Glass Flameworking, Beadmaking & Neon Classes
Are you a history aficionado who loves to step into the past, or perhaps you’re the type who loves trying new activities? Either way, our and flameworking, beadmaking, and neon classes in Minneapolis, MN, are the perfect fit and provide you with a finished product you can be proud of. These glass classes introduce students to all the necessary tool for creating glass art on the torch. Explore your whimsical side and add multiple bends to your project or build out a classic look by making a neon glass sign. Our flameworking & neon classes in Minneapolis, MN, fill up rapidly, so sign up as soon as you know you’re interested. We look forward to seeing you there! While working outside of class hours is not required, it is recommended to practice skills between classes - all actively enrolled students get discounted rental rates in the Flame and Neon Shop. Reach out to our studio phone at 612-759-8476 or the Program Manager via email for additional questions.
Requirements: Registration is available to students 14 years old and up. View our full Terms & Conditions here.
Scholarships: Find out more about our scholarship opportunities here!
In order to protect you and our instructors' health, we kindly suggest participants wear a disposable face mask to our classes to prevent the spread of illness and keep our studio running. Disposable face masks are available upon arrival if you are comfortable doing so, but are not required.
2026 Visiting Artist Workshop with Kimberly Thomas: Adaptability & Narrative in Flameworking
5-day workshop held October 7-11, 2026 on Wednesday-Friday 9am - 5pm with a one hour lunch break.
Prerequisites: No prior experience required. Open to ages 14 years and older.
Cost: $750/person. All materials are provided. Eligible for member discounts. Payment plan available here.
Workshop Locations:
Wednesday 10/7/26 - Thursday 10/8/26 at Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center (3749 Chicago Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55407)
Friday 10/9/26 - Sunday 10/11/26 at Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts (2213 Snelling Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404)
Course Description: In this workshop, students will develop technical proficiency and material fluency through the sculptural possibilities of borosilicate glass. Students will move from foundational techniques into more complex constructions, learning to shape and assemble components with precision and intent. Alongside technical refinement, the class integrates storytelling, guiding participants to build a personal sculptural language and articulate narrative through form, structure, and detail. Instruction includes both group and individual demonstrations, with an emphasis on process, craftsmanship, and the steady expansion of creative voice. This workshop is being co-hosted with Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center. Wednesday-Thursday will be held at CAFAC and Friday-Sunday at Foci MCGA.
Artist Biography: Kimberly Thomas is a biracial interdisciplinary sculptor and flameworker. She is a current artist in residence at Penland School of Crafts in Bakersville, NC. and is known for her work’s intentionally flawed and unusual motifs as well as her intricate sculptural inventions. A self-taught glass artist, Thomas earned a BFA in Ceramics from the Rhode Island School of Design and spent six years as a special effects make-up artist before she began flameworking in 2009.
Thomas’s work is often autobiographical and conveys her unique perception of the world. Drawing her influence from concepts, questions, and theories about human nature, she combines realism and fantasy. She imparts her truth into dark, yet entertaining, narratives. Recurring themes in her work include the undesirable facets of life and human nature, freedom from the corruption imposed by society, and expansion of self-knowledge. Thomas challenges viewers to face what makes them uncomfortable in order to invite opportunities for fresh perspectives and personal development. Artist’s Website
Wednesday-Sunday 9am-5pm with a 1 hour lunch break
Registration Deadline: 9/23/2026
All Recurring Flameworking and Neon Classes Offered:
Intensive Core Classes
Intro to Flameworking, 6-week course. Offered quarterly. No experience required.
Intermediate Flameworking, 6-week course. Offered semiannually. Prerequisite: Intro to Flameworking.
Intro to Beadmaking, 4-week course. Offered quarterly. No experience required.
Intro to Neon, 6-week course. Offered quarterly. No experience required.
Intermediate Neon, 6-week course. Offered semiannually. Prerequisite: Intro to Neon.
Advanced Neon - more details coming soon! Prerequisite: Intermediate Neon.
Visiting Artist Workshops, 5 day intensive class. Offered annually. Prerequisite is dependent on curriculum.
One Day Tech Sessions
Light up your Neon (Safely), 2 hour tech session. Experience suggested, but not required.
Neon: Weld Your Way To Success - more details coming soon! Prerequisite: Intro to Neon.
Beadmaking: Dots, 3 hour tech session. Prerequisite: Intro to Beadmaking.
Beadmaking: Lines & Wraps, 3 hour tech session. Prerequisite: Intro to Beadmaking.
Other Programming
Flameworking Open Studio, one day session, offered every other month. Prerequisite: Intro to Flameworking.
Beadmaking Open Studio, one day session, offered every other month. Prerequisite: Intro to Flameworking.
We strive to offer new and exciting classes and workshop each year. If you are interested in a specific technique, please inquire at contact@mnglassart.org.
Class Release Schedule:
Q1 Winter Core Classes: held January-March. Enrollment opens by November 1st. Scholarships for this quarter are due December 1st - apply here!
Q2 Spring Core Classes: held April-June. Enrollment opens by February 1st. Scholarships for this quarter are due March 1st - apply here!
Q3 Summer Core Classes: held July-September. Enrollment opens by May 1st. Scholarships for this quarter are due June 1st - apply here!
Q4 Fall Core Classes: held October-December. Enrollment opens by August 1st. Scholarships for this quarter are due September 1st - apply here!
Scholarship Opportunities: Find out more or apply here!
Looking for our brief One-Day Glass Art Experiences? Check out our current Glass Discovery offerings here.