Summer Glass Arts

Summer Glass Arts are held at Hilltop Heritage Middle School and Silas High School in multi-week sessions.

Middle school students rotate between glassblowing, flameworking, and glass fusion during a 2 week session at Hilltop Heritage MS. There will be time for lunch/snacks and some food will be provided through TPS. Students must be at least 12 to participate.

High school age students learn glassblowing and flameworking in a 4 week session at Silas HS.

Hilltop Heritage Middle School

There will be two sessions this summer. Both will run from Monday – Thursday, 9AM – 2PM. Please sign your young person up for ONE session.

  • July 1st – July 11th
  • July 15th – July 26th
Silas High School
  • 4 Week Session running from July 1st – July 26th from 9 – 11 AM.

The final Thursdays of each session are celebrations and we welcome family to join us, see the hot shop, and see the work your student has created!

Applications will open May 1st.

How to Apply

Applications will be available online May 2024.

In an effort to accommodate as many students as possible, students are asked to pick only one session. You will be notified by phone or email of your student’s placement in the program.

There is a materials fee — $100 for each two-week session. However, no student is turned away due to the inability to pay. The fee will be waived if your student is eligible for free and reduced lunches at school and may be reduced or waived with request and approval from Hilltop Artists.

Hilltop Artists believes that promoting diversity is vital to our mission of “using glass art to connect young people from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds to better futures.” We work through our mission to center engagement and partnership with underrepresented and marginalized people and groups, and to bring diversity into all facets of our organization – staff and board, students and families, volunteers, and community partners.

We define diversity broadly to include and extend beyond notions of race, national origin, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and creative expression.

In reviewing applications to our programs, we seek students who share and uplift our values and will contribute to our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Applications by the youth of all underrepresented groups are encouraged. All experience levels are encouraged to apply.

Tony and Kawii at Wilson Hot Shop
Large Glass Sculpture in the Furnace 2021
Alum and student work together

Summer Glass Arts Class Descriptions

Glassblowing

Students learn hot shop safety, terminology and a variety of techniques and skills. By the end of the two-week session, students will create their very own paperweight, cup, bowl, and more!

Glass Fusion

Students will learn to cut and grind a variety of shapes and use them to create geometric slumped trays, creatures, and if time permits, designs of their own.

FLAMEWORKING

Students learn to use a torch to melt glass rods to create beads in a variety of colors and textures. Students create a variety of glass beads during this two-week session and learn some basic techniques for creating jewelry.

High School Glass Arts

This 4-week course will cover hot shop safety, glass art terminology, and a variety of glassblowing and flameworking skills. Students will have the opportunity to work in both glassblowing and bead-making. Specific projects will be tailored to student skill level.