Beginner Glassblowing Program
BAGI’s glassblowing program establishes a traditional path for learning the craft of glassblowing outlined in three separate classes: Introduction to Glassblowing, Intermediate Glassblowing, and Advanced Glassblowing. Students that complete these courses will develop and refine fundamental glassblowing skills and will gain access to studio rentals outside of class time.
Each class in the beginner program is:
$655
16 hours total
Minimum Age:16
Minimum # of Students:3
Maximum # of Students: 6/9
All Classes Cancellation Policy (*Classes purchased from BAGI)
- Cancellations made at 5 days prior to the first day of a class will receive a 100% refund.
- Cancellations made 4-2 days prior to the first day of class will be issued a 50% refund.
- No refunds will be given with less than 72 hours’ notice of cancellation.
- No refunds for no shows.
- If BAGI were to cancel a class(es), a full refund for the class(es) will be issued.
Introduction to Glassblowing
Prerequisite: none
This 4-day class is designed for people who want to immerse themselves in the magic of glass. Hands-on exercises throughout the course allow you to learn the basics of traditional free-form glass blowing. We’ll cover safety in the hot shop, how to use tools, and the basics to work and shape hot molten glass. Each student will work towards making a perfect cylindrical vessel by the end of the course.
Glassblowing 2 – Learning Forms
Prerequisite: Introduction to Glassblowing
In Glassblowing 2 students will review and refine the fundamentals of Introduction to Glassblowing while learning to create more complex shapes. Each student will learn how specific tools, bubble setups, heating, and proper turning can help create different forms.
Glassblowing 3 – Additive Techniques
Prerequisite: Introduction to Glassblowing
In Glassblowing 3 students will review and refine the fundamentals of Introduction to Glassblowing and Glassblowing 2 while adding more techniques. Each will learn decorative techniques like bits, handles, wraps, feet and more.
Intermediate Glassblowing Program:
Now that students have completed the Introduction to Glassblowing Course, they can refine their skills with the Intermediate Glassblowing Program. This Program will build on the fundamentals learned in the Introduction to Glassblowing classes while introducing you to more complicated techniques such as Color Application, Hot Glass Sculpture, and Mold Blowing.
Each class in the beginner program is:
$675
16 hours total
Minimum Age:16
Minimum # of Students:3
Maximum # of Students: 6/9
Color Application
Prerequisite: Glassblowing 2 or 3
Students will explore a variety of ways to apply colored glass to their work. Topics will include coefficient of expansion, color chemistry, rod, frit, powders, overlays and decorative techniques. The course includes four evenings of instruction and a limited supply of color for students to practice with. Students are encouraged to bring their own color as well.
Hot Glass Sculpture
Prerequisite: Glassblowing 2 or 3
This 4-day workshop will introduce students to solid glass sculpting and working asymmetrically in the hotshop. Skills that will be addressed are bit application, proper tool use, and using the garage or the pick-up oven. Students will learn how to safely and properly use oxy/propane torches to create texture and form. Each student will walk away from this class with the understanding of how to make representative and abstract sculptural objects and some new tricks for making more elaborate vessels.
Mold-Blown Glass
Prerequisite: Glassblowing 2 or 3
Students will learn how to use different mold shapes and materials to create a variety of outcomes. Wood, metal, and graphite are some of the materials that glassblowers use to mold-blow their glass into specific shapes and sizes. Some color techniques will be explored while using the mold-blown process so it is recommended that students take the Color Application class prior to this course. From mold-blowing organic shapes to perfecting a vessel shape, students will gain understanding of how this technique can be applied to their own artistic practice.
Advanced Glassblowing Program:
Students that have completed the Introduction to Glassblowing Program and the Intermediate Glass Program are encouraged to continue learning new techniques in this Advanced Glassblowing Program. The advanced classes focus on specific techniques that will help students to develop their own artistic vision. These classes will change yearly depending on what visiting artists we have available to teach.
$655
16 hours total
Minimum Age:16
Minimum # of Students:3
Maximum # of Students: 6/9
Caneworking Techniques
Prerequisite: Color Application
Students will be introduced to the art of working with cane. Each student will learn about the processes used to make a variety of glass cane styles and how to incorporate them into solid and blown forms. Students will begin by creating single-color cane, and then move on to more complex cane styles. Students are encouraged to bring their own designs and patterns. Limited color will be provided and students are welcome to bring their own.
Graal
Prerequisite: Color Application, Introduction to Coldworking
A Graal is a technique developed by Orrefors of Sweden in 1916 as a way to create texture and pattern in glass. Starting with a blank of clear or colored glass, an image or design is carved or sandblasted into the top layers of glass. The cut blank is reheated and cased in another layer of clear or transparent color and finally inflated. This class will introduce glass cutting techniques, masking resist for sandblasting, and an overview of kiln operation in the hotshop.
Introduction to Venetian Techniques
Prerequisite: Introduction to Glassblowing and Glassblowing 2 or 3
In this class we will focus on goblet making and other objects in the Venetian style. We will start from the very basics and toward the end progress into more complex forms. Working in a team will be a major part of the class, understanding the importance and the roles of gaffer/assistants. Our goal in the end is to apply these teachings into your own practice, working on simplifying your process.
Australian Roll-Up
Prerequisite: Color Application
This course will introduce a unique color application in the “Australian Roll-Up” process — a technique where a pre-fused glass tile is picked up on a blowpipe, closed into a bubble, and blown and manipulated into a vessel and/or sculptural form. The first day of class will be spent creating the kiln worked tiles that will be fused and ready to be blown in the hot shop. With the hot-shop skills learned, students will learn to do hot “pick-ups” from the kiln and then blow their desired forms.
All Classes Cancellation Policy (*Classes purchased from BAGI)
- Cancellations made 5 days prior to the first day of a class will receive a 100% refund.
- Cancellations made 3-4 days prior to the first day of class will be issued a 50% refund.
- No refunds will be given with less than 3 days (72 hours) notice of cancellation.
- No refunds for no-shows.
- If BAGI were to cancel a class(es), a full refund for the class(es) would be issued.