The Glassblowing Studio was renovated in 2023 and is fully equipped to run all of our glassblowing workshops. The furnace has recently been right-sized for the studio so we can efficiently power it up and down according to our needs.
The Glassblowing Studio shares a building with our woodworking studio via separate entrances, and is located between the dorms and the Dining Hall in the Main Building. The building has tall ceilings with a sliding barn door which may be opened to allow for air circulation, and a side area with a coldworking station. Classes in this studio generally have a maximum of 8 students. Browse the gallery below to explore the Glassblowing studio and view a floor plan.
Equipment & Supplies
The Glassblowing studio is equipped to host our glassblowing workshops, with a Mobile Glass Studios Big Dragon glass melting furnace that holds 100lbs of cullet, a garage for working with large-scale sculptural items, three glory holes, three marvers and annealers, and a small color kiln.
Other equipment includes the following: a pipe cooler and warmer, 24” lap wheel, blowpipes, a ranger oxy/propane torch, a fluffy torch, three small bernzomatic torches, tweezers, trim shears, diamond shears, several types of jacks, shears, calipers, cane cutters, a cane plate, and assorted optic molds. All studios are supplied with hand sanitizer, KN95 masks, nitrile gloves and anti-bacterial wipes.
Physical Requirements
All students in the glassblowing studio are expected to wear closed-toe shoes and natural fibers such as cotton, hemp, wool or leather in order to be safely dressed. Synthetic fibers will melt in high temperatures and cause burns, so at least 80% cotton or natural fiber is necessary for a safe experience in the studio. Long hair should be tied back.
Working in this studio may require standing or sitting for extended periods. Working with glass requires moderate to high level hand, wrist and forearm strength, repetitive range of motion, and the ability to handle extreme heat. Students who are concerned about their ability to participate safely and comfortably in a particular class should contact us to discuss before registering.
Open Studio Guidelines
The Open Studio for glassblowing is on a case-by-case basis, as determined by the instructor. The glassblowing instructor or their TA must be present for all open studio time. They will outline a schedule, which for safety reasons may not go past 9pm. Students are requested to bring a cell phone in case an emergency arises and they want to contact the on-site coordinator. As is true in all Snow Farm studios, the consumption of drugs or alcohol is not allowed, nor shall students work with studio equipment when under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The last person in any studio is responsible for turning off indoor lights and closing the doors for the night.
Student Gallery
