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Lampworking, also called Flameworking or Torch work, is the ancient art of melting glass to form shapes. It uses a gas (propane or natural gas) and oxygen torch to produce a flame hot enough to melt glass. Classes include all glass, supplies, tools and FUN!
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Note: If you are interested in a class that won't work with your schedule or is full, most classes can be
scheduled at your convenience.
Lampworking I (Flameworking)
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Learn the nine essentials for working glass in the flame. Class for adults and teens at West Michigan Glass Art Center will focus on fundamentals of flame work as they apply to the creation of solid glass art items like round, flat or oval pendants, fish, turtles or frogs. See classes listed below!
Fun things to do in Kalamazoo!
Prerequisite: Age 13 & up
No experience necessary.
Maximum: 6 students
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One-Day Workshop
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Note: If you are interested in a class that is full, most classes can be scheduled at your convenience.
Instructor: Sue Bombardt
Saturday, June 22, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (FS1316)
Sunday, August 18, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (FS1317)
Prerequisite: Age 16 and up
$90 members/$120 non-members
See description above.
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Three Week Class
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Instructor: Michael Fortin
Tuesdays, April 9 - 23, 6 - 9 p.m. (FS1304)
Tuesdays, June 4 -18, 6 - 9 p.m. (FS1318)
Tuesdays, August 6 - 20, 6 - 9 p.m. (FS1319)
Prerequisite: Age 14 and up
$120 members/$150 non-members
See description above.
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Lampworking II - Three Week Class
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Instructor: Michael Fortin
Tuesdays, 3 wks, June 25, July 2 & 9, 6 - 9 p.m. (FS1320)
Tuesdays, 3 wks, September 3 - 17, 6 - 9 p.m. (FS1321)
Prerequisite: Age 14 and up. Lampworking I or equivalent
$120 members/$150 non-members Maximum: 6 students
Continue to build on previously learned fundamentals of borosilicate flameworking. Learn control of flame characteristics (oxidizing, reducing, neutral) relating to lustering glass. Explore encasement for stringers, simple latticino (twisties), and how to incorporate these techniques into solid work.
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Marble Madness!
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Instructor: Jacob Shaff
Saturday, May 4, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (FS1322)
Saturday, August 17, 10 a.m. - 4p.m. (FS1323)
Prerequisite: Age 14 and up Some flameworking experience is recommended, but not required.
Maximum: 6 students
$90 members/$110 non-members
The spherical shape of the marble is the strongest shape found in nature. When combined with the physical properties of modern glass we can create beautiful objects that will be around thousands of years from now. Techniques explored will depend on the students’ interest and skill level and could include vortex, filigree, honeycomb, implosion, and floral as well as multiple-surface decoration techniques.
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New! Glassblowing Lathe Class
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Instructor: Frank Meints
Saturdays, May 4 & 11, 9 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (LA1302) No Longer Available
Saturdays, September 14 & 21, 9 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (LA1303)
Prerequisite: Age 16 and up, lampworking experience required. Maximum: 2 students.
$180 Members/ $200 non-members.
Learn how to operate a Litton glassblowing lathe. Techniques for blowing, sealing and shaping will be covered. Tools and glass will be supplied. Bring your own blow hose and swivel or we will supply one for classroom use if you let us know in advance.
This flameworking/lampworking workshop is perfect for teens and adults.
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One Day Workshop (Tubing Techniques)
Instructor: Jake Shaff
Saturday, June 15, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (FS1326) No Longer Available
Prerequisite: Age 18 and up. Prior flameworking experience is strongly recommended but not required.
$110 members/ $130 non-members Maximum: 6 students
Explore various techniques for decorating tubing inside out, reversal sections and multiple surface work methods will be demonstrated. Class will cover techniques for creating multiple objects: bead, jars, bottles etc. Projects completed in this workshop will depend on
students skill level and interest. This is a challenging workshop and prior flameworking experience is strongly encouraged but not required.
Intro to Tubing Techniques
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Instructor: Michael Fortin
Tuesdays, 3 wks, May 7 - 21, 6 - 9 p.m. (FS1311) No Longer Available
Prerequisite: Intermediate Lampworking
$120 members/ $140 non-members Maximum: 6 students
Discover how to manipulate borosilicate tubing at a stationary bench torch. Students will learn fundamental techniques including: pulling points, butt seals, T-seals, restrictions, blowing a bubble, popping holes, making proper attachments and basic color work. After
developing your skills, individuals can use techniques learned to create hollow beads, perfume bottles, small jars, sculpture and more.
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Sculptural Lampwork
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Instructor: Sam Brown
Saturday, May 11, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. (FS1314) No Longer Available
Saturday, August 10, 11 am - 5 pm (FS1325)
Prerequisite: Age 14 and up. Some flameworking experience is
recommended, but not required.
$90 members/$110 non members
Maximum: 6 students
This one day intensive workshop will cover all the basic lampworking techniques as you work on a study of
figures, human and imagined. Basic safety and tool use will be included. We will be creating a series of figures to help hone and understand the basic techniques. The
finished figures will be between 1 to 3 inches tall. The more lampworking experience the student has the more difficult and elaborate the figures will become. This class is great for beginners, yet it will still challenge seasoned lampworkers.
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New! Implosion and Impression
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Instructor: Jacob Shaff
Saturday, July 20, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (FS1324)
Prerequisite: Age 15 and up, prior flameworking experience recommended but not required.
$90 members/$110 non-members
Max: 6 students
These are two similar techniques that are often confused with each other. Implosion uses tubing; impression uses solid rod. Both will be explored in this workshop. These techniques are used to create many things. We will focus on flowers and writing in glass. You will be able to apply what you learn to making pendants, marbles, paperweights and just about anything else you can imagine.
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