During your Paperweight Glass Discovery, you will work one-on-one with a professional glass instructor to make a solid glass globe sculpture.

Our instructors will explain the safety, equipment, and tools that glassblowers use every day to create their art. Participants will have the glassblowing process demonstrated and explained to them, and then one at a time will be coached through the steps of creating a beautiful, colorful paperweight of their own. This hands-on process will include collecting color onto the surface of molten glass and shaping it with a variety of specialty tools while sitting at the glassblower’s bench. Not comfortable with some of the steps or equipment involved in hot glass making? Fear not, our instructors will adapt to your level of comfort in the hotshop to ensure a wonderful experience. Due to hot glass needing to be cooled at a slow rate over at least 12 hours, completed pieces will be ready for pickup the week following your Glass Discovery. Please note that although you will be glassblowing, this class does not require placing mouths onto the glassblowing pipes since the sculpture is solid and requires no air.

No experience required and all materials are provided.

2 hour duration.

Sessions scheduled with up to 4 students at a time. For larger group experiences, check out our Glass Socials.

Keep in mind that the glassblowing hotshop will be particularly hot and humid June-August. Individuals sensitive to the heat should opt for a kiln or flameworking experience.

After you complete the booking, you will receive an additional confirmation email from administrative staff within 48 hours confirming all the necessary details for your visit.

- Refunds: Foci MCGA does not fully refund any classes. A 50-percent refund will be given for cancellations made at least 14 days before the start of class. No refund will be given after that time. If you need to cancel, please email contact@mnglassart.org or call 612-759-8476. If it is necessary for us to cancel a class for any reason, a full refund will be given.
- Rescheduling: If you would like to transfer your registration to another class/class date, a request must be made in writing at least 14 days prior to the scheduled activity. A transfer fee will incur. Class transfers are NOT guaranteed and are dependent on enrollment availability of the class you seek to transfer into. In the case that your request cannot be accommodated, the above stated refund policy will apply.
- Studio Closures & Weather Policy: The studio shall be closed when the Executive Director judges the risk to the health and safety of studio clientele and staff be at risk. This judgement is based upon observations of conditions, local school closings, the State of Minnesota or City of Minneapolis emergency declarations, and the Minnesota DOT Road reports. In the event Foci MCGA is closed due to inclement weather, clients will be notified at the phone number they provided when booking services. If the phone call is not answered a message will be left and an e-mail will be sent. Clients will not be charge for missed rental/class time. Clients may choose to rebook time without penalty or to be refunded for prepaid services.
Arrival: If you are over 15 minutes late to your Discovery, you will have to reschedule your session for a later date and pay the rescheduling fee.
Location: 2213 Snelling Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404
We are located on the corner next to Solcana Fitness and across the street from the Growing Lots Urban Farm. Our entrance is facing E 22nd St, beside a garage door and a small parking lot that is available for you to use. Additional parking is available on the surrounding streets. Disability parking available in the lot. One block away from Hwy 55/Hiawatha Ave. Two blocks away from the entrance to I-94. Two blocks to Franklin Lightrail Station.
Metro Transit: Nearest bus stops are #56504 (22nd St E & Cedar AveS) and #16444 (Minnehaha Ave S & 22nd St E), both on Route 9. Both stops are within a five minute walk from the studio.
Age: Full age requirement guidelines can be found here.
- Minors ages 9-13 are allowed to participate with the presence of a parent/guardian.
- Minors ages 14-17 are allowed to work independently with parent’s permission (signed guardian release form on file).
- Open to adults of any age
Waivers: All students and parents of minor students are required to read and sign a waiver, which indicates all of the safety risks involved with glassmaking and provides contact information.
Adult Liability Release
Minor Liability Release
Health: It is the responsibility of the student to take care of themselves if they possess any health or cognitive conditions that could be affected by working in Foci MCGA’s facilities. It is the responsibility of the student to notify staff of such conditions, should it affect their health and impair regular studio operations.
Impairment: Students are not permitted to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol during class.
Clothing: Please wear comfortable cotton clothing that can get dirty and avoid items made from highly synthetic materials. Participants may want to consider wearing a breathable long sleeve shirt to protect their arms from heat. Shorts must be longer for protection during hot glass experiences. Please wear closed toe shoes that cover the foot entirely (no crocs or sandals). You may want to bring something to drink as the studio can get hot and the work can be strenuous. Our studio also has a water fountain. Foci MCGA will provide safety glasses, but you are welcome to bring your own.
Code of Conduct: Foci MCGA does not permit disrespectful conduct toward its members, guests, employees, vendors or property. Studio users are expected to treat Foci MCGA staff and others utilizing or patronizing Foci MCGA facilities with courtesy and respect. Failure to comply may result in the studio user’s permanent removal from access to any and all Foci MCGA facilities.
Anti-Discrimination: Foci MCGA has a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination or harassment because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, public assistance, age, sexual orientation, familial status, or local human rights commission activity.

Click here to schedule using your Groupon voucher

Current Foci MCGA Members receive a 25% discount on Paperweight and Kiln Fusing Glass Discoveries. Simply apply the code MEMBERSDISCOVER25 at checkout. To purchase a membership, go here. Not valid on Seasonal Discovery classes. Limited to 1 purchase annually. Before your order is processed your membership expiration date will be checked to ensure you qualify. If you do not have a membership, your order will be refunded and your seats will not be reserved.