UrbanGlass is a public access studio open to individuals of all experience levels who want to learn about glass. We offer classes ranging from one day workshops, multi-week classes, and week-long intensives for beginners and experienced glass artists alike.
Please reach out to the Registrar of Education, Ari Eshoo, with any questions about classes. Ari can be reached Tuesday-Saturday 10:30am-6:30pm by phone or email:
T. 718-625-3685 ext 246 E. arianna@urbanglass.org
Here’s what is covered below:
Workshop culture
Signing up for a class
Picking up your work
Virtual classes
Adult Intensive Workshops
Cancellation & refund policy
Class Absence policy
Preparing for class
Studio Attire
Accessibility and studio environment
Workshop Culture
At UrbanGlass, we prioritize a welcoming, safe space for everyone to learn. When engaging in our programs, please enhance our community by contributing to a culture of respect for each other, the teachers, the studio, and the tools. We ask that you maintain an inclusive perspective. Remember to approach the class content with curiosity and make work with a spirit of generosity - you are sharing space, tools, materials, and time together. Glassmaking often involves teamwork. Get to know the other students, artists, and staff around you; learn their names and pronouns. We are so grateful to everyone who participates at UrbanGlass and makes our community vibrant!
Signing up for a class
To see if a class is the right fit for you, read the description, what to expect, and eligibility sections on the class page, or call our Registrar, at 718-625-3685 ext 246 with any questions. New to this material and not sure what some of the processes are? Check out our glossary of terms. All classes are taught in English, we may be able to arrange private lessons/events in other languages upon request.
Classes are filled on a first come, first served basis. Waitlists are maintained for all full classes, please be prepared to respond quickly to an open spot.
UrbanGlass class registrations primarily occur through the platform Eventbrite. We encourage advance registration, but do accept sign ups right until the start of class. Confirmation of registration and payment will be sent through Eventbrite.
Currently, students can register in three ways:
- Online: From the Classes pages of our website, find the class you are interested in and use the Eventbrite widget to register.
- By phone: Call 718.625.3685 x246, Tuesday-Saturday 10:30 am - 6:30 pm to register with a major credit card. If you do not reach our Registrar, leave a message and we will get back to you shortly.
- You may also see our classes listed through the third party website: CourseHorse. If you registered for a class through CourseHorse, UrbanGlass will confirm your registration and add you as an attendee in EventBrite so that you receive necessary emails for the class.
We are currently only able to accept electronic payment methods.
Partial scholarships are available for the majority of our classes. Learn more and apply here.
Picking up your work
Classes that work with glass at room temperature; such as stained glass and mosaics, can be brought home on the final day of class. Work made with glass at hot temperatures - glassblowing, beadmaking, flameworking, neon, kilnforming, and casting - must be annealed, or cooled slowly overnight, and will be available for pick-up after 5 business days, or when notified. If you are traveling from out of town to take a class, please plan accordingly to pick up your work.
Student work that has not been picked up in one month will be recycled.
Virtual classes
All virtual workshops will take place via Zoom webinar. Every workshop participant must register separately for the class to ensure an accurate count of students for our instructors to properly prepare. Each participant must be logged in to Zoom and Eventbrite prior to joining the meeting. You will receive an email with the login page and Zoom link when you register for the workshop, two hours before the start of the session, as well as 10 minutes before. We encourage you to access the event page a few minutes early to ensure you are logged in.
Paid workshops are recorded for the participants, but will not be posted publicly. You will have access to the recording for 1 month after the class ends.
UrbanGlass Adult Intensives Program
Founded as the New York Experimental Glass workshop, UrbanGlass offers intensive classes that embrace the experimental nature of our beginnings. Intensives typically run Tuesday - Saturday, either 10am-4pm EST or 5pm-9pm EST, and include time for students to work independently during designated student hours throughout the week of the class. Weekend courses run Saturday & Sunday, 11am-6pm EST.
We offer a range of intensive workshops, for beginning and experienced glass artists alike, for students ages 14 and up. Class sizes range from 9-12 students depending on the studio area. Read the eligibility section of the class description to see which workshops are the right fit for you.
Housing and meals are not included in week-long intensives, but we are happy to provide recommendations for anyone traveling from out of town. For a visual guide of our studio spaces, click here.
Cancellation & refund policy
Enrollment cancellations, transfers, or changes made more than two weeks before the first day of class are eligible for a refund. Refunds will not be granted for any cancellations, transfers or changes made inside fourteen days from the first day of class, or for withdrawals during class. Should you need to cancel your enrollment, refunds will not include Eventbrite fees consisting of the payment processing fee and the service fee combined.
We ask that if you test positive for COVID-19, that you do not come to class.
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY: The UrbanGlass studio will remain open and classes will remain in session so long as the MTA is running. UrbanGlass cannot provide refunds or transfers for classes missed due to weather outside of this policy.
Please contact Ari at 718.625.3685 x246 or arianna@urbanglass.org with any questions.
Class Absence Policy
As a student enrolled in education programs at UrbanGlass, it is vital that you attend all of your scheduled classes. Absences may hinder your progress and impact the overall learning experience. Missed classes cannot be made up outside of the designated class time. Our instructors dedicate their time and expertise to deliver high-quality instruction during scheduled sessions, and they are unable to accommodate individual makeup sessions. We understand that unforeseen circumstances may arise. If you anticipate an absence, please notify UrbanGlass as soon as possible by contacting the Registrar of Education, Ari Eshoo, at arianna@urbanglass.org so that we can inform the teacher.
Preparing for class
It is recommended that students bring notebooks and water bottles to in person classes. All basic materials and supplies needed for the class will be provided. If students wish to use specific tools or materials not supplied in class they are responsible for obtaining these items themselves.
Studio Attire
For your safety, protective eyewear must be worn at all times in all areas of the UrbanGlass Studio. We will provide appropriate eyewear for your use. Appropriate work clothes are also required. Flammable or synthetic fabrics, sandals and open-toe shoes are not allowed. Long hair must be tied back.
Accessibility & studio environment
UrbanGlass is an ADA compliant facility. Service animals are welcome in the studio, we recommend booties if possible as there could be glass particles on the ground.
Please be aware of the heat in the studio when taking classes in the hot shop, flame shop, or neon shop. We advise everyone to bring water bottles to class and to self monitor if they are not feeling well.
There is a physicality to working with glass that often requires teamwork and extensive safety demonstrations and guidance. A teacher may intervene or make adjustments in order to ensure students’ safety.
Please message our registrar, Ari Eshoo, at arianna@urbanglass.org with any questions or accommodations that a teacher should be aware of for you to comfortably and confidently participate in a class.
Private lessons & group events
UrbanGlass offers private lessons exploring any of the techniques offered in our classes. We also offer group activities for everything from birthday parties to teambuilding. Visit our Private & Groups Lessons page for more detailed information, or to submit an inquiry.