Inspired by the fascinating patterns of coral found in our oceans, we invite you to make a colorful interlocking glass design! You will have a variety of glass colors to choose from, as well as tools to cut and shape the pieces. Carefully arrange the glass fragments, experimenting with different patterns and arrangements to create a stunning design.
After the smashing success of last year’s class, we’re back with an improved version. Dive into the intersection of glass casting and woodblock printing. Participants will embark on a journey merging traditional techniques to create new and unique artworks.
You will learn the fundamentals of woodblock printing, and how to carve intricate designs into wood blocks to produce striking prints. Then we will explore a novel approach: using the woodcut blocks to create molds for casting glass.
This hands-on course explores the fusion of traditional and contemporary printmaking techniques by transforming carved woodcut blocks into glass printing plates.
By the end of the course, students will have produced 4 remarkable artworks: a traditional woodblock print, a cast glass duplicate, and a print piece of each that celebrates the harmonious marriage of these two distinct mediums.
As highlighted in Washingtonian Magazine – Our most popular class, this is the fastest way to learn all aspects of warm glass in the shortest amount of time! Under the supervision of a professional glass artist you will learn the fundamentals of fusing, slumping and dimensional kiln casting. Everything from bowls and plates to sculptural objects… this is the perfect way for a beginner to learn the basics of glass… and you will leave with several very cool items! Class offered two times this semester –
Session A: May 3 and 4
Session B: Jun 7 and 8
Diverse and beautifully mesmerizing, coral provides shelter and creates an environment to help marine life thrive. Inspired by the labyrinth-like patterns of coral found in our oceans, we invite you to make a fascinating interlocking glass design!
Students are provided with a variety of glass colors to choose from, as well as tools to cut and shape the pieces. As one carefully arranges the glass fragments, they can experiment with different patterns and arrangements to create a stunning coral-like design. Beginner level experience.
Mark your virtual calendars! August 22 Open Studio Tours goes ONLINE! See what the artists in the Glass School have been doing over the past months! 
This weekend’s pâte de verre class was a great success!
Instructor Teri Swinhart (Bailey) demonstrates how to apply color frit powder into specific areas for the class.
Pâte de verre is a kilncasting method that literally means “paste of glass”. The general premise is to mix frit granules with some sort of binder such as gum arabic, then apply the glass to the inner surface of a negative mold.
Teri Swinhart demonstrates proper frit application.
The Pâte de verre students made plaster molds in which they would cast the glass.
Lively discussion on ways to kilncast glass sculpture was explored by the class.
The students all loved the process and can’t wait til the firings are out of the kilns.
Baltimore’s KEYS Development‘s goal is transformation of urban areas through investment in its youth; youth that see themselves as leaders, entrepreneurs, and ultimately change agents who will usher in a new age of industry in its communities, that state of Maryland and beyond. The mission at K.E.Y.S development is to provide social support and guidance in becoming esteemed leaders with outstanding problem solving and conflict resolution skills.
As part of that goal, this summer sees art glass classes for their students at Washington Glass School. The first of the glass classes took place this week – it started off with a lot of fun!
Instructor Michael Janis demonstrates how to use glass powder to the KEYS class.
By noon, all the students are busy making their glass masterpieces.
The KEYS Development instructors joing in the fun, making custom stencils.
Erwin Timmers instructs one of the lighting class students.
Erwin Timmer’s artistic lighting class these past few weeks brought some serious color to the studio – really brightening up the studio!
Over the three week class, students completed a number of lighting designs, ranging from pendant to wall sconces and table lamps. Great to see how each created functional art that reflected the tastes and aesthetics of each of the artists. This was certainly a class that put forth the effort in the design!
Vibha’s glass design was dazzling!
Students designed and made the glass as well as assembled the mounting hardware.
Louis Comfort Tiffany would have been jealous of the glass created for the light fixture.
Jerrelee loves her light fixture that relates to her artwork.
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New Winter/Spring 2014 Class Schedule
To register for any classes…please call or e-mail to hold a space and mail a $50 deposit check made out to Washington Glass School. Be sure to include the course number and your phone number with your deposit. This is important to do ASAP as classes tend to fill quickly! All checks, class info and registration are to be sent to: |
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————————————————————– Class 1600 – Beginner’s Glass Lover’s Weekend —————————————————————
Our most popular class, this is the fastest way to learn all aspects of warm glass in the shortest amount of time! Under the supervision of a professional glass artist you will learn the fundamentals of fusing, slumping and dimensional kiln casting. Everything from bowls and plates to sculptural objects… this is the perfect way for a beginner to learn the basics of glass… and you will leave with several very cool items! Offered 3 times in the session. Instructors Audrey Wilson
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Class 1601 – MIG Welding For Dummies!
Ever wondered about learning to weld? Want to impress your friends, your older brother and that cute bartender? It’s easier than you think! In three evenings you will learn how to lay a bead, and handle all sorts of sharp and dangerous tools. You will be able to complete a small project and leave with lots of ideas and know-how for other projects. This class will teach you the basics of welding, metal work and design, joining, bending and finishing. And you will get dirty! Offered 2 times this calendar. Session A Wed.Eves Jan.(8,15,22)
Session B Wed.Eves April (2,9,16)
Time : 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm Tuition : $350 per student |
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————————————————————– Class 1602 – Fancy Frits!
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Learn how to use colorful glass frits to create interesting and unique designs on two separate fused bowls. You will learn about shifting frit onto fiber paper to create lacy frit wafers. A great technique with many uses, including learning how to layer wafers to create depth and wondrous beauty! Bring your bowl fusing skills to the next level with this two day course. Instructors: Audrey Wilson
Dates : Saturdays in March (8 and 15)
Time: 1:00pm to 4pm
Tuition : $350
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————————————————————– Class 1603 – Lighting Up Your Life
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Are you looking to bring some new light into your home? Tired of the same old “builder special” lights? Well, come and make your own in this class! You will truly display your glass skills in their best light. You’ll learn to cut, fuse and shape glass into the right form. Ceiling or wall fixture, you will have the chance to design your own. You will also learn how to safely wire and install your new lamp. No glass or electrical experience is necessary. Instructor: Erwin Timmers Dates : Wednesday eves, Feb. 5, 12, and 19 Tuition: $300 per student (all materials included) |
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————————————————————– Class 1604 – More MIG
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Now that you’ve tried your hand at MIG welding, the hot-glue gun of the metal shop, why not expand your horizons? We will offer a truck load of new techniques. You can compare welding stainless steel vs. aluminum, and pit the plasma cutter vs. oxyacetylene. You will also improve your MIG skills, and spend more time on grinding, polishing, finishing and patinas. Remember, this is a real, live, active, working shop! You will get dirty. Wear closed-toed shoes and long pants. Prerequisite: one MIG welding class or equivalent. Instructor: Erwin Timmers Dates : Wednesday eves, Mar. 5, 12, and 19 Tuition: $350 per student (all materials included) |
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Class 1606 – Audrey’s Weekly Super Bowl Party!
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You like bowls? So do we! So every Saturday come join Audrey Wilson at a super Bowl Making party! This is ongoing all summer (unless Audrey needs a break!). Email for availability…..and let the bowl making begin! (email the instructor Audrey directly on this one – studio@washglass.com)
Instructor : Audrey Wilson
Dates : the Super Bowl Party will take place on the following dates. Take just one or all of them! Jan. 4th and 25th
Feb. 1st and 22nd
March 1st and 22nd.
Time : 1:30 to 4pm
Tuition : $75 for each session.(limit 6 students per session)
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————————————————————— Class 1607- Open Studio – Work At Your Own Pace ————————————————————– 
Already know the basics of casting or fusing? Open Studio gives each student the opportunity to work independently in a world class studio. Tuition includes a kiln firing per session, clear base glass and colored scrap glass, use of studio tools. Note: students working in dry plaster casting need to schedule cleanup date with studio coordinator.
Instructor : Studio Staff
Dates : Wed/Thurs/Sat afternoons (call to confirm appointment)
Time : 1pm to 5pm
Tuition : $300 for 4 sessions |
| Deposit for Class Registration, balance due at class time. |
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| The Washington Glass School was located on Half Street, SE from 2003 to 2005. It was part of the Washington Sculpture Center until the area was all claimed as part of the Washington National’s baseball stadium. Not the poshest part of town back then. |
I am interjecting a bit of personal story into the blog – in January of 2003, my wife and I moved to the USA after living 10 years in Australia, initially staying with my sister-in-law’s family out in suburban Virginia. I wanted to educate myself to become a glass artist, and had been commuting from my Alexandria, to Baltimore, MD to blow glass. Without a car, this got old fast – real fast. In September of 2003, the second “Warm Glass Conference” was held in Arlington, VA, and since I planned on attending the seminars, I visited a number of the DC area glass facilities to see what glass courses were available locally. At the time, Washington Glass School was part of the Washington Sculpture Center, an organization that provided public access educational programs in sculpture. Wandering around Washington, DC, I discovered the practical aspects of DC’s quadrant names (Northeast, Southeast, etc) – I was wandering around on the wrong Half Street – and I discovered the seamy underside of Capitol Hill. Just before the conference, I took a fused glass workshop that dealt with architectural applications of glass at the Washington Glass School, and was hooked.
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| This is a photo of me in my first fused glass class. L-R: Tyler Frisbee, Michael Janis (me), Kathryn Cosmos, Tim Tate. |
Tim Tate and Erwin Timmers were the teachers and Jeff Zimmer was the teaching assistant (Jeff has since earned a MDES Glass & Architectural Glass, Edinburgh College of Art, Edinburgh, UK).
This class dealt with aspects of fused glass and included kilnformed projects such as dry plaster casting. It was my first foray into kilnformed work – and that introduction shifted my thoughts and process to fused glass.
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| Erwin Timmers and Tim Tate at the Warm Glass Conference, September 2003. |
Glass School Co-Founders Tim Tate and Erwin Timmers were part of the Warm Glass conference- leading a seminar on how to hang glass, and they brought the student castings to the glass school students that were attending. Shortly after, I became the studio’s shop monkey, working every day and assisting at every class. By 2005 I was teaching the very kiln-forming glass class I had begun my journey in glass… ah, the circle of life…
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| Here I am teaching glass fusing class, October 2005. |
The days became weeks; weeks into years, and by the time the Washington Glass School relocated to Mount Rainier, I had become a Co-Director. And still time marched on. Recently clearing out old file cabinets had me look thru old documents and class schedules, I came upon the 2003 class list and nostalgia hit. 10 years on – who’da thunk that events would unfold as they had!
Anyhow – am still enjoying the ride – Cheers to all!
