List of Glass Blowing Classes in Virginia
As one of the original Thirteen Colonies, Virginia is a state seeped in history. Virginia boasts the longest history of glass production in the United States.
The first glass blowers operated out of a glass house in the settlement of Jamestown in 1608. Glass artists from the Netherlands, Germany, and Poland arrived in Jamestown with the hopes of creating a booming glass business in the new settlement.
The glass house at Jamestown included several furnaces and space to work hot glass. While hopes were high that glass manufacturing would take off, it never did.
The Jamestown glass house ceased its operations only a few years after starting. Another failed attempt at glass blowing occurred in the 1620s.
Despite the early failures of Virginia’s first settlers, glass is an extremely popular medium for artists across the state today, who find success creating one of a kind items and teaching classes.
If you are interested in learning to blow glass for yourself, there are many studios, museums, and organizations offering high quality glass art classes and workshops in Virginia this year. Here’s our roundup of the best glass classes offered this year in the state of Virginia!
- 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) Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts
- Type: general glass art, fused glass
- Classes: small group, weekdays, weekends, mornings, afternoons, evenings, 1 hour, child-friendly
- Price: $60
- Website: https://suffolkcenter.org/
- Telephone: (757) 923-0003
- Location: 110 W. Finney Ave. Suffolk, VA 23434 (37 miles west of Virginia Beach)
The Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts is a visual and performing arts organization that opened in 2006. It aims to share art in all forms with the community.
The Center offers classes in a variety of mediums for people of all ages. Glass classes have previously been offered in 2021 and will likely be offered again in the near future.
For more information on upcoming glass classes at Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, visit the organization’s website or give them a call.
2) Stafford Art Glass
- Type: general glass art, glass blowing
- Classes: small group, weekends, weekdays, afternoons, evenings, 1-2 days, full day, 1 hour, child-friendly
- Price: $30-$475
- Website: https://staffordartglass.com/
- Telephone: (540) 605-0034
- Location: 8685 Virginia Ave. Newport, VA 24128
Stafford Art Glass is owned and operated by Parker Stafford, a glass artist who has been working since 1994. He prides himself on providing quality glass blowing education for people of all ages. Regardless of the type of class you sign up for, Stafford will take the time to work with you one on one.
Classes at Stafford Art Glass are organized by project type and intensity level. Families and beginners should consider signing up for project-based classes. These opportunities cover the basics of glass blowing and allow participants to create paperweights, ornaments, pumpkins, and other small items.
Intensive classes are ideal for adventurous beginners who want a more comprehensive introduction to blowing glass. Participants can choose between one and two day intensive options. Topics covered include workshop safety, color application, and basic techniques.
Intensive students learn to create their own small items and vessels.
3) Chrysler Museum of Art
- Type: general glass art, glass blowing, glass fusing
- Classes: small group, private, open studio, weekdays, weekends, evenings, 3 hour sessions
- Price: $48-$275
- Website: https://chrysler.org/glass/glass-studio-classes-and-workshops/
- Telephone: (757) 333-6299
- Location: One Memorial Place Norfolk, VA 23510 (~20 miles west of Virginia Beach)
The Chrysler Museum of Art first opened in 1933 and consists of 50 galleries with thousands of artifacts. The Museum offers classes that are appropriate for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students.
The Museum offers classes in a variety of formats that cater to different learning styles and preferences. Small group classes for glass artists of all skill levels can be found on the Museum’s website. Currently, a few beginner and advanced classes are available.
The beginner class teaches students basic shaping and color application. Students create their own Easter eggs to take home.
Advanced students learn cane pulling, which a technique used for glass vessels and other decorative and functional items.
Check back on the Chrysler Museum of Art’s website for more updated class offerings in 2022.
4) The Glass Spot
- Type: general glass art, glass blowing
- Classes: small group, demonstrations, private
- Price: $30-$640
- Website: https://www.richmondglassspot.com/
- Telephone: N/A
- Location: 2309 N. Lombardy St. Suite A Richmond, VA 23220
The Glass Spot is owned and operated by Chris Skibbe, who has been working with glass since 1994. He opened The Glass Spot in 2007 and has taught hundreds of students since opening his studio.
The Glass Spot is the only public access glass studio in Richmond and the surrounding area. Skibbe offers public and private classes and demonstrations that are appropriate for all experience levels.
Participants work alongside their instructor to create a wide range of projects such as pumpkins, ornaments, apples, pears, eggs, hearts, paperweights, glasses, flowers, and vases.
A unique feature of The Glass Spot’s classes is that students get to create more than one finished item. For example, participants can make up to 20 ornaments! Make sure to read through the “online booking” page of The Glass Spot’s website for more information on crafting multiple projects.
5) Sunspots Studios
- Type: general glass art, glass blowing
- Classes: small group, demonstrations, weekdays, weekends, afternoons, child-friendly
- Price: $50-$55
- Website: https://www.sunspots.com/
- Telephone: (540) 885-0678
- Location: 202 S. Lewis St. Staunton, VA 24401
Sunspots Studios is owned and operated by Doug and Caroline Sheridan. The studio offers public blow-your-own opportunities and live glass blowing demonstrations on weekdays and weekends.
Blow-your-own experiences are fantastic for families and children. Learn the basics of blowing glass and assist a glass blower in making an ornament. Participants get to choose from a range of preselected colors. This experience only takes 10-15 minutes.
Live glass blowing demonstrations are a good way to learn more about glass blowing from a distance. Visitors can ask the glass blowers questions while they work and can purchase items blown in studio.
6) The Glass Palette Interactive Glass Art Studio
- Type: general glass art, glass fusing
- Classes: small group, walk-ins, weekdays, weekends, child-friendly
- Price: $85-$175
- Website: http://theglasspalette.net/
- Telephone: (434) 997-9009
- Location: 1304 E. Market St. Ste. W. Charlottesville, VA 22902
The Glass Palette Interactive Glass Art Studio is owned and operated by mother and daughter duo Maria and Cara DiMassimo. The pair offers walk-in glass fusing experiences and classes for people of all ages and skill levels.
Classes at The Glass Palette are organized into Introductory workshops and project-based classes. Introductory workshops teach students the fundamentals of glass fusing like glass cutting, tool use, fusing, and slumping.
Project options include jewelry, dishes, platters, enamel painting, and more.
7) Workhouse Arts Center
- Type: general glass art, glass fusing, flameworking
- Classes: small group, weekdays, weekends, mornings, afternoons, evenings, single day sessions, multiple week sessions
- Price: $65-$255
- Website: https://www.workhousearts.org/visual-arts-classes
- Telephone: (703) 584-2900
- Location: 9518 Workhouse Way Lorton, VA 22079
Workhouse Arts Center opened in 2008 at the location of a former prison. The unique arts center aims to promote visual and performing arts in its community and offers educational programming, performances, and community engagement opportunities.
Students interested in hot glass art can sign up for glass fusing and flameworking classes at Workhouse Arts Center. The classes are appropriate for complete beginners.
Classes are mostly project-based, meaning students learn the particular skills required to complete individual projects. Choose to make beads, pendants, marbles, ornaments, and more. Techniques-based classes are also available and teach skills such as borosilicate flameworking.
Independent study opportunities are also available for more experienced glassworkers. Use the Center’s tools and workspace to create your own works of art.
8) Historic Jamestowne
- Type: glass blowing
- Classes: demonstrations
- Price: Contact or visit website for more information
- Website: https://www.nps.gov/jame/planyourvisit/glasshouse.htm
- Telephone: (757) 229-2437
- Location: 1368 Colonial Parkway Jamestown, VA 23081
Historic Jamestowne is part of the Colonial National Historical Park in Virginia. Visitors to the park can view the remains of the original furnaces used by glass blowers in the Jamestown settlement.
While the original furnaces from the early 1600s are no longer in use, visitors can witness glass blowing re-enactors using modern furnaces in a reconstructed glass house. The glass blowers of Jamestown create items used in the 17th century, such as bottles, pitchers, and candle holders.
9) Cosmo Glassworks
- Type: general glass art, flameworking
- Classes: small group, private, 1-2 day sessions
- Price: Contact for pricing information
- Website: https://cosmoglassworks.com/
- Telephone: (540) 765-8092
- Location: Roanoke, VA
Cosmo Glassworks is owned by Chad, a flameworker who has been working with glass since 2005. He offers beginner, intermediate, and advanced flameworking classes that teach the fundamentals of the craft.
Classes cover safety, heating, shaping, color application, and other flameworking techniques. Classes are organized by skill level and project type. Project options include beads, pendants, and marbles.
Students are expected to provide their own materials and tools.
Contact Chad directly for more information upcoming classes and pricing.
Hi folks, I need some advice. We have a large glass flower, 18 inches across, that is mounted on a stake in our garden. The flower has detached from the mounting bracket used to mount the flower on the stake. It appears that some sort of glue was used to bind the glass flower to the bracket, which I believe is made of some sort of composite material. I’ve tried epoxy, but to no avail. Any suggestions or recommendations on what to try next?
Thank you!