Glass Kilnforming and Casting Classes
Our glass kilnforming and casting classes in Minneapolis, MN, are a wonderful introduction to the world of manipulating glass in an electric kiln. Through this range of classes, you can learn fusing and slumping, mold-making and pressing, wax casting, and other exciting techniques. Many of our students have utilized the skills learned in these classes to make their own household decorations or products to sell online and in person. The majority of our kilnforming classes in Minneapolis, MN, are beginner-friendly, and any classes with prerequisites will state so in their respective descriptions. So, what are you waiting for? View our glass classes below and sign up 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.
Masks are not required but strongly recommended. Disposable masks are available upon arrival. View our COVID-19 Policy here.
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"Kilnworking or kiln forming is the process of fusing or shaping glass (usually in or over a mold) by heating it in a kiln. A 'kiln' is an oven used to process a substance by burning, drying, or heating. In contemporary glassworking, kilns are used to fuse enamel and for kiln-forming processes such as slumping" (Corning Museum of Glass).
At Foci MCGA, we offer a variety of classes to begin exploring kilnforming through.
Kilnforming 1 and Kilnforming 2 focus on fusing and slumping glass.
We also offer Open Faced Casting and Lost Wax Casting, which delve into moldmaking, kilncasting, and coldworking.
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Glassblowing is the art of shaping a mass of molten glass that has been softened by heat by blowing air into it through a metal tube/pipe. The molten glass is collected out of a hot furnace and then manipulated using hand tools, heat, and gravity.
While some elements of heat and gravity may come into play with kilnforming processes, for the most part you will be handling sheets of glass, then manipulating it into desired forms through cutting or fusing. This approach has the ability to be a more accessible and affordable alternative to glassblowing.
These glass processes all differ from one another, but can be combined in a myriad of ways to create a multitude of wonderful effects!
Kilnforming 1
This short introductory course provides an overview of cutting, shaping, and melting sheet glass in a kiln. Through fusing and slumping experiments, participants gain an understanding of how glass reacts to varying temperatures and firing schedules. This class prepares a person for renting Kilns at Foci MCGA and learning the variety of techniques taught in Kilnforming 2. This class will outline several guided projects and test tiles, with the final project being the student’s choice.
No experience required. All materials and tools are provided.
Offered year-round.
4-week course
$375/person
Foci MCGA kilnforming classes provide Bullseye Glass (COE 90) to students.
Please note that grinders are not utilized in this class.
Open Studio ~ Kilnforming
Come join us for Open Studio in the kiln shop! Make small tests, design, or create new work that will be fired that evening with a mentor present to assist you with your project! Each participant will receive an allotment of glass and space in a kiln for fusing and slumping. Large sheets of glass will be available upon request and based on staff’s discretion. Participants may choose a slump mold for their piece to be slumped in by staff later in the week.
Staff will be responsible for handling and cutting full-sized sheet glass.
3 hour session.
Prerequisite: Kilnforming (Fusing & Slumping 1)
$50/person
Check back soon for new dates! Sign up for our email newsletter for class postings.
Kilnforming 2
Add to your fusing and slumping repertoire and expand your kiln knowledge in this intermediate kilnforming course. Learn advanced cutting techniques, how to refine irregular shapes with grinding equipment, create elaborate pattern bars, as well as glass painting, kilncarving, and sandblasting to name a few.
Prerequisite: Completed Kilnforming 1 or equivalent.
All materials are provided.
Offered semiannually.
6-week course
$550/person
Foci MCGA kilnforming classes provide Bullseye Glass (COE 90) to students.
Lost Wax Casting
The lost wax process allows one to create complex cast glass objects utilizing rubber mold making. Participants learn to create simple and complex rubber molds for creating wax replicas and multiples of found objects as well as modifying and sculpting wax positives from scratch. These wax models are transformed into glass by building plaster/silica molds around them, removing the wax with steam, and casting glass into them. The casting process can be a bit tricky and time consuming - working outside of class time is not required, but highly recommended.
No experience required. All materials are provided.
Offered annually.
6-week course
$575/person
Wednesdays 6-9pm
Registration Deadline 2/5/2025
Open Faced Casting
Casting is the process of melting chunks of glass into a mold. In Open Faced Casting participants sculpt clay positives to create a relief tile to build simple 1-part plaster/silica molds around them. Once the mold has set, the positive is removed and the mold is filled with chunks of glass, placed in a kiln, and brought to over 1500°F. At this temperature the glass melts into the negative space of the mold. After completion of this class, one is eligible to rent kilns at Foci MCGA to continue making castings.
No experience required. All materials and tools are provided.
4-week course
$390/person
Check back soon for new dates! Sign up for our email newsletter for class postings.
Looking for our One-Day Glass Art Experiences? Check out our current Glass Discovery offerings here.