TeachStreet™

In light of Google using themes from local artist Dale Chihuly in their logo last week, I thought I’d make mention of a thriving local community we have here in Seattle: glass blowers.

From Dale Chihuly to Lee Rhodes (founder of the Green Lake based candle holder company glassbaby), there is no shortage of talented glass artists who call Seattle home. And thankfully, for those of us who can’t afford our own Chihuly chandelier, many of these local artists also teach classes where we can learn to make our own.

If you’re interested in learning glass blowing, here are a couple of local studios worth checking out.

Picture: Creative Commons | Calypso Dragon 13

Seattle Glass Blowing Studio - (downtown)
They offer both private and group classes. On weekends they have workshops where anyone can try their hand at casting and annealing, no matter what their level of experience. With the weekend workshops, you get eight hours of studio time (four hours on Saturday, four hours on Sunday) and they cost $275, which includes all of your studio rentals.

For more info call 206. 448. 2181

Pratt Fine Arts Center - (Central District)
With over 17 instructors and classes offered in both their hot shop and their cold shop, Pratt is a great place to learn glass blowing. Though they have classes all year round, their Summer classes are coming up soon, if you’re interested in signing up. One cool thing about Pratt is that once you’ve demonstrated basic proficiency, you can rent studio time and go in on your own.

For more info call 206. 328. 2200 ext. 22

Edge of Glass - (Fremont)
Though you can sign up for six week beginner course, you can also take a two hour introductory glass sculpting course just about any day of the week, weekends included. In these classes, you can learn to make a paperweight, a starfish, or in my case, an off center wad of glass that only a Mother could appreciate.

For more info call 206. 632. 7807