From Boro to Bottle Glass and Back Again with River Valadez

In this 6 week course we will experiment with working 5 different kinds of glass in the flameshop: Boro, Effetre, Bullseye, 96COE Furnace Glass, and Glass Bottles. Using both glass chain making and small figurative sculpture as our investigative tool we will learn the eccentricities and commonalities of each type of glass. This will be a quick experiential survey of the various approaches to using common glasses in the flameshop. We'll talk shop on all the annealing schedules involved as well as how to use the Carlisle CC torches for each application. Expect to start each day with a brief demo and show & tell, then get straight into experimenting. We will walk away with sculptural artifacts made of each kind of glass as well as a new understanding of how to approach any glass you find in front of you.

What to expect: Flameworking with borosilicate glass requires a little practice at heat control with the torch to create successful sculptures. After demonstrations, students will have time on the torch to hone their skills. Clean-up time is included in the duration of class, and usually the last 20 minutes of class are dedicated to cleaning your workstation. Read more about how to prepare for class on our Registration Info page. 

While flameworking, participants primarily engage in seated activities such as working with glass rods and torches. The environment can be bright and loud at times. Handling glass and tools may require a certain level of dexterity. To learn more about accessibility the Accessibility page on our website.

Eligibility: Some experience recommended but open to all levels. Open to ages 14 and up. 

Pick-up: The glass needs to cool down overnight, so the students will have to return to UrbanGlass once notified to pick up their work. 

We recommend registering for classes early to reserve your spot! We base materials, and teacher needs off of student enrollment. Early registration not only guarantees your spot in class, but also helps to ensure the class will run. Classes with low enrollment may be cancelled within two weeks of the start date of class. Contact our Registrar of Education, Ari Eshoo, at [email protected] if you have questions about the class or would like to arrange a payment plan.

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