Glass Studio Rentals, Services, and Pricing
Foci MCGA features a fully equipped hot shop facility, with space and equipment for kiln work, neon, fusing, coldworking, and sandcasting. Whether you are a pro or just getting started, we can accommodate you with our glass studio rentals in Minneapolis, MN!
To reserve studio shop time, qualified renters can visit our reservation system:
Cold Shop, Classroom, & Mold Room Reservations
Online Hot Shop reservations must be made in 3 hour increments. Shorter sessions may be available for day-of reservations. Call the studio to find out: 612-759-8476
All glass studio rental time is paid for at the studio when you check in for your reservation. Please bring your own consumable items and materials.
Hot Shop
(4) Glory Holes (Benches #1-#3 have a 16” diameter, Bench #4 has a 24” diameter). *During the hottest months, rental is limited to two benches for heat management.
(2) 400lb capacity furnace; molten glass is always ready to use (Bomma Cullet 96 COE)
(4) Annealers (36”w x 27”h x 29”d)
See kiln pricing section for extra annealing space or longer programs
(2) Pick-up ovens (can be used to preheat color bar)
(2) Garages
(1) Powder Ventilation Booth *required for powder usage in the studio
Oxy-GasTorches (Ranger and Mid-Range)
Gas Bench Torches (Fluffy Torch)
Hand tools
Optic molds
Pipes and punties
Wood blocks
Gloves, protective sleeves, and sanitized safety glasses
Studio users are required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment specific to the activity while working: Safety glasses, non-flammable clothing (cotton), closed-toed shoes. For loading into the kiln: use kevlar gloves or sleeves with tongs, face shield, welding jacket. Powder booth is required when using powdered glass color in the Hot Shop. PPE may be checked out from Foci MCGA staff.
| Glassblowing Pricing | Member |
Non-Member |
Hot Shop Rental (16" Glory Hole) |
$48/hr | $66/hr |
Hot Shop Rental (24" Glory Hole) |
$53/hr | $70/hr |
Hot Glass Students |
$24/hr | $24/hr |
Garage |
$5.50/hr | $10/hr |
Extra Glass Usage (more than 5 lbs/hr) |
$5/lb | $10/lb |
Bench Torch |
$3/hr | $5/hr |
Oxy-Gas Torch |
$5.50/hr | $10/hr |
Hot Shop Safety Orientation (1 hr) |
$24/person | $24/person |
For hot popping and flame polishing glassblown pieces, studio users should rent the Flame Shop. See pricing below.
For casting in the hotshop, see pricing below.
Flame & Neon Shop
Flameworking
(6) Bethlehem Burners Minor/Major torches- “The Stacks”
(1) Small flameworking kiln
(1) Large flameworking kiln
(1) Scientific Lathe *requires safety orientation with Studio Tech
Assorted mandrels for beadmaking (bring your own bead release)
Consumables available for purchase on-site:
Borosilicate Rod (4mm, 6mm, 8mm, 12mm, 12.7mm, 26mm)
Borosilicate Tube (26mm)
Blow Hoses, Swivels, & Adaptors
Neon
(4) 17” Ribbon burners
(1) Cannon-fire
Tube Pumping Services: (by reservation only, subject to availability)
by reservation only, no walk-ins
Consumables available for purchase on-site:
Transformers, Endcaps, Electrodes, GTO (per foot), Soft Glass Tubes
Studio users are required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment specific to the activity while working: Didymium glasses, closed-toed shoes, non-flammable clothing (cotton). Glasses may be checked out from Foci MCGA staff.
| Flameworking Pricing | Member |
Non-Member |
Minor Torch |
$13/hr | $22/hr |
Major Torch |
$19/hr | $30/hr |
Smith Mini/Hot Popping |
$2/hour | $4/hour |
Scientific Lathe |
$24/hour | $35/hour |
Flameworking Student Rental |
$10/hour Major Torch
$7/hour Minor Torch |
$10/hour Major Torch
$7/hour Minor Torch |
Hot Popping/Flame Polishing |
$2.50/hour Ranger Torch
$5/hour Multimix Torch |
$4.50/hour Ranger Torch
$9/hour Multimix Torch |
Flame Shop Safety Orientation (1 hr) |
$24/person | $24/person |
Lathe Safety Orientation (1.5-2 hr) |
$35/person | $35/person |
| Neon Pricing | Member |
Non-Member |
Neon Torch Rental |
$13/hr | $22/hr |
Neon Student Rental |
$7/hour | $7/hour |
Tube Pumping Deposit |
$8 | $8 |
Tube Pumping |
$20 | $38 |
Mercury Tube Pumping |
$28 | $46 |
Neon Safety Orientation (1 hr) |
$24/person | $24/person |
Cold Shop
Renters are welcome to use the shared tools and equipment provided in these spaces, but are required to bring their own consumable materials such as duct tape. Studio users are expected to wear appropriate personal protection equipment.
(2) Loose grit flatting wheels
(1) 24” magnetic pad flatting wheel
(1) 4 station - 12” magnetic pad flatting machine
(1) Cutting lathe
(1) Handheld die grinder
(2) Wet saws
(1) Upright belt sander
(1) Sandblaster
(1) Tabletop wire saw
(6) Tabletop flat glass grinders
(2) Engraving lathes *requires safety orientation with Studio Tech
Consumables available for purchase on-site:
Cerium
Studio users are required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment specific to the activity while working: clear safety glasses, closed-toed shoes, ear protection, no dangling clothing or jewelry. Vinyl apron and waterproof footwear is recommended. Dust mask or respirator is recommended when using sandblaster. Latex, nitrile, or rubber gloves must be worn when handling liquid solvents, adhesives, etching creams, etc. safety glasses and ear protection may be checked out from Foci MCGA staff.
Member |
Non-Member |
|
Equipment Rental |
$13/hr | $24/hr |
Cerium (3 oz) |
$10 for 3oz | $10 for 3oz |
Coldshop Safety Orientation (1 hr) |
$24/person | $24/person |
Engraving Lathe Safety Orientation (1.5-2 hr) |
$35/person | $35/person |
Classroom & Mold Room
Renters are welcome to use the shared tools provided in these spaces, but are required to bring their own consumable materials like glass, adhesives, tape, etc.
Classroom work tables are available for flat glass cutting, gluing and assembling, and set up and preparation. Renters should supply their own glass and consumables.
The Mold Room is available for rental and is well equipped with moldmaking and wax working tools. Renters should supply their own moldmaking materials such as plaster.
The Cold Shop work table may be available to rent under certain circumstances.
Sanitized safety glasses are available for use, as well as shared tools and tables
The Kiln Room work table is available to rent under the Kiln Shop Calendar.
Studio users are required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment specific to the activity while working: dust mask or particulate respirator must be used when mixing dry mold material. Mixing must be done in the Mold Room powder booth. Latex, nitrile, or rubber gloves must be worn when handling liquid mold materials. Safety glasses must be used when handling glass. An apron is recommended. Latex, nitrile, or rubber gloves must be worn when handling liquid solvents, adhesives, etching creams, etc.
Member |
Non-Member |
|
Work Table Rental |
$13/hr | $24/hr |
Mold Room Safety Orientation (1 hr) |
$24/person | $24/person |
Kiln Shop
(1) Rectangular top loading kiln with top and side elements for fusing and casting
Denver (41” x 27” x 15”)
(2) Oval top loading kilns with top and side elements for fusing and casting
Oval 1 & 2 (41” x 22.5” x 11.25”)
(1) Octagon top loading kiln with side elements for fusing and casting
Octagon (17” x 17” x 21”)
(1) Front loading Paragon kiln with top elements for fusing and casting
Paragon (24” x 24” x 15”)
(1) Round top loading Jen-Ken Kiln with side elements for fusing and small castings
Test Kiln (14.5” x 14.5” x 5.5”)
Consumables available for purchase on-site:
Bullseye Thin Fire Paper (20.5” x 20.5” sheet)
Studio users are required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment specific to the activity while working: safety glasses, gloves are recommended when handling glass, closed-toed shoes, dust mask or particulate respirator required when preparing kiln shelves and using powders, and sifting sand. Letter gloves, protective sleeves, and face shield required when charging a kiln or manipulating glass at a high temp.
Member |
Non-Member |
|
Denver, Oval 1 & 2, Octagon, and ParagonFusing or Casting *Program must be approved by staff* | $3/hr |
$4.20/hr |
Test Kiln |
$24 for 24 hours | $37 for 24 hours |
Fuse & Slump Combo |
$60 per cycle | $100 per cycle |
Bullseye ThinFire (20"x20") | $12/sheet |
$12/sheet |
Kiln Shop Safety Orientation (1 hr) |
$24/person | $24/person |
Hot Casting Rental
Hot Casting Reservations must be approved by staff 1 week prior to rental to ensure proper glass supply and staffing.
Base rental prices includes 1 workstation, 1 furnace at 2250°, ⅕ annealer space per 3 hours, access to sand and graphite slabs and ladles.
Renters are required to pay for all glass used. Castings and ladle waste will be weighed by staff and renter will be invoiced.
A personal annealer is required for sand casting or if needing extra space or an extended annealing program, cleaning fee may apply.
A staff assistant may be required depending on team size/renter’s experience level.
Member |
Non-Member |
|
Studio & Equipment Rental |
$48/hr |
$66/hr |
Glass |
$5/lb |
$10/lb |
Personal annealer |
$3/hour $42 for 24 hours |
$4.20/hour $60 for 24 hours |
Oxy Acetylene Torch |
$2.50/hr |
$4/hr |
Staff Assistant |
$26.40/hour |
$26.40/hour |