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.
Registration is available to students 14 years old and up.
Foci MGCA offers a full-tuition scholarship open to BIPOC and a need based half-tuition scholarship open to anyone with financial need. Find out more about our scholarship opportunities here.
Masks are not required but strongly recommended. Disposable masks are available upon arrival. View our COVID-19 Policy here.
Magic Marbles Weekend: 2025 Winter Local Artist Workshop with Ashley Austin
2 day workshop from December 13-14, 2025
Saturday-Sunday 10am-4pm (with a daily 1 hour lunch break)
Prerequisite: Intro to Flameworking or equivalent required for this workshop.
Registration Deadline: 11/29/25
$400/person
Course Description: Over this 2 day workshop we will be focusing on marble making. We will explore a few different color application techniques as well as how to back your marbles. Through this process we will learn how to form round spheres of glass with graphite molds, add clear lenses to cabochons, how to work with striking colors, and how to finish our marbles with decorative backings.
Artist Biography: Ashley Austin is a flameworker and multimedia artist residing in Minneapolis, MN. She has been working with glass since 2010 after graduating from the University of Minnesota where she studied Architecture, Art and Anthropology. Her work draws on inspiration from fashion and global cultures, both contemporary and ancient. Her glass work focuses on color and pattern in marbles, jewelry and hollow forms using techniques she has developed over her career. Her work has been featured in galleries and collections in multiple countries and her work was exhibited at a solo gallery show in Miami, FL in 2023. She has always loved introducing people to the magic of flameworking and is excited to share her knowledge!
2 day workshop from December 13 & 14, 2025.
Saturday - Sunday 10am-4pm.
Registration Deadline: 11/29/25
Artist Biography: Ashley Austin is a flameworker and multimedia artist residing in Minneapolis, MN. She has been working with glass since 2010 after graduating from the University of Minnesota where she studied Architecture, Art and Anthropology. Her work draws on inspiration from fashion and global cultures, both contemporary and ancient. Her glass work focuses on color and pattern in marbles, jewelry and hollow forms using techniques she has developed over her career. Her work has been featured in galleries and collections in multiple countries and her work was exhibited at a solo gallery show in Miami, FL in 2023. She has always loved introducing people to the magic of flameworking and is excited to share her knowledge!
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.
Looking for our One-Day Glass Art Experiences? Check out our current Glass Discovery offerings here.