Open Studio
Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts is excited to be offering glass open studio sessions for glass artists and students at our nonprofit public-access center! Join us in various studio areas to continue your learning, practice your glass skills, and meet other students and artists. In each studio, students will receive time to make work or practice skills, a mentor will be present to answer questions and give advice, and materials will be covered in an all inclusive, low-cost fee. This program is designed to assist those who have a basic knowledge in glass, but may want some guidance and access to materials.
Create a new project, learn something new, and build community by meeting others who interested in doing the same at Open Studio!
Requirements: Registration is available to those who have completed a level 1 class or has equivalent knowledge. Students must be 14 years old and up to attend.
Masks are not required, but strongly recommended. Disposable masks are available upon arrival. View our COVID-19 Policy here.
Glassblowing 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. This is a great opportunity for new and intermediate glassblowers to work on skills and connect with other artists and find another glassblowing partner!
Prerequisites: Completed Glassblowing 1 or equivalent. Students must be 14 years old and up to attend. Participants are expected to assist other attendees.
3 hour session.
$50/person. The all inclusive fee covers at least one full hour of blow time, additional equipment such as torches and garage (for those who have been trained), a small assortment of color (frit, bar), and the mentor’s time.
Thursday 6-9pm
February 20, 2025
Registration Deadline 2/13/2025
Thursday 6-9pm
March 20, 2025
Registration Deadline 3/13/25
Thursday 6-9pm
April 17, 2025
Registration Deadline 4/10/25
Flameworking Open Studio
Reserve some time on the torch by joining us for Open Studio! Participants will receive three hours of time on the torch, an allotment of clear borosilicate glass, color, and access to a flameworking mentor. We will have a flameworking mentor floating to each torch to answer questions and give suggestions to strengthen your flameworking skills. This is a great opportunity for those who want to learn, practice, and get to know other flame artists! *Please note the lathe will not be available during Open Studio.
Prerequisites: Completed Flameworking 1 or equivalent. Students must be 14 years old and up to attend.
3 hour session.
$50/person. This all inclusive fee covers an allotment of glass, studio rental, kiln annealing, and the mentor’s time.
Saturday 10am-1pm
February 22, 2025
Registration Deadline 2/18/25
Stained Glass Open Studio
Create a suncatcher, small project, or get assistance from a mentor with a larger project. All materials such as copper foil, lead came, solder, and patina, and glass is included. Participants will have the Classroom available as shared work space. A stained glass mentor will be available for guidance if you have any questions about the process or need tips and tricks to enhance your skills. This is the perfect way to spend an evening creating art, learning new techniques, and getting to know other stained glass artists.
Prerequisites: Completed Stained Glass 1 or have taken a Stained Glass Discovery experience. Students must be 14 years old and up to attend.
3 hour session.
$50/person. This all inclusive fee covers studio rental, an allotment of glass, consumables (such as copper foil, lead came, solder, patina), and the mentor’s time.
Friday 6-9pm
February 28, 2025
Registration Deadline 2/24/25
Kilnforming Open Studio
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. Participants will have the Classroom & Kiln Shop available as shared work space. Kiln space will likely be shared. Large sheets of glass may 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.
Prerequisites: Completed Kilnforming 1 or equivalent experience. Students must be 14 years old and up to attend.
3 hour session.
$50/person. This all inclusive fee covers an allotment of glass, a fusing and slumping kiln cycle, and the mentor’s time.