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Hot Shop

Housed in a covered outdoor pavilion in the North Courtyard, the Hot Shop features daily glassblowing demonstrations by local, professional gaffers. The gaffers will walk guests through every step of the glassblowing process as they gather molten glass and transform it into a finished piece of artwork. These ongoing demonstrations are available Monday-Friday 11am-2pm and Saturday-Sunday 12pm-3pm and are included in admission when the Hot Shop opens on March 29.

The Hot Shop also offers popular studio classes where participants can get hands-on, guided experience with glassblowing and sculpting. Participants must register for classes in advance. For an even more in-depth glassblowing experience, request a Personal Glassblowing Session for up to two individuals.

Classes during March – July can be doubled up as necessary, if you are interested please add your name to the waitlist. Second class running is dependent on instructor availability.

Glass art made in the Hot Shop can be purchased at Botanica Gift Shop & Greenhouse.

 Know Before You Go Studio Classes Personal Sessions

Hot Shop Studio Classes

Information and registration on this year’s classes is available now! Studio Classes and Personal Sessions are popular and may sell out quickly.

Introduction to Glassblowing

INTERMEDIATE GLASSBLOWING

Personal Glassblowing Sessions

Sizzling Saturdays

Hummingbird Feeders

ORNAMENTS

holiday ornament pop-up

BLOWN ICE CREAM BOWLS

pumpkins

Introduction to Glassblowing Description: In this six-week introductory class, participants will learn the fundamental skills necessary to gather molten glass from the furnace and shape it into simple blown shapes. The small group class (maximum of four participants) will start with learning about safety, how to use the equipment, materials & proper glass blowing techniques. Each class will build on their skill set with the last class culminating into open studio time where the participant can create their own vessel. No previous experience is required.

Maximum students: 4 (2 instructors), 2 minimum (1 instructor).

Adults 18+ only.

Dates: Session 3 meets on Mondays, November 4, 11, 18, 25 and December 2, 9

Time: 6-9pm

Cost: $750, $680 for members

Session 3
New this year! Intermediate Glassblowing In this six-week intermediate class students will develop and build on skills practiced in our Introduction to Glassblowing class. We will start the first 3 weeks of intermediate glass by building our base and refreshing skills learned in the introductory class. In the second half of our session, students will build and refine those skills with intermediate glass techniques. Glass color application techniques will also be introduced throughout the class. Each week we will build on the previous classes' lessons, culminating into open studio time the final week where students can explore their newly learned techniques and skills.

Maximum students: 4 (2 instructors), 2 minimum (1 instructor).

Adults 18+ only.

Introduction to Glassblowing class is required before taking this intermediate class.

Dates: Mondays: September 30; October 7, 14, 21, 28, and 29

Time: 6-9pm

Cost: $750, $680 for members

Registration closed
Personal Glassblowing Sessions The earliest date available for Personal Glassblowing Sessions is March 25, 2024. Please do not request a date before this.

Description: Book a three-hour personal glassblowing session and work one on one with a professional gaffer to create 3-6 pieces of glass. No experience is necessary. The instructor will assist you with picking vessels appropriate for your experience and skill level. This experience is for individual instruction, or up to two participants under one registration. Personal sessions are available during times when the hot shop is not being used for demonstrations or classes. No experience is necessary.

Please submit the form linked below to request a session. Your session is not confirmed until you are contacted by Conservatory staff.

Dates: Daily, March 25, 2024 - January 10, 2025

Time: Weekdays, 2:30-5:30pm
Sundays & Tuesdays, 6-9pm
Saturday-Sundays, 9am-12pm
Subject to instructor availability

Cost: $360, $324 for members

Registration Status: Requests for sessions after March 25, 2024 can now be made. Please do not request a session with an earlier date.

 Request Form

Sizzling Saturdays Vessel Class Description: Create a vessel of your choice–candy bowl, bud vase or tumbler. No experience is necessary. Pre-registration is required.

Dates: Saturdays: March 30, 2024 – June 29 and August 3 – January 4, 2025

Time: 6-9pm

Cost: $120, $108 for members

Classes run on a first come, first serve basis as the instructor will work one on one with each student to complete their work during this three hour class.

Register Now


Hummingbird Feeders Description: Create a bright, blown glass, hummingbird feeder for your yard with the guidance of a professional gaffer. Stoppers provided by the Conservatory when feeders are picked up. No experience is necessary. Pre-registration is required.

Dates: April 4, 11, 18, 25; May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; June 6, 13, 20, 27; July 4, 11, 18, 25

Time: 6-9pm

Cost: $120, $108 for members

Classes run on a first come, first serve basis as the instructor will work one on one with each student to complete their work during this three hour class.

Registration closed
Hot Shop
Ornaments Description: Create a blown glass ornament with the guidance of a professional gaffer. Perfect for the holiday season! No Experience is necessary. Pre-registration is required.

Dates: November 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27 and 29; December 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 26 and 27; January 1, 2 and 3

Time: 6-9pm

Cost: $66, $60 for members

Classes run on a first come, first serve basis as the instructor will work one on one with each student to complete their work during this three hour class.

Register Now


Holiday Ornament Pop-Up Visit the Conservatory on December 6-8, 2024, 11am-4pm and shop the annual pop-up ornament sale featuring hundreds of hand blown ornaments & other holiday gifts created by local artists. As a part of this special event the Conservatory Hot Shop will offer individual ornament making experiences working one on one with a professional gaffer. No experience is necessary. Pre-registration is required.

Dates & Times: December 6: 11am, 11:20am, 11:40am, 12pm, 12:20pm, 12:40pm, 1pm, 1:20pm, and 1:40pm; December 7 & 8: 12pm, 12:20pm, 12:40pm, 1pm, 1:20pm, 1:40pm, 2pm, 2:20pm and 2:40pm

Cost: $66, $60 for members

Register Now

New This Year! Blown Ice Cream Bowls What’s better than ice cream during the dog days of summer? Now you can make yourself a fancy, frit sprinkled, one scoop ice cream bowl to use when you indulge in your favorite treat! No experience is necessary. Pre-registration is required.

Dates: August 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30 & 31; September 4, 5 & 6

Time: 6-9pm,

Cost: $70, $63 for members

Classes run on a first come, first serve basis as the instructor will work one on one with each student to complete their work during this three hour class.

Registration closed
Pumpkins The Conservatory’s most popular class! Make your own solid glass pumpkin with the guidance of a professional gaffer. Sign-up early, as these classes will sell out! Fall pumpkin classes and registration are available now! No experience is necessary. Pre-registration is required.

Dates: August 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 and 30; September 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, and 27; October 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 13, 16, 17, 18, 20, 23, 24, 25, 27, 30

Time: 6-9pm

Cost: $100, $90 for members

Classes run on a first come, first serve basis as the instructor will work one on one with each student to complete their work during this three hour class.

Registration closed

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