A GLASS EXPERIENCE

A GLASS EXPERIENCE

MICHIGAN HOT GLASS

RUSSELL INDUSTRIAL CENTER

1600 CLAY ST. DETROIT, MI

BUILDING 1

COST:

$65 per glass experience. Includes 15 minutes of instruction and 45 minutes of hands-on learning. Spectators are welcome with a $5 suggested donation to The Michigan Glass Project.

A Glass Experience is a hands-on event at Michigan Hot Glass where you can explore the art of molten glass while supporting a great cause.

Held monthly, this day-long event offers four hour-long glass techniques to choose from. Under the guidance of skilled glass artists, participants will learn the basics of working with glass through flameworking, hot shop, glass fusing, and glass casting.

Each session includes a brief demonstration followed by guided hands-on time, and every participant leaves with a one-of-a-kind glass piece to take home. Come solo or bring friends and family for a creative and memorable experience! Each class is tailored for beginners, with no prior glass experience required.

All proceeds benefit the Michigan Glass Project.

EXPERIENCES

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OUR GLASS EXPERIENCES

FLAMEWORK

Flameworking is the art of shaping glass in a flame. In this class, you’ll learn how to use a torch to melt and sculpt clear and colored glass rods into your very own glass pendant. Perfect for beginners and no prior glass experience required.

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HOT SHOP

Step into the Hot Shop and try your hand at traditional glassblowing using molten glass from the furnace. With guidance from an instructor, you’ll learn how to shape hot glass with tools and your breath to create your own glass flower to take home. Perfect for beginners and no prior experience required.

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GLASS FUSING

Glass fusing is the art of melting pieces of glass together in a kiln. You’ll cut, shape, and layer colorful glass to create a tiled piece of glass like a nightlight, sun catcher, or mosaic for you to take home. This experience is perfect for beginners, with no prior glass experience required.

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GLASS CASTING

Glass casting is a hands-on way to create a unique tile or plate using molten glass. You’ll carve and sculpt your own sand mold using tools, stencils, and your hands. Molten glass will then be poured into the mold to create a truly one-of-a-kind art piece.

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OUR INSTRUCTORS

CHRIS HEDMAN

FLAMEWORK

Chris is a multimedia artist specializing in glass flameworking. He has worked with glass since 2014 and has been involved with The Michigan Glass Project since 2015. After a brief time at Wayne State University, he chose to pursue flameworking full time, refining his craft alongside mentors Drew Kups, Jeremy Ross, and Jobe Lodge.

Understanding that glass is a demanding and unforgiving medium, Chris focuses his teaching on building strong fundamentals and muscle memory, helping students gain the confidence to explore more complex forms.

HOLDEN KNAPP

FLAMEWORK

Holden Knapp began blowing glass in 2018 after attending The Michigan Glass Project for the first time. Inspired by the community he found there, he connected with mentors who helped him acquire his first torch and launch his journey in glass. Initially self taught, Holden later expanded his skills through classes with artists including Salt, Drew Kups, and Adam Thomas. In addition to flameworking, he has explored fused glass and faceting, continually refining his craft and experimenting with new techniques.

DAVE SMITH

FLAMEWORK

Dave Smith began working with glass in 1999 after earning an apprenticeship at Utopian Glassworks. Under the mentorship of Ben Clairmont, he developed a strong technical foundation, mastering techniques such as fuming, inside out work, and sculptural forms. After relocating to Detroit, Dave spent several years creating alongside the team at Urban Pheasant Glassworks and later helped cofound The Michigan Glass Project, contributing to the growth of Michigan’s glass community.

Dave currently teaches lampworking at the Flint Institute of Arts, where he continues to share his knowledge and passion for the medium with the next generation of artists.

SPENCER FERRO

HOT SHOP

Spencer is a metro Detroit glass artist who has been working in the craft since 2009. With years of hands on experience, he regularly leads group classes and immersive glass experiences, guiding students of all levels through the process. Sign up to create a glass flower of your own and experience the magic of working with molten glass firsthand.

SARAH VANDERWERP

HOT SHOP

Sarah VanderWerp is a Detroit native now raising her family in Grosse Pointe Woods. She began her journey in glassblowing three years ago as a student at Michigan Hot Glass Workshop, where her initial curiosity quickly evolved into a deep appreciation for the medium. Drawn to the balance of precision and spontaneity that glass demands, Sarah developed a true passion for the craft.

Today, she teaches beginner level and first time experience classes at MHGW, where she loves introducing new students to the excitement and creativity of working with molten glass.

MAT CAT

HOT SHOP

Mat Cat (MCA) is a multidisciplinary artist with more than 20 years of experience, currently focused on glass and sculpture. A 2009 graduate of the College for Creative Studies with a BFA, his work has been exhibited in Detroit, across the United States, and internationally. Known for his technical mastery and spirit of experimentation, MCA is equally passionate about mentoring and supporting the next generation of artists.

STEVE DEBANO

HOT SHOP

Steven DeBano is an American glass artist and instructor working at Michigan Hot Glass Workshop in Detroit. Incorporating multiple techniques into his practice, he creates both functional and sculptural forms that balance craftsmanship with artistic exploration. His work has been featured in the Michigan Regional Glass Exhibition and exhibited at the Ann Arbor Art Center and the Orion Art Center.

ASIA DOBBINS

GLASS CASTING

Asia Dobbins is a Visual Arts Education and BFA Sculpture student at Wayne State University. Her practice centers on accessibility in the arts, particularly for individuals with visual impairments, inspired by her work with Ann Arbor Public Schools. Drawn to tactile art and inclusive design, she explores educational inequities through film and multidisciplinary work.

Accessibility and equity also guide her engagement with narratives of race and identity. As a Black woman, she is committed to preserving and transcribing Black stories. She co founded the artist collective Site Works to create equitable exhibition opportunities for emerging artists and began exploring glass casting through collaborative practice.

WYATT THIRY

GLASS CASTING

Wyatt Thiry was raised in Milan and currently lives and works in Detroit as a studio technician and resident artist at Michigan Hot Glass Workshop. He is projected to graduate in 2025 from Wayne State University with a BFA concentration in metalsmithing and minors in blacksmithing and art history.

Wyatt is cofounder and communications manager of the curatorial collective Site Works, alongside Nolan Young and Asia Dobbins. His practice draws conceptual parallels between free improvised music, barn painting, newsprint cartoons, and Basque folklore, weaving these influences into a process driven by rhythm, material exploration, and cultural narrative.

STEPHANIE VOSS

GLASS FUSING

Stephanie Voss has been working with stained and art glass since 2020. She teaches introductory stained glass and glass fusing classes, guiding students through foundational techniques and creative exploration. In her own practice, she expands beyond glass to explore metal casting and sculptural forms.