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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 included in admission when the Hot Shop is open, April 7-December 31, 2023.

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.

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

Introduction to Glassblowing (Registration open)

Sizzling Saturdays – Vessel (Registration Open)

Sizzling Wednesdays – Vessel (Registration Open)

Hummingbird Feeders (Registration Open)

Sculpted Paperweights (Registration Open)

Personal Glassblowing Sessions (Registration open)

Pride Paperweights (Registration Open)

Pumpkins (Registration Open)

Ornaments (Registration Open)

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 three 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, adults only.

Dates: Session 1 meets on Mondays, June 5, 12, 19, and 26, July 3, and July 10
Session 2 meets on Mondays, September 11, 18, 25 and October 2, 9, and 16
Session 3 meets on Mondays , November 6, 13, 20, 27 and December 4 and 11

Time: 6-9pm

Cost: $742, $670 for members

Registration Status: Registration is open for Session 2 & 3

Session 2 Registration

Session 3 Registration
Sizzling Saturdays Vessel Class Description: Create a vessel of your choice–candy bowl, bud vase or tumbler. No experience is necessary.

Dates: Every Saturday April 8-December 30

Time: 6-9pm

Cost: $148, $124 for members

Registration Status: Registration is now open

 Register Now

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

Dates: Every Wednesday April 12-July 26

Time: 6-9pm

Cost: $148, $124 for members

Registration Status: Registration is now open

 Register Now

Hummingbird Feeders Description: Create a bright, blown glass, hummingbird feeder for your yard. No experience is necessary.

Dates: April 13, 20, and 27; May 4, 11, 18, and 25; June 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 22, 23, 29 and 30; July 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28

Time: 6-9pm

Cost: $100, $90 for members

Registration Status: Registration is now open

 Register Now

Sculpted Glass Paperweights Description: Choose your favorite shape, egg or round and two of your favorite color frits (colored glass granules), gather and melt them in molten glass, and manipulate them into your very own unique design encased in clear glass. No experience is necessary.

Dates: April 7, 14, 21, and 28; May 5, 12, 19 and 26

Time: 6-9pm

Cost: $60, $54 for members

Registration Status: Registration is now open

 Register Now

Personal Glassblowing Sessions The earliest date available for Personal Glassblowing Sessions is April 15. 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, April 15-December 30

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

Cost: $350, $315 for members

Registration Status: Requests for sessions after April 15 can now be made. Please do not request a session with an earlier date.

 Request Form

Pride Paperweights Description: Visit the Conservatory during Columbus Pride weekend, June 16 -18, 2023 and work one on one with a professional gaffer to make a round rainbow paperweight to commemorate the weekend. No experience is necessary.

Dates: June 16-18

Time: June 16: 11am, 11:20am, 11:40am, 12pm, 12:20pm, 12:40pm, 1pm, 1:20pm and 1:40pm
June 17 & 18: 12pm, 12:20pm, 12:40pm, 1pm, 1:20pm, 1:40pm, 2pm, 2:20pm and 2:40pm

Cost: $60, $54 for members

 Register Now

Pumpkins Description: Our most popular Hot Shop studio class! Create a colorful glass pumpkin. No experience is necessary.

Dates: August 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30 and 31; September 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29; October 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29

Time: 6-9pm

Cost: $103, $93 for members

 Register Now

Hot Shop
Ornaments Description: Create a blown glass ornament that's perfect for the holiday season, or to add a splash of color to your outside garden. No experience is necessary.

Dates: November 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 24, 29 and 30; December 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29

Time: 6-9pm

Cost: $68, $62 for members

Registration Status: Registration is now open

 Register Now



Holiday Ornament Pop-Up:

Description:Visit the Conservatory on December 1-3, 2023 and shop for beautiful glass ornaments and holiday-themed glass items. All of the products for sale are hand-crafted in the Conservatory's Hot Shop or by local artists. As a part of this special event the Conservatory Hot Shop will offer individual ornament experiences working one on one with a professional gaffer. Pre-registration is required.

Dates: December 1, 2, 3

Time: 11am, 11:20am, 11:40am, 12pm, 12:20pm, 12:40pm, 1pm, 1:20pm, 1:40pm

Cost: $68, $62 for members

 Register Now

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