List of Glass Blowing & Lamp Work Classes in Washington State 2023 [Updated]
Glassblowing requires a lot of hands-on practice in order to improve your skills. One of the ways to practice this craft is by attending glassblowing classes taught by professionals at workshops or exploring the types of art made by other glass artists.
By attending workshops and browsing galleries, you can learn a lot about the glassblowing craft. If you are a beginner or expert, you can learn how to execute different glassblowing techniques and design applications.
There are great opportunities to do this in glassblowing workshops in the various cities of Washington state. Washington state is home to a large variety of glassblowing workshops, classes and retailers. The city of Seattle in particular has become a mecca for glass art inspired by its landscape and history.
Tacoma, Washington is also a notable location for glass artwork, as one of the most influential glass artists, Dale Chihuly, is originally from there. The following list consists of great glassblowing workshops in those areas.
- 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) Seattle Glassblowing Studio
- Type: Glass blowing, lamp work, general glass art
- Classes: Beginner
- Prices: $65 to $275
- Website: https://seattleglassblowing.com/
- Telephone: (206) 448-2181
- Location: 2227 West Ave Seattle, WA 98121
The Seattle Glassblowing Studio is an interactive glassblowing studio that hosts a variety of glassblowing classes and events available to book. The studio was founded by Cliff Goodman in 1991. The founder studied at Pilchuck School with Fritz Driesbach, a glass master.
Cliff Goodman’s work is included in a variety of collections around the world, showcasing his talent in the industry. The mission of Seattle Glassblowing Studio is to inspire young or beginner artists to pursue the glassblowing medium and provide training for those seriously interested in the trade.
The studio also welcomes visitors to learn more about glassblowing and glass art. The classes featured at this studio involve creating your own glass pieces or experiencing a private glassblowing lesson. While many of the classes can be attended in-person, the studio also offers virtual glassblowing experience to learn about the art.
2) MoltenWorks Glass Studio
- Type: Glass fusing
- Classes: Beginner and expert
- Prices: $55
- Website: https://www.moltenworksglass.com/
- Telephone: (425) 999-2596
- Location: 12602 Ne 178th Street, Suite A Woodinville, WA, 98072
The MoltenWorks Glass Studio is a glass art studio that offers a wide variety of classes and experiences to the public. They moved to their new location in June 2020, but have had 5 years of experience offering classes. Their popular classes include Sip N’ Fuse and they offer team-building events for companies and other groups.
They offer memberships for returning customers who would like to try a variety of classes and experiences. They are also offering at-home glass kits to allow people to create glass art from the comfort of their homes.
The in-person classes are very helpful to learn about glass art because you can create your own project and learn about the specific tools you can use to complete it. Once you have completed a class at MoltenWorks, you will be eligible to attend open studio sessions to create and design glass art in a more open structure.
3) Blowing Sands Glassblowing
- Type: Glass blowing, general glass art
- Classes: Beginner
- Prices: On request
- Website: http://blowingsands.com/
- Telephone: 206-783-5314
- Location: 5805 14th Ave NW Seattle, WA 98107
Blowing Sands Glassblowing is a great glass gallery and workshop in Seattle that offers beginner glassblowing classes. The owner of this studio is David Smith, who graduated with Materials Science and Engineering degree from MIT. He has studied glass art around the world and eventually set up his own hot shop in 1992. One of the classes offered by Blowing Sands Glassblowing is Taste of Glassblowing, which gives groups of people a sampler of what glassblowing is like.
Their Beginning Glassblowing class offers a great introduction to the art of glassblowing and would benefit people who are interested in the craft or those who would like to learn more about it by establishing a solid glassblowing foundation.
4) Pratt Fine Arts Center
- Type: Glass blowing, glass fusing, casting, flameworking
- Classes: Beginner, intermediate, expert
- Prices: $50 – $200
- Website: https://www.pratt.org/glass
- Telephone: (206) 328-2200
- Location: 1902 South Main Street Seattle, WA 98144
The Pratt Fine Arts Center offers a wide range of classes focused on the glass medium. People of all different experience levels who are over the age of 18 can attend classes to learn more about glassblowing, glass fusing, casting, and even flameworking.
If you are younger than 18, the center also offers teens workshops and classes that are suitable for younger artists. The large variety of classes allows students to learn about different forms of glasswork and try a variety of different projects. The beginner level courses provide a solid foundation in glassworking and the center also offers master classes for more advanced students.
5) Art by Fire Gallery and Glass School
- Type: Glass blowing, lampworking-glass bead making, flameworking – glass marble
- Classes: beginner
- Prices: $65
- Website: https://www.artbyfire.com/
- Telephone: (425) 996-8867
- Location: 195 Front St. N Issaquah, WA 98027
The Art by Fire Gallery and Glass school is a great establishment to learn different methods of glass art for people of all ages and experience levels located in Issaquah. The school offers a variety of glass workshops and classes catered to different age groups. The gallery boasts a number of different glass ornaments and artwork available for purchase.
The team members and instructors at the gallery are all very passionate about glasswork and design, which shines through their work. The glass school offers virtual glass blowing classes that allow students to pick their own colors and view the live creation of their art. This establishment is also a great choice for groups and private events.
6) Tacoma Glassblowing Studio
- Type: Glass blowing, general glass art
- Classes: Beginner
- Prices: $75-$125
- Website: https://www.tacomaglassblowing.com/
- Telephone: (253) 948-9699
- Location: 114 S. 23rd Street Tacoma, WA 98402
The Tacoma Glassblowing Studio is a wonderful workshop and gallery that opened in 2006. The studio offers a variety of classes with different glassblowing themes for beginners, which makes it highly accessible to different guests. The gallery is also open for viewing to the public, which is also a fun experience.
Glass art made at the gallery is sold in the shop so visitors can purchase these one-of-a-kind ornaments for their home décor or gifts. The studio is run by a husband and wife team along with 10 highly skilled employees who make your visit to the studio a positive experience.
7) Avalon Glassworks
- Type: Glass blowing, general glass art
- Classes: demonstrations
- Prices: N/A
- Website: https://www.avalonglassworks.com/
- Telephone: (206) 937-6369
- Location: 2914 SW Avalon Way Seattle, WA 98126
Avalon Glassworks located in West Seattle is a glassblowing studio, retailer, and gallery established in 1993. While this establishment does not offer glassblowing classes, the studio allows guests to view live glassblowing by experienced artists. Being able to watch experts create glass artwork live is a wonderful opportunity.
The artwork they create is available for purchase at the store. Many of the ornaments and glass pieces made by these artists are inspired by Seattle’s landscape and fishing industry. Both the colors and shapes of the glass pay homage to Seattle by consisting of natural colors and shapes of fish floats.
The owners of Avalon Glassworks are a husband and wife team who wants to share the beauty of glasswork with others. The glasswork sold in the retail shop is great for gifts or home décor.
8) Pilchuck Glass School
- Type: Glass blowing, general glass art
- Classes: small group, multiple sessions
- Prices: $800-$4,670
- Website: https://www.pilchuck.org/
- Telephone: (360) 445-3111
- Location: 1201 316th St. NW Stanwood, WA 98292
The Pilchuck Glass School is the ultimate place to learn glass blowing. As the world’s most comprehensive center for glass art, the instruction provided at Pilchuck is unparalleled.
Dale Chihuly founded the Pilchuck Glass School in 1971. The School offers fall and summer programs for people of all ages and skill levels. There is a complete list of program offerings and specific classes available on Pilchuck’s website, so make sure to check it out.
Whether you are brand new to glass blowing or are seeking ongoing education, the Pilchuck Glass School is a fantastic option. While the price of classes is a lot higher than other options in Washington, this school is one of the best in the world and the skills you learn during a fall or summer program will help you advance quickly in glass blowing.
9) Central GlassWorks
- Type: Glass blowing, general glass art
- Classes: private, weekends, mornings
- Prices: $70-$170
- Website: https://centralglassworks.org/
- Telephone: (360) 623-1099
- Location: 109 W. Main St. Centralia, WA 98531
Central GlassWorks in Centralia is owned and operated by Kevin M. Regan. He first learned glass blowing at Seattle Glass before touring Europe. After refining his skills in England and Murano, Italy, Regan returned to Washington and opened Central GlassWorks in 2005. He has over 25 years of experience in the craft.
Regan offers private classes on weekends for beginners. Classes include a safety discussion and basic sculpting techniques. Students work towards creating their own drinking glass.
10) The Glass Punty
- Type: Glass blowing, glass fusing
- Classes: small group, weekdays, weekends, mornings, afternoons, evenings
- Prices: $55-$350
- Website: https://theglasspunty.com/
- Telephone: (509) 942-9569
- Location: 6818 W. Kennewick Ave. Kennewick, WA 99336
The Glass Punty is a veteran owned glass studio offering beginner glass blowing and glass fusing classes.
These one to three hour long classes teach the foundational techniques required to create ornaments ,floats, flowers, paperweights, pumpkins, tumblers, and ruffle bowls.
Contact the studio directly for information on scheduling a class.
11) Area 253 Glassblowing
- Type: Glass blowing, general glass art, flameworking
- Classes: small group, private, weekdays, weekends, mornings, afternoons, evenings, 1-2 days, 2-4 hour sessions, studio rentals
- Prices: $75-$600
- Website: https://area253-glassblowing.com/index.php
- Telephone: (253) 779-0101
- Location: 2514 Holgate St. Tacoma, WA 98402
Area 253 Glassblowing offers glass blowing and flameworking classes that are structured by experience level. Public small group and private classes are available depending on student preference.
Projects include vessels and beads. Experienced students are welcome to rent the studio space. Contact Area 253 Glassblowing for more information on rental availability and pricing.
12) Callahan’s Firehouse Studio & Gallery
- Type: Glass blowing,
- Classes: demonstrations
- Prices: Contact for pricing information
- Website: https://callahansfirehouse.com/
- Telephone: (360) 221-1242
- Location: 179 2nd St. Langley, WA 98260
Callahan’s Firehouse Studio & Gallery is owned and operated by artist Callahan Campbell McVay. He studied at the Pilchuck Glass School and Pratt Fine Arts Center in Seattle before opening his own studio in 2009.
His 3,000 square foot work space is located in a converted fire station. Visitors are welcome to observe McVay as he blows glass.
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