Studio Arts

Washington Glass School

Glass ArtFusingSlumpingFlame WorkingKiln Casting

Workshop-based glass arts school offering classes in fusing, slumping, and flame work, a major warm-glass education center in the United States.

Editor's note

Located at 3700 Otis Street in Mt. Rainier, Maryland, Washington Glass School is a major warm-glass education center in the United States. It offers structured workshop programming in kiln-formed and sculptural glass techniques for both complete newcomers and artists working in other media.

New to this?

This studio welcomes beginners. No prior experience required.

What to expect your first visit

Review the current class schedule and register in advance, workshops are offered on specific dates with limited seats
Choose a class described as 'beginning,' 'introductory,' or 'warm glass weekend' if you have no prior glass experience
Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes, and avoid loose clothing and dangling jewelry, standard safety requirements in glass studios
Classes are time-bounded (often one weekend or several evenings), arrive on time and plan to stay for the full session to complete your project

Best for

Adults, including artists working in other media, who want structured hands-on introduction or further exploration in kiln-formed and sculptural glass techniques.

What to expect

Classes are typically offered as concentrated workshops (often evenings or weekends) or short series, each focused on a specific technique such as beginning fusing, casting, or glass-and-steel sculpture. Instruction is hands-on: demonstrations of technical processes followed by guided project work, where students design and fabricate pieces under instructor supervision.

A focused workshop studio centered on technical exploration and sculpture, but described as a community resource that encourages experimentation and cross-media work. Guest instructors and specialized workshops give it an engaged, project-driven atmosphere.

What to bring

Clothes suitable for a workshop environment, long pants and closed-toe shoes, and a water bottle. Materials for class projects are typically organized by the school; confirm specific material policies when registering.

Northern Virginia