Hot Glass Blowing Classes

Are you feeling the itch to take one of our glass blowing classes in Minneapolis, MN? You’ve found the perfect place. Take a look through our hot glass blowing programs below to find one that suits your interest and familiarity level. Our friendly instructors, simple-to-use equipment, and helpful facilities will ensure you have a stellar time—whether you’re just starting with glass blowing or seek to grow your skills further. Our glass blowing classes in Minneapolis, MN, tend to fill up quickly, so be sure to sign up early if you find one you don’t want to miss. All actively enrolled students get discounted rental rates in the glassblowing Hot Shop. This discount does not include additional equipment usage. We look forward to seeing you at our next class!

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.

*Please note that the hotshop is hot, especially in the summer months. If you are sensitive to heat, try signing up in the spring, fall, or winter.

View our COVID-19 Policy here.

Glassblowing 1

Glassblowing 1 introduces the medium of molten glass, the basic equipment in the Hot Shop and Cold Shop, and the standard set of glass tools to beginners. Through solid and blown glass exercises, participants learn proper body movements, muscle memory, and communication with partners. From the first gather to a handmade cup, this class provides a foundation for future artists, students, and hobbyists to continue working with hot glass and renting studio time at Foci MCGA.

No experience required.

Offered year-round.

6-week course ~ $620

Glassblowing 2

Building upon the techniques learned in Glassblowing 1, Glassblowing 2 extends beyond the basic bubble setup. In this course participants refine their cup making skills, learn bottles and bowls, and add sculptural elements and simple color application. As one continues down their glassblowing journey, they can take this class more than once to gain new insight as one's skills develop.

Prerequisite: Completed Glassblowing 1. Equivalent coursework or experience may be accepted, please inquire.

Offered year-round.

6-week course ~ $620

Color Application

Learn various color application techniques to enhance your glass forms. This course covers the basics of applying color in powder and bar form and discusses the properties of transparent and opaque colors and how they can react to each other. Learn what it means to drop an overlay, make suppio cups, and incalmo to bubbles together. This course prepares  participants for advanced techniques in cane, murrine, graals. 

Prerequisites: Completed Glassblowing 2 or equivalent.

Offered semiannually.

4-week course

$525

How to Blow Glass Solo: Tech Session

Having trouble finding a partner or just want to add to your glassblowing skills? In this one day technical session, students will learn some tricks and techniques for blowing solo. Students will learn how to use a blow hose correctly and efficiently, how to bring themselves a punty, and how to put pieces into the annealer safely, all without the need for a partner.

Personal blowhose required. Please bring one if you have one.

Prerequisite: Completed Glassblowing 1 or equivalent.

One day 4 hour workshop ~ $150

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Cane Techniques

Pulling and rolling up glass cane are traditional Italian patterning techniques. This class focuses on teaching students to pull various types of cane, as well as how to roll them up and blow them into different forms. Utilizing these techniques, students will design and create stimulating color patterns on their vessels.

Prerequisites: Completed Glassblowing 2 or equivalent

Offered annually.

4-week course

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Open Studio

Sign up for Open Studio Night for the opportunity to work with others to complete a project of your choice! There will be a mentor present in the studio to answer questions and give tips for new techniques, as well as an assortment of color to experiment with. The goal of this program is to connect glassblowers together, try some new projects out with guidance, and build community. Each artist will receive at least one hour of blow time and is expected to assist their partner(s).

This is a great opportunity for new and intermediate glassblowers to work on skills and connect with other artists and find another glassblowing partner!

The all inclusive fee covers blow time, additional equipment use (torches, garage - for those who have been trained), an assortment of color (frit, bar), and the mentor’s time.

Prerequisite: Completed Glassblowing 1 or equivalent.

One day, 3 hour session.

$50