking glass classes in Minneapolis, MN, will learn how to safely and efficiently use all cold shop equipment, preparing them for future studio rentals if desired. Browse our course offerings today!
Registration is available to students 14 years old and up.
Foci MGCA offers a full-tuition scholarship open to BIPOC and a need based half-tuition scholarship open to anyone with financial need. Find out more about our scholarship opportunities here.
Exploration in Coldworking Glass: From Cutting To Assemblage
2024 Visiting Artist Workshop with Jiyong Lee
Course Description: This workshop will explore various creative practices with cold glass techniques including, saw cutting, carving, grinding, lamination assemblage with HXTAL NYL1, polishing, and various surface finishing methods. During the workshop the group will discuss a variety of problem-solving techniques and critical thinking with using glass as an artistic medium.
5 day workshop from June 19-23, 2024
Wednesday-Sunday 9am-5pm (with a daily 1 hour lunch break)
Prerequisite: No experience required.
Registration Deadline 5/7/2024
Artist Biography: Jiyong Lee is a studio artist and educator who lives and works in Carbondale, Illinois as a professor of art and head of the glass program at Southern Illinois University. As an instructor, he also has taught at the Pilchuck Glass School, the Studio of the Corning Museum of Glass, Penland School of Crafts, the Domaine de Boisbuchet (France), Canberra Glassworks (Australia), Fire Station Artists’ Studios (Dublin, Ireland), and various other art institutions and universities nationally and internationally. He has won a number of honors, including 2021 Finalist of Loewe Foundation Craft Prize, Bavarian State Prize from International Trade Fair, Munich Germany. His work was featured in American Craft Magazine, Neues Glas Germany, ‘New Glass Review’ of Corning Museum of Glass, and American Art Collector.
Coldworking 1
This course is for people new to glass or for people experienced with glass who are seeking refinement in the Cold Shop. In Coldworking 1 participants learn how to properly and safely use all the equipment in the Cold Shop and well as techniques for working by hand. Equipment covered includes flat lap wheels, the lathe, beltsander, wet saw, handheld die grinder, and sandblaster. Foci MCGA provides a variety of pre-made glass "blanks" for students to practice on.
No experience required.
Offered semiannually.
6-week course
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Coldworking Basics: Tech Session
In this Coldworking Tech Session, students will learn how to properly and safely use basic machinery including the grit wheels, diamond flat wheels, belt sander, Denver lathe, wet tile saw, dremel, and the sandblaster. Coldworking is a great way to transform and enhance glass. Students will practice grinding and polishing by creating a solid glass crystal. This tech session is great for the beginner or the intermediate student who wants to troubleshoot coldworking issues and hone their skills.
No experience required.
Offered semiannually.
One day tech session 10am-4pm with a one hour lunch break
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