Private Group Glass Art Experiences

Our Glass Socials are group Glass Discovery experiences for six or more participants that provide everybody with the opportunity to learn together. This art experience is unlike anything else available in the Twin Cities metro area, and is a fantastic group activity! Glass making provides an excellent team-building experience and is truly a unique venture. For more information on Glass Discoveries for groups smaller than six people, view our Glass Discovery page. We look forward to hosting your group! An inquiry form may be submitted through the form at the bottom of this page.

There’s no experience required and all materials are provided.

Day-of Gallery Discount: Attendees receive 10% off their in-store Gallery glass art purchases the day of their class. Valid on Artist-Made Goods and Foci-made Goods and Merch. Valid only in the Marketplace Gallery. Non-transferable. Valid only on the day of your class. 

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.

Glass Social & Private Event Requirements

  • Each participant must also fill out a Release & Indemnity Agreement either at the time of your arrival at the Foci MCGA Studio, or may be done in advance here: Adult Release Form / Minor Release Form.

  • For heat safety reasons, only individuals with closed toe shoes and full-length shirts covering the stomach may participate. Refunds will not be available due to incorrect attire.

  • Payment is due two weeks prior to the scheduled activity date.

  • Reservations with less than a 30 days notice are not guaranteed.

  • Youth and teen groups are required to have at least one non-participating chaperone per 4 students. Since chaperones are not participating, they do not need to pay.

  • Project Pickup: The glass pieces made will be cooled in a kiln for at least 24 hours, and then will be ready for pickup within 7 days of your reservation. For groups we package all the projects together, and request one person picks up the projects all at once. If your work is not picked up within 30 days of your group glass blowing experience, it is considered abandoned and it will be recycled. Shipping all paperweights to one location is available for an additional fee.

Minimum Requirements for Participation in Foci MCGA Programs

  • Students must be at least 14 years of age to work independently (excluding Kids Camps) with parent’s permission (signed guardian release form on file). Students aged 9-13 are allowed with the presence of a parent/guardian.

  • All students and parents/guardians of minor students are required to read and sign a waiver, which indicates all of the safety risks involved with glassblowing and provides contact information. Adult Release Form / Minor Release Form

  • It is the responsibility of the student to take care of themselves if they possess any health or cognitive conditions that could be affected by working in Foci MCGA’s facilities. It is the responsibility of the student to notify staff of such conditions, should it affect their health and impair regular studio operations.

  • Students are not permitted to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol during class.

  • Students must bring closed-toed shoes and wear the provided safety glasses.

  • Title IX Statement: Foci MCGA is committed to providing a learning and working environment that promotes personal integrity, civility, and mutual respect in an environment free of sexual misconduct and discrimination. Title IX makes it clear that violence and harassment based on sex and gender are Civil Rights offenses subject to the same kinds of accountability and the same kinds of support applied to offenses against other protected categories such as race, national origin, etc. Harassment is not acceptable. Immediately notify the Executive Director if you or someone you know has been harassed or assaulted during any Foci MCGA program, event, rental or on Foci MCGA premises.

Fees, Payment Transfers & Refunds

  • Deposits, administrative fees, and consultation fees are nonrefundable.

  • Refunds will not be available when individuals are unable to participate due to wearing the incorrect attire.

  • Foci MCGA does not fully refund any classes. A 50-percent refund will be given for cancellations made at least 14 days before the start of class. No refund will be given after that time. If you need to cancel, please email contact@mnglassart.org or call 612-759-8476. If it is necessary for us to cancel a class for any reason, a full refund will be given.

  • Group experiences may reschedule 25 or more days in advance of the event without penalty. Group experiences are charged a $50.00 administrative fee--per group--for any reservation or registration cancellation made less than 14 days prior to the scheduled activity.

  • Inclement Weather Policy: Regular hours of operation may be impacted by weather, holidays, etc. Check the Hot Shop Calendar for closings. Foci MCGA is dedicated to providing a safe working environment for all renters and users. We do not want to create any unsafe situations. In the case of severe weather, please call to verify that the studio will be open for use. Severe weather closings are at the discretion of Staff and will be at the consideration of the safety of our renters and users.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • If you have a full group determined by the standard group size for that specific object, we may be able to accommodate your request if we have availability. We typically need at least two months notice for group reservations. Please inquire to see if we have availability.

  • Due to limited space, we ask that all attendees are paying participants. You may purchase a seat for any individual wishing to attend and watch.

  • Yes! Students must be at least 14 years of age to work independently, and students aged 9-13 are allowed with the presence of a parent/guardian. All students under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian sign a digital release form, completed online before the reservation date (link here). For groups containing students under the age of 14, one non-participating chaperone will be required to attend per four attendees.

    The glass studio is not an ideal place for food consumption.

  • Unfortunately, at this time we are unable to offer additional space for eating, unless you are a large group of 25+ renting out additional space.

    There are a number of restaurants in the neighborhood that are great for groups! Let us know if you need any suggestions.

    If your group is interested in bringing food, we have a shared kitchen space in our building that may be available upon request. Please add in your inquiry a request for more information.