Step into the heat and wonder of glassblowing with the "A Feel For The Furnace" workshop in Asheville. Discover the art of shaping molten glass while creating your own unique piece in just three hours.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
3 hours
Fitness Level
No special fitness level required; suitable for most adults and teenagers comfortable standing and using basic hand tools.
Wildlife
History
Asheville has a rich history of artisan crafts influenced by Appalachian traditions and was a hub for glassmaking in the Southeast.
Conservation
The North Carolina Glass Center emphasizes sustainable studio practices, including recycling glass and reducing energy consumption.
North Carolina Glass Center
Step into the heat and wonder of glassblowing with the "A Feel For The Furnace" workshop in Asheville. Discover the art of shaping molten glass while creating your own unique piece in just three hours.
North Carolina Glass Center is a hands-on glass art studio based in Black Mountain, North Carolina, offering workshops and multi-week classes in both Black Mountain and Asheville. The center focuses on hot glassblowing, flameworking, and fused glass, providing experiences for beginners, hobbyists, and aspiring artists. Classes range from brief 30-minute make-your-own sessions to immersive eight-week courses and three-hour workshops. Instructors guide participants through safety, studio terminology, and step-by-step techniques to create paperweights, ornaments, cups, marbles, pendants, icicles, miniature sculptures, fused tiles, and small blown forms.
The studio’s schedule includes short experiences such as 30- and 50-minute make-your-own sessions, 60-minute specialty projects like donut pendants, 3-hour introductory workshops, and structured 8-week courses including Hot Shop 101, Hot Shop 201, and Flame Shop 101: Intro to Boro. Wesley Thurston leads the flameworking boro course. Sessions emphasize safety, individualized instruction, and clear demonstrations so participants complete tangible keepsakes. Materials, tools, and kiln-firing or annealing when required are provided by the studio. The center caters to solo visitors, families, small groups, and students seeking technical progression from introductory classes to intermediate skill-building. Booking information, schedules, and specific class prerequisites are available through the studio’s listings. North Carolina Glass Center’s combination of brief hands-on options and longer technical courses makes it a practical destination for first-time makers and committed learners interested in glass art.
Location
Black Mountain, NC
Studio in Black Mountain and Asheville
Class Lengths
30 min–8 weeks
Short sessions to multi-week courses
Hands-on Formats
Make-your-own to courses
Hot shop, flame shop, fusing
Named Instructor
Wesley Thurston
Leads Intro to Boro course
Choose from 30-minute make-your-own sessions to 3-hour workshops and 8-week courses — check listings and book a spot today.
Wear natural fibers
Choose cotton or linen clothing to stay comfortable and safe around high heat and molten glass.
Stay hydrated
The furnace area can get quite warm, so bring water and drink plenty before and after the workshop.
Arrive early
Arriving at least 15 minutes early ensures you have time for a safety briefing and to settle in before starting.
Wear closed-toe shoes
Protect your feet from hot materials and accidental drops by wearing sturdy, closed-toe footwear.
Cotton clothing
Protects you from heat since synthetic fabrics can melt or catch fire near the furnace.
Closed-toe, sturdy shoes
Keeps your feet safe from falling hot glass or tools.
Water bottle
Helps keep you hydrated in hot conditions inside the studio.
summer
Light sweater or jacket
For comfortable cool temperatures when arriving or leaving the studio.
fall