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Step inside Duluth’s Lake Superior Art Glass studio and shape molten glass into vivid paperweights. This hands-on class blends traditional craft with a one-of-a-kind creative adventure on Lake Superior’s edge.
Step inside Duluth’s Lake Superior Art Glass studio and shape molten glass into vivid paperweights. This hands-on class blends traditional craft with a one-of-a-kind creative adventure on Lake Superior’s edge.
Book with Lake Superior Art Glass
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Lake Superior Art Glass · Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth, Minnesota, perched on the rugged shores of Lake Superior, is known for its vast natural beauty and outdoor adventures. But beyond the hiking trails and shoreline vistas, a different kind of creative journey awaits at Lake Superior Art Glass. Here, the fiery alchemy of molten glass transforms into tangible art through their signature Paperweight Class. This unique hands-on workshop invites participants aged 10 and older to shape glowing glass into stunning paperweights, with an especially charming twist: heart-shaped paperweights available during February. Each crafted piece is both a decorative statement and a lasting memento, blending artistry with a tactile experience.
The class unfolds in the heart of Duluth’s Canal Park, an area where industrial heritage meets lakeside culture. You’ll watch as raw molten glass, heated to extreme temperatures, becomes pliable in expert hands and then yours. With guidance from skilled instructors, you manipulate colors and forms, swirling and twisting the glass before it cools into solid brilliance. This process showcases an ancient craft in a modern setting, connecting participants to the elemental energy of fire and earth.
Lake Superior Art Glass stands out in the adventure landscape for offering an indoor creative escape adjacent to one of America’s most dramatic freshwater coastlines. Unlike typical outdoor activities, this experience fuses art, science, and personal expression — ideal for those seeking a memorable, hands-on introduction to glasswork. Whether you're a local or visiting the North Shore, the Paperweight Class offers an unexpected dimension to your Duluth itinerary: a moment to slow down, engage your senses, and take home a piece of the lake’s wild spirit in glass form.
This studio is not only an artistic hub but a reflection of Duluth’s evolving identity, merging craftsmanship with the city’s natural and cultural roots. If your travels take you to Minnesota’s great lake, diving into this molten glass experience offers a creative adventure uniquely tied to place and tradition.
easy.
1–2 hours.
Suitable for all fitness levels as the activity is seated with light manual dexterity required.
No previous glassmaking experience is required. Instructors guide you through every step.
The minimum age to participate is 10 years old due to safety around hot glass.
Classes run between one to two hours, depending on group size.
Yes, February classes feature heart shapes, and the standard option is a round paperweight.
Glass pieces cool overnight and are ready for pick-up the next day after 3:30 PM, or they can be shipped.
Yes, you can book as a group of up to 6 people, with pricing adjusted accordingly.
Duluth grew as a key shipping hub on Lake Superior, shaping the area's industrial and artistic heritage.
Lake Superior Art Glass emphasizes sustainable practices by using recycled glass materials and energy-efficient kilns.
Lake Superior Art Glass in Duluth, Minnesota offers hands-on glassworking classes and designer experiences led by expert artisans. The studio provides a broad range of sessions including Wine Goblet Class (ages 14+), Nightlight Class (ages 10+), Glass Flower Class, Pendant Necklace Class, Paperweight Class, Glass Icicle Class, and seasonal Designer Experiences such as November and December Snowman events. Group and private options include Group Flamework Class, Group Hot Shop Class, Couples Unity Glass Class, Private Class with Instructor, and corporate or social team-building sessions. For participants seeking deeper skill development, Advanced Hot Shop sessions are available to those who have completed required beginner and intermediate classes. Memorial services are supported through dedicated experiences: Memorial Paperweight Class and Memorial Nightlight Class allow mixing ashes into glass to create lasting tributes under guided instruction. Many classes involve shaping molten glass under instructor guidance and require cooling time; completed pieces are often taken home after they cool overnight. The studio collaborates with local partners for special events, including a November Designer Experience offered in connection with the North Shore Scenic Railway that bundles a snowman glass project with tickets to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum. Lake Superior Art Glass welcomes creators of different ages with age-specific classes and hosts seasonal events like March, September, October, July and August designer experiences. Booking information, class availability, and reservations are managed by the studio; Advanced Hot Shop sessions and some private bookings require phone reservation. Gift certificates and studio merchandise are available for purchase onsite year-round.
Book with Lake Superior Art Glass