List of Glass Blowing Classes in Louisiana

The state of Louisiana, and especially the artsy city of New Orleans, is a major hub of glass blowing and related glass art techniques.

While the city is most well known for its music, food, and Mardi Gras, it is also a city of glass and glass artists.

The colorful art form pairs well with the bright and bustling New Orleans and is a major attraction for the city’s many annual visitors.

Glass blowing studios outside New Orleans also offer once in a lifetime opportunities to learn from masters of the craft first hand, or watch live demonstrations in real time.

Louisiana’s many classes engage students in traditional glass blowing, lampworking, and nontraditional glass sculpting in hour-long workshops, multiple day workshops, and everything in-between.

Below are 6 of the best glass blowing studios that are offering classes this year and beyond. Whether you want to learn one-on-one with a seasoned professional or with a group of your best friends, there is a class for everyone!

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1) Sanctuary Arts School

• Type: general glass art, glass blowing
• Classes: private, 3 hours per week, 8 week sessions, demonstrations, open studio
• Price: N/A
• Website: https://sanctuaryartsschool.org/
• Telephone: (504) 390-4377
• Location: 423 Lake Street Shreveport, LA 71101

Sanctuary Arts School is dedicated to promoting glass art and other art forms through classes and community outreach.
The school offers intensive classes, demonstrations, and open studio times for glass artists of all skill levels. Regardless of the learning experience you choose, you can rest assured knowing that you will be taught or supervised by experienced glass artists who have obtained master’s degrees and have hundreds of hours of experience.

Intensive classes are perfect for glass artists who are looking to hone their skills. These private courses happen over 8 week sessions, so you get an entire semester’s worth of glass blowing time!

One on one instruction ensures that you work and learn safely and receive the attention necessary to perfect foundational skills and grasp new techniques.

Demonstrations at Sanctuary Arts School allow you to learn through observation. Each demonstration teaches participants the history of glass blowing, the materials and equipment required, and the process of turning molten glass into works of art.

For experienced glass blowers, the school offers open studio time. This is great for artists who do not have their own studio space to practice in. The school’s sliding scale rental fee ensures that everyone can afford an open studio experience.

The classes offered at Sanctuary Arts School are ideal for glass workers of all skill levels. The flexibility of class options and the opportunity to participate in open studio times make Sanctuary Arts School stand out from the rest.

2) New Orleans Glassworks & Printmaking Studio

• Type: general glass art, glass blowing, Venetian sculpture, lampworking
• Classes: small group, four week sessions, 1 day per week, evenings
• Price: N/A
• Website: http://neworleansglassworks.com/
• Telephone: N/A
• Location: 727 Magazine Street New Orleans, Louisiana 70130

The New Orleans Glassworks & Printmaking Studio is an over 25,000 square foot glass blowing facility offering a wide range of beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes.

Hands-on learning programs include 2 hour short courses, 4-6 week extended sessions, and seasonal mini workshops.
Short courses teach the fundamentals of glass blowing in a few short hours, making this option a perfect introductory experience for new glass blowers. Students get to design and create 4 to 6 small glass objects of their choice.

Serious glass artists should consider taking extended sessions at New Orleans Glassworks. These offerings include 4 weeks of instruction in more advanced topics like Venetian glass, sculpture, and stained glass. Venetian glass classes are relatively rare in the United States, so take advantage of this opportunity if you are interested in learning more about this historical glass working process.

Seasonal mini workshops focus on the creation of a small glass object like paper weights, animals, flowers, and ornaments. This option is ideal for beginners, children, and families.

The New Orleans Glassworks & Printmaking Studio can become your go-to glass blowing education center if you live in the New Orleans area. Its unique and varied class offerings will keep you coming back for more. Plus, regardless of your learning style and preferences, the short courses, extended sessions, and mini workshops will teach you techniques you can’t learn anywhere else.

3) Swamp Girl Glass Blowing

• Type: general glass art, glass blowing
• Classes: private, 1-4 hours
• Price: $40-$75
• Website: https://swampgirlglassllc.com/
• Telephone: (985) 710-3873
• Location: 1060 Front Street, Slidell, LA 70458 (32 miles northeast of New Orleans)

Swamp Girl Glass is owned and operated by Solange Ledwith, who has been working with glass since 2002. Ledwith offers glass blowing classes for all skill levels and interests.

Classes at Swamp Girl Glass focus on the fundamentals of glass blowing, and creating beautiful small projects. Ledwith’s private lessons are perfect for beginner glass blowers who need to build confidence working with standard tools and techniques.

The Create Your Own Glass classes are appropriate for people of all ages who want to dive into creating a finished item. Children 8 and up are welcome to attend, making this a great option for creative families!

Choose from a wide range of project ideas like stemless wine glasses, pumpkins, ornaments, and more.

If these class options do not fit your needs, Solange Ledwith is happy to accommodate your interests in one of her Create Your Own Classes. Choose the topics, projects, and people you want to work with to make the experience completely customized to you!

Solange Ledwith’s classes are perfect for people wanting to learn one-on-one at a small studio. The personalization of Ledwith’s classes is really unique, and her experience level is hard to beat.

4) Pollack Glass Studio & Gallery

• Type: general glass art, lampworking
• Classes: small group, weekday, weekend, mornings, afternoons, evenings
• Price: $80-$500
• Website: https://www.pollackglassnola.com/
• Telephone: 504-875-3627
• Location: 4132 Magazine Street New Orleans, LA 70115

Pollack Glass Studio & Gallery in New Orleans, LA, was founded by Andrew Pollack, a lampworking artist who has worked in schools for over 15 years. Pollack’s experience teaching people of all ages means that his classes are safe, educational, and rewarding. 

Pollack offers weekly and monthly in-person and virtual classes for beginner and intermediate glass artists. Classes are categorized by project completed and experience level. Contact Pollack for more information about any prerequisites that may be in place for certain classes. Beginners will enjoy creating beads, pendants, and marbles. 

Intermediate students can learn blowing on a torch, sculpture, fuming, and other more advanced lampworking techniques. 

Check out Pollack Glass Studio & Gallery’s website throughout the year to stay up-to-date on unique class offerings. Guest instructors teach classes at Pollack that you can’t take anywhere else! 

When you’re done with your class, make sure to head to the Gallery portion of Pollack’s Glass Studio to get inspiration from local and national glass artists. The curated gallery changes its pieces often, so visit Pollack Glass Studio & Gallery regularly!

Pollack Glass Studio & Gallery is the only glass working studio in New Orleans to focus on lampworking. If you have been wanting to try this style of glass art out for yourself, this is the perfect place to learn!

5) Rosetree Blown Glass Studio & Gallery

• Type: general glass art, glass blowing, design
• Classes: small group, virtual
• Price: $200
• Website: https://rosetreegallery.com/
• Telephone: 504-366-3602
• Location: 446 Vallette St. New Orleans, LA 70114

Rosetree Blown Glass Studio & Gallery is owned and operated by Mark Rosenbaum, who specializes in creative and sculptural glass techniques. Rosenbaum became the first recipient of a master’s degree in glass blowing from Tulane University and remains a leader in glass artistry in Louisiana. 

With over 40 years of experience, learning under Rosenbaum will be a highlight of a new glass blower’s career. Blow Your Own Glass experiences will resume after the pandemic is over, but Rosenbaum is currently offering another unique learning opportunities. 

The Design Your Own Glass Art experience allows students to design a glass piece from the comfort and safety of their own homes! Work with Mark Rosenbaum to design your own vase and watch it come to life on Facebook Live. 

Students get to choose from dozens of shapes and colors. At the end of the program, the vase you designed will be shipped to you. 

This experience is a great way to learn about the glass design process and see the many steps it takes to create a one-of-a-kind vase.

Rosetree Blown Glass Studio & Gallery is the place to learn from one of the most experienced glass blowers in the South. Rosenbaum is a top-notch artist who offers some amazing opportunities to learn about design and the glass blowing process first hand.

 6) Young Aspirations Young Artists (YAYA) Art Center

• Type: general glass art, glass blowing, demonstrations
• Classes: private, 2 hour sessions
• Price: N/A
• Website: https://www.yayainc.org/
• Telephone: 504.529.3306
• Location: 3322 LaSalle Street New Orleans, LA 70115

Young Aspirations Young Artists or YAYA Art Center seeks to empower youth through the arts. The organization was founded in 1988 and functions in after school and community outreach capacities and has recently expanded its programming to include an arts campus. 

YAYA offers 2 hour private glass blowing classes and free glass blowing demonstrations. Demonstrations happen once a month and are open to all ages. 

Classes can be scheduled to fit your life and interests. Beginner and intermediate students would benefit from private classes to hone their skills and learn new techniques. 

The Young Aspirations Young Artists Art Center caters to high schoolers and has a strong vision for the future. If you or someone you know is a young artist, taking classes or participating in demonstrations at YAYA is a perfect foundation for future work in the arts.