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 available Monday-Friday 11am-2pm and Saturday-Sunday 12pm-3pm and are included in admission when the Hot Shop opens on March 29.

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.

Classes during March – July can be doubled up as necessary, if you are interested please add your name to the waitlist. Second class running is dependent on instructor availability.

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

2025 class registration through July is available now!

Introduction to Glassblowing

INTERMEDIATE GLASSBLOWING

Personal Glassblowing Sessions

Sizzling Saturdays

Hummingbird Feeders

BLOWN ICE CREAM BOWLS

SCULPTED PAPERWEIGHTS

sculpted mushroom paperweights

ornament suncatchers

pride paperweights

pumpkins (not available)

ORNAMENTS (not available)

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 will start with learning about safety, how to use the equipment, materials, and proper glass blowing techniques. Each class will build on their skill set with the last class culminating into open studio time where participants can create their own vessel. No previous experience required.

Maximum students: 4 (2 instructors), 2 minimum (1 instructor).

Adults 18+ only.

Dates:
(1st Session): Mondays, April 14, 21, 28, May 5, 12, 19
(2nd Session): Mondays, June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, July 7
(3rd Session): Mondays, Nov 3, 10, 17, 24, Dec 1, 8
(4th Session): Tuesdays, Nov 4, 11, 18, 25, Dec 2, 9

Time: 6-9pm

Cost: $750, $680 for members

Intermediate Glassblowing In this six-week intermediate class students will develop and build on skills practiced in our Introduction to Glassblowing class. We will start the first 3 weeks of intermediate glass by building our base and refreshing skills learned in the introductory class. In the second half of our session, students will build and refine those skills with intermediate glass techniques. Glass color application techniques will also be introduced throughout the class. Each week we will build on the previous classes' lessons, culminating into open studio time the final week where students can explore their newly learned techniques and skills.

Maximum students: 4 (2 instructors), 2 minimum (1 instructor).

Adults 18+ only.

Introduction to Glassblowing class is required before taking this intermediate class.

Dates:
(1st Session): Tuesdays: June 3, 10, 17, 24, July 1, 8; 6-9pm
(2nd Session): Mondays: Sept. 8, 15, 22, 29, Oct 6, 13; 6-9pm

Time: 6-9pm

Cost: $750, $680 for members

Personal Glassblowing Sessions Description: Book a three hour personal glass blowing 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.

Please complete the form below selecting a 1st, 2nd and 3rd time preference. Requests must be submitted at least 14 days in advance of requested dates.

The earliest date available for Personal Glassblowing Sessions is March 30, 2025. Please do not request a date before this.
Subject to instructor availability, sessions are available at these times:

Weekdays, 2:30-5:30pm
Sundays & Tuesdays, 6-9pm
Saturday-Sundays, 9am-12pm

In the form below, please do not select dates & times outside of these ranges. They will not be accepted.

Cost: $375, $337 for members

Sizzling Saturdays Vessel Class Description: Every Saturday, create a vessel of your choice –wavy candy bowl, bud vase, or tumbler. No experience is necessary. Pre-registration is required.

Maximum students: 5

Dates: Saturdays: March 29 - August 30 & November 1 - January 3

Time: 6-9pm

Cost: $120, $108 for members

Classes run on a first come, first serve basis as the instructor will work one on one with each student to complete their work during this three hour class.

Hummingbird Feeders Description: Create a bright, blown glass, hummingbird feeder for your yard with the guidance of a professional gaffer. Stoppers provided by the Conservatory when feeders are picked up. Pre-registration is required.

Maximum students: 5

Dates: Thursdays: April 3, 10, 17, and 24; May 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 ; June 5, 12, 19, and 26; July 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31

Time: 6-9pm

Cost: $120, $108 for members

Classes run on a first come, first serve basis as the instructor will work one on one with each student to complete their work during this three hour class.

Blown Ice Cream Bowls What’s better than ice cream during the dog days of summer? Now you can make yourself a fancy, frit sprinkled, ice cream bowl to use when you indulge in your favorite treat! No experience is necessary. Pre-registration is required.

Dates: Fridays: June 6, 20, 27; July 2, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30

Time: 6-9pm

Cost: $75, $68 for members

Classes run on a first come, first serve basis as the instructor will work one on one with each student to complete their work during this three hour class.

Sculpted Glass Paperweights 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. Pre-registration is required.

Dates: Fridays: April 4, 11, 18, and 25; May 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30

Time: 6-9pm

Cost: $70, $63 for members

Classes run on a first come, first serve basis as the instructor will work one on one with each student to complete their work during this three hour class.

Sculpted Mushroom Paperweights Whether used as a paperweight, or a showpiece for your faery gardens; mushrooms are a hot home decor item right now! Make your own mushroom with the assistance of an experienced gaffer. These mushrooms will have a glass cookie foot base to ensure they can stand upright. No experience is necessary. Pre-registration is required.

Dates: Wednesdays: April 2, 16, and 30; May 14, and 28; June 18

Time: 6-9pm

Cost: $70, $63 for members

Classes run on a first come, first serve basis as the instructor will work one on one with each student to complete their work during this three hour class.

Ornament Suncatchers Ornaments aren’t just for the holidays! Hung from a shepherd's hook, a hand blown glass ornament can add a splash of color to your outside garden or in your window as a suncatcher! Create your very own with the guidance of a professional gaffer. No experience is necessary. Pre-registration is required.

Dates: Wednesdays: April 9, and 23; May 7, and 21; June 4, and 25

Time: 6-9pm

Cost: $66, $60 for members

Classes run on a first come, first serve basis as the instructor will work one on one with each student to complete their work during this three hour class.

Pride Paperweights Visit the Conservatory during Columbus Pride weekend and work one on one with a professional gaffer to make a solid round rainbow paperweight to commemorate the weekend. Pre-registration is required.

Dates & Times: Friday, June 13: 11am, 11:20am, 11:40am, 12pm, 12:20pm, 12:40pm, 1pm, 1:20pm, and 1:40pm; Sunday, June 15: 12pm, 12:20pm, 12:40pm, 1pm, 1:20pm, 1:40pm, 2pm, 2:20pm and 2:40pm

(or) sign multiple people up to take a round rainbow paperweight class together Wednesday, June 11 (or) Friday, June 13; 6-9pm

Cost: $70, $63 for members

Pumpkins Registration not yet available. More information will be announced at a later date.

The Conservatory’s most popular class! Make your own solid glass pumpkin with the guidance of a professional gaffer. Sign-up early, as these classes will sell out! Fall pumpkin classes and registration are available now! No experience is necessary. Pre-registration is required.

Dates: To be announced

Time: 6-9pm

Cost: $100, $90 for members

Classes run on a first come, first serve basis as the instructor will work one on one with each student to complete their work during this three hour class.

Ornaments Registration not yet available. More information will be announced at a later date.

Description: Create a blown glass ornament with the guidance of a professional gaffer. Perfect for the holiday season! No Experience is necessary. Pre-registration is required.

Dates: To be announced

Time: 6-9pm

Cost: $66, $60 for members

Classes run on a first come, first serve basis as the instructor will work one on one with each student to complete their work during this three hour class.

Stay Connected

Join our email list to get exclusive offers and updates on Conservatory events