List of Glass Casting Classes in the USA & UK
Glass casting is the process of creating glass objects by setting molten glass in handmade molds.
This art form is ideal for those interested in glass sculpture and design methods. Because glass casting requires you to create your own molds, the design possibilities are endless.
While glass blowing and flameworking are two of the most popular methods of glassworking, glass casting is a great alternative for those who want to work with hot glass but prefer to work with molds rather than many tools.
There are plenty of high-quality glass casting classes in the USA and UK that are appropriate for beginner, intermediate, and advanced glass artists.
The following are some of the top places in the USA and the UK to learn glass casting and related methods.
- Basic Lampwork Starter Kit for beginners. 2 hours of instructional video on DVD, plus full email...
- (Requires disposable propane or Mapp Gas canister. or bulk tank propane with hose.)
- Please use saftey lenses and adequate ventilation when lampworking.
Glass Casting Classes in the USA
1) The Crucible
- Type: Glass Casting
- Classes: small group, weekdays, weekends
- Price: Contact for pricing information
- Website: https://www.thecrucible.org/departments/glass-casting-coldworking/
- Telephone: (510) 444-0919
- Location: 1260 7th St. Oakland, CA 94607
The Crucible is the largest arts non profit in the United States. The center opened in 1999 and includes 56,000 square feet of creative space. Close to 200 faculty members teach students welding, blacksmithing, glass casting, and much more.
Glass casting classes at The Crucible are organized by skill level. Kiln Casting Glass Sculpture I is appropriate for beginner glass artists. Students learn wax sculpting techniques to create wax positives. The molds are then de-waxed to create a void and filled with melted glass.
Kiln Casting Glass Sculpture II: Reverse Relief teaches intermediate students how to create images that are visible in glass. Students carve hardened plastic-silica and melt glass into it to achieve a one of a kind image.
2) Pratt Fine Arts Center
- Type: Glass Casting
- Classes: small group
- Price: Contact for pricing information
- Website: https://www.pratt.org/category-listing.php?id=96
- Telephone: (206) 328-2200
- Location: 1902 S. Main St. Seattle, WA 98144
Pratt Fine Arts Center is one of the top art education nonprofits in the United States. Pratt was founded in 1976 and has some of the best glass blowing, bead making, kiln glass, and glass casting classes in the country. The Center also boasts experienced teaching faculty who have trained under top glass artists from Corning, NY and the Pilchuck School.
Classes for 2022 are still in the works, so be sure to check Pratt Fine Arts Center’s website for updates or contact the Center directly for more information on upcoming glass casting opportunities.
3) UrbanGlass
- Type: Glass Casting
- Classes: small group, weekdays, weekends, evenings, multiple sessions
- Price: $560
- Website: https://urbanglass.org/
- Telephone: (718) 625-3685
- Location: 647 Fulton St. Brooklyn, NY 11217
UrbanGlass is a 17,000 square foot arts facility located in Brooklyn. The space features a hot shop, cold shop, kiln room, flameworking studio, and mold room.
Glass casting classes at UrbanGlass teach students of all experience levels the process of glass casting from start to finish. The upcoming Alginate Kilncasting class is a great introduction to glass casting techniques.
In the course, students will learn how to make an alginate mold. Creating wax and making a wax mold is also covered. Students will finish the course by casting their own glass creations in a kiln.
The Alginate Kilncasting course is taught by Kellie Krause, a mixed media artist who graduated from New York University. Her work has been shown in New York, Berlin, and San Francisco.
4) Morean Arts Center
- Type: Glass Casting
- Classes: small group, weekdays, evenings, multiple class sessions
- Price: $362-$425 (discount is available for Morean Arts Center members)
- Website: https://moreanartscenter.org/classes/beginning-glass-casting/
- Telephone: (727) 822-7872
- Location: 719 Central Ave. St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Morean Arts Center was founded in 1917 as the Art Club of St Petersburg. In 1972, the Club merged with the Arts Center Association. The Center was renamed to Morean Arts Center in 2005.
Since its foundation in 1917, the Center has grown to become one of the premier glass destinations in Florida. The Center includes the Chihuly Collection, which features Dale Chihuly’s works and process through glass classes and demonstrations.
Glass casting glasses at Morean Arts Center are taught by Kelsey Wright. She has been working with glass for over five years.
Class options include clay and wax forming, open face casting, and lost wax casting. For more information on upcoming class dates, visit Morean Arts Center’s website or contact them directly.
5) Bloomington Creative Glass Center
- Type: Glass Casting
- Classes: small group, weekdays, weekends, afternoons, evenings, 3 days
- Price: $180
- Website: http://bloomingtoncreativeglasscenter.org/
- Telephone: (812) 369-4777
- Location: 229 W. Grimes Ln. Bloomington, IN 47413
Bloomington Creative Glass Center (BCGC) is a glass art non profit that opened in 2011. The Center is owned and operated by Abby Gitlitz. She offers a wide range of glass art classes using methods such as glass blowing, stained glass, and glass casting.
Glass casting classes at BCGC are appropriate for beginners of all ages and teach students the basics of making plaster molds.
The multiple day classes allow students to experiment with different molds to create one of a kind finished items. The final class session is dedicated to unveiling finished artwork and adding finishing touches.
6) The Washington Glass School
- Type: Glass Casting
- Classes: small group, weekdays, evenings, multiple class sessions
- Price: $700
- Website: http://washingtonglassschool.com/school
- Telephone: (202) 744-8222
- Location: 3700 Otis St. Mt. Rainier, MD 20712
The Washington Glass School is one of the best places to learn glass art in the Washington DC area! The School is owned and operated by Tim Tate and Erwin Timmers. Their team of expert glass artists provide a wide range of glass classes for beginner, intermediate, and advanced learners.
Beginner glass casting classes teach all the basics of glass casting so students can gain confidence in the craft. Classes cover the different types of glass used for casting and introduce students to simple plaster mold making.
Contact Washington Glass School directly for more information on upcoming beginner glass casting sessions.
7) Ghost Pepper Glass
- Type: Glass Casting
- Classes: small group, 1 hour sessions, child friendly
- Price: $160
- Website: https://ghostpepperglass.com/
- Telephone: (512) 766-5897
- Location: 979 Springdale Rd. #100 Austin, TX 78702
Ghost Pepper Glass is a public glassworking studio in Austin Texas. It is owned and operated by Shara Funari.
Funari offers a beginner level Intro to Sand Casting course that is perfect for the whole family. Students create a basic mold using an item of their choice and fill the impression left behind with molten glass.
Because of the simplicity and length of the class (one hour) this option is ideal for those who are brand new to glass casting and interested in learning the very basics.
Glass Casting Classes in the UK
1) The Glass Hub
- Type: Glass Casting
- Classes: small group, weekdays, multiple days, full day
- Price: £675
- Website: https://theglasshub.com/
- Telephone: 01225 768888
- Location: Stowford Manor Farm Wingfield Wiltshire BA14 9LH
The Glass Hub is a glassworking studio in Wiltshire offering glassblowing, lampworking, fusing, and glass casting classes.
The studio is offering intermediate to advanced glass casting class this summer called Collage for Kiln Casting. Students will learn to create rubber molds and designs inspired by geometry. Smaller casts will be emphasized to allow time for experimentation.
This class will be taught by Georgia Redpath, a glass artist inspired by geometric forms. She has a studio at Ruskin Glass Centre.
2) Angela Jarman
- Type: Glass Casting
- Classes: small group, 3-4 days, full day
- Price: £450-£600
- Website: https://www.angelajarman.com/learning
- Telephone: 07974 332585
- Location: 35 Hydeway Welwyn Garden City Herts AL7 3UQ
Angela Jarman is a glass artist with over 20 years of experience. She earned her master’s degree from Royal College of Art in 2001 and has a passion for teaching.
Jarman is a visiting lecturer at Royal College of Art and has hosted masterclasses in the UK and France. When she isn’t traveling or lecturing, Jarman teaches glass casting classes from her studio. These classes are 3-4 days long and are perfect for any skill level.
Students learn how to create alginate, rubber, and silicone molds. Refractory mold making is also covered. More advanced students can learn core casting. This option includes an additional class day for mold making and setting cores.
3) Richmond & Hillcroft Adult Community College (RHACC)
- Type: Glass Casting
- Classes: small group, 12 week sessions, weekdays, evenings
- Price: £395
- Website: https://www.rhacc.ac.uk/course/creative-glass-beginners
- Telephone: 020 8891 5907
- Location: Parkshot Richmond TW9 2RE
Richmond & Hillcroft Adult Community College, or RHACC is one of nine adult learning institutes in the UK. The College opened in 2017 after a merger of the Richmond Adult and Community College and Hillcroft College. Richmond Adult and Community College first opened in 1896.
RHACC is offering a Beginner Creative Glass class that introduces students to fusing, slumping, open mold, and lost wax casting techniques. Specific skills covered include cutting glass, using different styles of glass, and making molds. Students are also taught the properties of hot glass and how it transforms in the kiln.
Students learn through demonstrations and group and individual instruction, but experimentation is strongly emphasized. Over the course of 12 weeks, participants will gain confidence in a range of historical and modern glassworking techniques.
This is an awesome, affordable option for adventurous beginners who are curious about glass casting and other forms of hot glass methods. Enroll for the course online or contact RHACC for more information.
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