Glass Courses

Glass Concepts: Casting

Course No. GLS 240-340-440  Credits: 3.0

This course aims at advancing students’ knowledge and techniques in creative and intellectual ways as well as fostering new conceptual schemes. Students will be introduced to such methods as sand casting, Pate-de-verre, cold working and kiln casting in the course of pursuing their sculptural goals. In the meantime, students will also practice applying problem-solving skills to making art. By the end of this course, students will have a thorough knowledge and understanding of general kiln forming and acquire more advanced casting techniques. Ultimately, with this technical basis, the course will inspire students to shape and realize an individual visual voice. Hot glass will be possibly conducted as complement. 3 credits.

Glass Concepts: Hot Sculpting

Course No. GLS 242-342-442  Credits: 3.0

This class will emphasize free-hand glass sculpting. We will discuss the similarities and inherent differences between traditional glass blowing techniques, and those that are used for hot glass sculpting. Approaches for making finished sculptures from sketches and designs will be at the core of this class. Areas of focus will include idea development, processes for breaking down and deconstructing complex forms, craftsmanship, and material understanding. Assignments will be given to teach techniques and processes, but will also focus on developing the student’s own personal vision and narrative. Course may be repeated. Prerequisite: GLS 243H/343H/443H or GLS 243 or by permission of chair. 3 credits.

Glass Forming Survey: An Introduction

Course No. GLS 243  Credits: 3.0

The focus of this class is in developing an understanding of how glass as a material works, and how one might use it to realize ideas of design and sculpture. This class will be an introduction to the fundamental techniques of glass working. This includes: glass blowing and hot shaping, glass fusing and casting, flame working, glue fabrication, and grinding, polishing and finishing processes. Required of all incoming 2nd year Glass majors. No previous experience necessary. Course may be repeated. 3 credits.

Intro/Intermediate Hot Glassblowing & Forming Processes

Course No. GLS 243H-343H-443H  Credits: 3.0

Emphasis on understanding how to manipulate glass in its molten state. Practice in traditional and nontraditional blowing and hot forming techniques. Instruction on the use of various hand tools and torches. Color application techniques and hot glass skill development at your level. Theory and use of annealing kilns, safety in the studio, teamwork in the hot studio. Open to any skill level. 3 credits.

Glass: Context

Course No. GLS 245-345-445  Credits: 3.0

The emphasis of this course will be on Context. The fundamentals of perspective, space, and unity in both two- and threedimensional glass work will be explored to understand the role that our assumptions about the component parts of an art work plays in the construction of a work and how it is understood by its audience. Students will work on assigned and self-proposed projects, using the four fundamental techniques of glass working, to explore the various forms achievable in glass. Research in developing concepts using glass as a medium for expression, includes work on production practices, one-of-a-kind vessel making and the use of glass to complete sculptural ideas. Students learn safety in the studio and are assigned responsibilities in studio operation. Team approach emphasized in hot shop, building on and from basic working fundamentals. Students will be involved with practical experience in applying to shows and exhibiting works. Prerequisite: Intro/ Intermediate Hot Glassblowing or Glass Forming Survey or by permission of Glass chair. 3 credits.

Intro Warm Glass + Lampworking Processes

Course No. GLS 255-355-455  Credits: 3.0

This course will introduce students to the possibilities of glass working through an investigation of the techniques, tools, equipment and materials involved in flame working and kiln working processes. Warm Glass refers to glass processes conducted with heat, but at temperatures under 1500 degrees (casting, fusing, slumping). Students will learn to problem solve glass construction both at the torch and in the kiln. This class will allow students to familiarize themselves with glass as a material, while allowing each student to explore their own artistic voice within the medium. Students will learn to safely manipulate and sculpt molten glass at the torch. The kiln-working aspect of the course will explore moldmaking and kiln operations to manipulate glass into two- and three- dimensional glass objects. No previous experience necessary. 3 credits.

Glass as Surface: Drawing + Imagery

Course No. GLS 260X-360X-460X  Credits: 3.0

The use of glass as a material for self expression has its roots in the studio glass movement, which is only half a century old. Non-traditional methods of creating graphic imagery with powder drawing and screenprinting on flat glass are even newer to the scene. This class is aimed at giving an overview of the contemporary techniques and processes that use glass as a surface for creating imagery. There is much left to be discovered; and experimentation is not only encouraged, but necessary. 3 credits.

Glass: Form

Course No. GLS 265-365-465  Credits: 3.0

The emphasis of this course will be on Form. The fundamentals of shape, proportions, and scale in both two- and threedimensional glass work will be explored to further the understanding of Form. Students will work on assigned and self-proposed projects, using the four fundamental techniques of glass working, to explore the various forms achievable in glass. Research in developing concepts using glass as a medium for expression, includes work on production practices, one-of-a-kind vessel making and the use of glass to complete sculptural ideas. Students learn safety in the studio and are assigned responsibilities in studio operation. Team approach emphasized in hot shop, building on and from basic working fundamentals. Students will be involved with practical experience in applying to shows and exhibiting works. Prerequisite: Intro/ Intermediate Hot Glassblowing or Glass Forming Survey or by permission of Glass chair. 3 credits.