List of Glass Blowing Classes in Kentucky
Kentucky is perhaps best known for the Kentucky Derby. What you may not know is just how closely linked glass making and the Derby actually are.
The mint julep glass is a collectible item that fans of the Kentucky Derby horse race are eager to collect. The tradition of the decorated mint julep glass started in 1938 after Derby workers were unable to stop visitors from stealing glasses.
The Derby figured they could make more money by selling mint julep glasses as souvenirs. Today, early glasses are highly valued for their unique designs.
Kentucky Derby glasses aren’t the only way Kentucky natives and visitors interact with decorative glassware. Glass blowing is one of the most popular forms of art in the state. The city of Louisville alone is home to most of the glass blowing classes available in Kentucky.
The following are the best places to learn glass blowing in Kentucky this year. They include public and private studios with options for most skill levels.
- 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.
1) Flame Run
- Type: general glass art, glass blowing
- Classes: small group, blow-your-own, 1-3 days, 3 hours
- Price: $40-$700
- Website: https://flamerun.com/
- Telephone: (502) 584-5353
- Location: 815 W. Market St. Louisville, KY 40202
Flame Run is the largest glass blowing studio of its kind in the Midwest. It is owned and operated by Brook Forrest White, Jr. His experience includes an apprenticeship with glass artist Stephen Rolfe Powell.
Flame Run offers a few class types for beginner, intermediate, and advanced glass artists. Blow-your-own sessions are a great introduction to blowing glass and are safe and fun for all ages.
Choose to create paperweights, ornaments, pumpkins, bourbon glasses, bowls, vases, and more.
More in-depth instruction is also available. Introductory classes run for 1 to 3 days and last for up to 3 hours per day. Students perfect basic skills to create paperweights and simple blown objects. The types of projects completed depend on an individual’s level of experience.
2) Fire Studio & Gallery
- Type: general glass art, glass blowing
- Classes: small group, blow-your-own
- Price: $40-$65
- Website: https://firestudioandgallery.com/
- Telephone: (502) 690-7014
- Location: 11300 Westport Rd. Suite 400 Louisville, KY 40241
Fire Studio & Gallery opened in 2014 and is one of several glass studios located in Louisville. The studio is owned by Mike Hudson. He offers blow-your-own classes that are perfect for all ages and skill levels.
Choose from a variety of projects like hearts, bowls, and seasonal objects like ornaments, pumpkins, and snowmen.
3) Weston Glass Studio
- Type: general glass art, glass blowing
- Classes: small group, workshops, demonstrations
- Price: $85-$130
- Website: https://www.westonglassgallery.org/
- Telephone: (859) 985-0150
- Location: 217 Adams St. Berea, KY 40403
Weston Glass Studio is owned and operated by Michelle Weston. She learned the craft in college and has a graduate degree in glass. Her education and over 30 years of experience blowing glass make her a great person to learn from.
Weston offers classes, workshops, and demonstrations at her studio. The best way to learn more about upcoming events like these is by calling her directly.
4) Hyland Glass
- Type: general glass art, glass blowing
- Classes: small group, weekends, blow-your-own
- Price: $50-$90
- Website: https://hylandglass.com/
- Telephone: (502) 384-2569
- Location: 721 E. Washington St. Louisville, KY 40202
Hyland Glass is owned and operated by Casey Hyland and Melanie Miller. Hyland has worked at some of the best craft schools nationwide, including Pilchuck, Penland, and Corning.
Miller is the creative director of Hyland Glass and has a passion for the visual arts. The studio opened in 2002.
Visitors can make their very own pumpkins and ornaments during the studio’s blow-your-own weekend classes. Sign ups and more information can be found on Hyland Glass’s website.