Crash Course: Flameworking Borosilicate Glass with John Erwin Dillard

This four day course will introduce students to the fundamentals of working with borosilicate glass. Through a series of creative exercises students will experience the material's range of expressive possibilities. Students should expect to leave the course with a foundational knowledge of how to utilize borosilicate within their own visual vocabulary. Class will begin with a comprehensive demonstration on best health and safety practices as it relates to the material and process. First students will explore the possibilities of using solid boro rod to create expressions through solid lines. The second class will encourage students to revisit their linear constructions and expand them into three dimensional forms. The following day students will be exposed to hollow methods of construction to better understand how borosilicate glass can be used to create volumetric objects. The final day of class will cover multi part assemblages and more complicated forms of construction such as bridging. 

Additional work time for intensive students: Students will also have access to additional hours in the flame shop, without instruction, on Tuesday - Friday from 5-8pm. Students must be able to work safely in the studio, and be able to set up their area without needing instruction. Students participating in student hours will need to be approved by the instructor and TA’s.

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: No previous experience required. Open to ages 14 and up. If you've previously taken an intro to beads class, your skills can be improved in this class.

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 arianna@urbanglass.org if you have questions about the class or would like to arrange a payment plan.

Class Schedule

• Intensive | 4 Sessions: July 22 — July 25
  Tuesday, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm