Warm Glass - Fused Glass
Fused glass requires that we use compatible glasses that heat and cool at the same coefficient of expansion and that we use precise computer formulas to heat the glass until it melts and then cool or “anneal” it back to room temperature.
Slumping and Draping - When we place the flat piece over a ceramic mold, we put it in the kiln at lower temperature until it falls or slumps into the mold shape. The allows us to create plates, bowls and other 3 dimensional objects. The studio stocks a variety of different molds.
MOSAIC GLASS
A user friendly “cold” technique requiring only glass, nippers, glue, and grout. We will create a design on a surface-- box, board, trivet, tray, tabletop or picture frame, glue the “tesserae-- pieces of colored glass-- into place, let it set, then grout the design in place. There is no end to the beautiful decorative mosaics you can create.
We make stained glass by precisely cutting pieces of glass and soldering them together using either copper foil or lead strips. We will be using transparent glass as stained glass is primarily utilized in windows where the beauty of the light shines through and creates stunning reflections.
Stained Glass is a designer’s medium and we will work with you to plan and assemble simple suncatchers and panels. In more advanced classes, we will explore painting on glass and incorporating fused elements into our stained glass designs.
STAINED GLASS
In the Future:
Though GAC is primarily a glass school, in future we will be adding specialty classes in other media like painting and collage, and offering workshops in other aspects of glass making, like etching, sandblasting, and utilizing fused glass in many creative applications. Stay tuned for offerings and opportunities to expand your artistic vocabulary at GAC.