Walk In + Make-It-Now

Drop by Pittsburgh Glass Center for a quick introduction to glassmaking without any advance planning needed. During this walk-in session, you'll create either a glass paperweight or a blown glass ornament in about 20 minutes with guidance from the center's artists. The cost is $55 per person, and no experience is necessary—this is designed as a brief, hands-on taster of what glassmaking is all about. Children as young as 5 can participate when accompanied by an adult. Just show up and sign in at the front desk when you arrive; no registration is required, though space is limited to 6 seats per hour and popular times may fill up quickly. Keep in mind that because the glass needs time to cool, you won't be able to take your finished piece home the same day. Plan to pick it up 5 days later, or arrange shipping for an additional fee. The hot glass studio can get warm, so wearing lighter, natural fabrics is recommended, and you're welcome to bring a water bottle. The activity involves a mix of sitting, standing, and moving around, and the actual hands-on time is quite short, so the heat shouldn't be overwhelming.