Flower Sampler Class at GRT Hot Glass Studios

Welcome to all who are either experiencing the GRT Hot Glass Studio for the first time or are repeat visitors.  We are delighted to have you join us for what we hope is a very enjoyable and educational experience.

Your instructor is Mr. Matt Kenyon who received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Furniture Design from the Herron School of Art and Design. He has been blowing glass for over 19 years and teaching for more than 16.  Please follow his instructions at all time as his primary concern is your safety, especially when handling material that is 2000°+ F in temperature!

What to expect:
This is around a 2.5 hour class where you can create a colored glass flower for a wonderful experience that the you will never forget. This hands on Sampler class is the quickest version to give you a test taste of working with molten glass. Matt the instructor will start the class with two demos then students go two at a time until we are finished. You are welcome to leave after you create your piece. Part of the enjoyment of this class is watching everyone figure out this wondrous and fluid medium. Each flower will be unique in every way. What we are focusing on is how to work with a molten liquid and how to keep it under control. Each student will be getting glass out of a furnace that is over 2000 degrees with our assistance and will be introducing color to it. The students will form a flower or something close to it. Students will get enough practice to figure out the properties of the medium, but it takes a private lesson (where we go around first base to get to second base) to get enough practice time to feel comfortable. (See below for a private lesson option). A private lesson will be less intimidating and less overwhelming than a full sampler class. Trust me, you want to do a private lesson if you can swing it.

The glass studio can be an intimidating setting for beginners and the instructor will do his best to help get you to feel as comfortable as possible by explaining the properties of the glass and how to stay safe handling this molten liquid. There is a lot of information so please come on time. The Glass studio is hot and it is more serious than most people expect. If you touch the wrong part of the pipe you will burn yourself and every part of the demonstration is done slow to show teach the students to go slow.

For Your Safety

1. Do not touch anything that might be hot. Blowpipes, panties or pontils, etc… will glow red when super-heated but can still burn a person severely even when they are not red.  The silver portion of the blowpipe will be cool enough to touch so keep your hands near the mouthpiece end.
2. Do not pick up glass off the floor. It might have sharp edges and/or it might be very hot.  The maintenance team will sweep up at the end of the evening.
3. Do not look into the barrels where glass is cooling. As heated glass cools, it cannot release the stress in it other than to explode.  You will hear it snapping against the sides of the barrels as it sheds itself from the pipes or pontils.
4. Be aware of your surroundings. If you are not making a piece you are welcome to watch others as they do, so please give them ample space in which to work.
5. Proper Attire for a Glass Hot Shop. Please wear closed toed shoes and cotton comfortable clothes. It will be hot.

Picking Up Your Pieces After Class

Your glass items will need to anneal for a period of time before they are ready to pick up.  This allows any latent stress in the glass to dissipate without the piece breaking and is an important part of the overall creation process.  The items will be available one week after the class and may be picked up in the office of GRT Glass Design, located at the other end of the building from GRT Hot Glass Studio.

. They need to be annealed, or cooled properly and will be available at the front desk at GRT Hot Glass Studios between 8:15 and 4:15 Monday through Friday, if you cannot make those times available contact Matt Kenyon to coordinate a time works into your schedule. Please be nice, patient and respectful when picking up your work.

If you have questions or you would like to sign up just contact Matt Kenyon at kenyonscreations@gmail.com

DO A LESSON INSTEAD OF A SAMPLER !!! You will not be disappointed!!!

Class Listings and Options

There are a variety of ways to learn about glass – from single session samplers to private lessons – all tailored to your individual level of interest in the medium.  The following is a list of options from which you may choose or mix and match them to create a unique curriculum just for you.

Samplers

For beginners who have no experience in working with glass, a sampler is a terrific way to immerse yourself in working with the material without devoting significant amounts of time or money.  Think of them as topical surveys geared to impart the maximum amount of exposure in a minimum of time.

Samplers are built around themes often tied to times of the years.  In the fall, pumpkin making is featured; at Christmas, ornaments are the focus; in February, hearts for Valentine’s Day are very popular; and paperweights can be created at any time of the year.

You can register for a sampler as an individual or should you have a group interested in doing this together, a private sampler may be arranged for you.  Corporate “team building” sessions, birthday parties, family outings, and other gatherings have all been held successfully in this setting and when it is over all participants, will have a unique item they created as a reminder of their time in the studio.

Pricing

Sampler pricing is based on the number attending and what is being made.  Please see the table below:

Private Lessons

If after experiencing a sampler you have the desire to continue working with glass, a private lesson offers the most effective way to further develop your skills.  The setting is generally limited to one or two persons and the smaller class size allows for more individualized attention than a sampler as well as the opportunity to make more items during the class.  The standard class length is 2 hours and during this time most students make between 4 and 7 items.  The type of items made in the first lesson include solid work snowmen, flowers, and paperweights .

If you’re interested in making a blown vessel, a 3 hour class is needed.  The Date Night class is for 2 persons and includes making a glass heart in addition to other items.  The table below sets out the price schedule:

Finally, if your group is interested in a glass blowing demonstration, Matt has a portable furnace he will bring to your location.  This is an ideal way to break the monotony of monthly meetings for associations, professional groups, or students and is guaranteed to thrill and amaze attendees.

To register for a sampler, lessons, or a demonstration, log onto https://www.eventbrite.com/o/matt-kenyon-at-kenyonscreationscom-6169064267 or contact him at http://kenyonscreations.com or see the Kenyon’s Creations home page on Facebook.

Matt Kenyon

Matt Kenyon received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Furniture Design from the Herron School of Art and Design. He has been blowing glass for 17 years and teaching for more than 10.  Aside from teaching private lessons, he exhibits his work at The Harrison Center for the Arts located at 16^th and Delaware Streets in Indianapolis.  The Center conducts a “First Friday” event each month and his work is offered for sale at these as well as by appointment.

A gallery of his work is shown below to provide a brief illustration of the depth and breadth of items he produces.  Work is also offered on a commission basis.  Matt may be contacted at https://www.eventbrite.com/o/matt-kenyon-at-kenyonscreationscom-6169064267 or contact him at http://kenyonscreations.com or see the Kenyon’s Creations home page on Facebook.

Thank You!

Thank you for choosing to learn about glass and its many attributes and uses here at GRT Hot Glass Studio.  Sharing our experience and seeing class members catch the bug when working with glass is a very rewarding activity and we hope you feel the same.  Like any skill, it is improved with practice so if you think you might like to become more deeply involved in this as a hobby, we are ready to assist. Please remember to “like” us on Facebook and feel welcome to post pictures there or on Twitter, Instagram, or other social media platform.