Glass Studio Rentals, Services, & Pricing
Foci MCGA features a fully equipped hot shop facility, with space and equipment for flameworking, neon bending, kilnforming, stained glass, mosaic, neon, coldworking, and casting. Whether you are a glass pro or just getting started in the art form, we can accommodate you with our studio rentals in Minneapolis, MN! Come by for a tour during our public access gallery hours and we are happy to show you around our facilities and discuss how our nonprofit can support your glass practice! Below is a breakdown of what we have available in our studio and pricing, but feel free to reach out for more information at contact@mnglassart.org
To reserve studio shop time, qualified renters can visit our reservation system:
Hot Shop Reservations Cold Shop, Classroom, & Mold Room Reservations Kiln Shop Reservations Flame Shop Reservations Student Bench Reservations
Online Hot Shop reservations must be made in 3 hour increments. Shorter sessions may be available for day-of reservations - call the studio to find out: 612-759-8476. All glass studio rental time is paid for at the studio before departing during check out. Please bring your own consumable items and materials.
Hot Shop
Renters are welcome to use the shared tools and equipment provided in the Hot Shop, but are required to bring their own consumable materials such as frit. Studio users are required to wear appropriate personal protection equipment specific to the activity while working (outlined below).
(4) Glory Holes (Benches #1-#3 have a 16” diameter, Bench #4 has a 24” diameter). *During the hottest months, rental is limited to two benches for heat management.
(2) 400lb capacity furnace; molten glass is always ready to use (Bomma Cullet 96 COE)
(4) Annealers (36”w x 27”h x 29”d) See kiln pricing section for extra annealing space or longer programs
(2) Pick-up ovens (can be used to preheat color bar)
(2) Garages
(1) Powder Ventilation Booth *required for all powder usage in the studio
Oxy-GasTorches (Ranger and Mid-Range)
Gas Bench Torches (Fluffy Torch)
Hand tools, optic molds, wood blocks, pipes and punties
Gloves, protective sleeves, and sanitized safety glasses
Detachable Bernzomatic Torch head for Mapp Gas cylinders (bring your own canister)
Consumables available for purchase on-site: Protective sleeves, Blowhoses, and replacement tubing/mouthpieces for blowhoses. Membership discounts do not apply for consumable items.
Required PPE: Safety glasses, non-flammable clothing (cotton), closed-toed shoes. For loading into the kiln: use kevlar gloves or sleeves with tongs, face shield, welding jacket. Powder booth is required when using powdered glass color in the Hot Shop. PPE may be checked out from Foci MCGA staff. Shorts that reach the knee suggested to protect from burns.
| Glassblowing Pricing | Member |
Non-Member |
Hot Shop Rental (16" Glory Hole) |
$48/hr | $66/hr |
Hot Shop Rental (24" Glory Hole) |
$53/hr | $70/hr |
Hot Glass Students |
$24/hr | $24/hr |
Garage |
$5.50/hr | $10/hr |
Extra Glass Usage (more than 5 lbs/hr) |
$5/lb | $10/lb |
Bench Torch |
$3/hr | $5/hr |
Oxy-Gas Torch |
$5.50/hr | $10/hr |
Hot Shop Safety Orientation (1 hr) |
$24/person | $24/person |
For hot popping and flame polishing glassblown pieces, studio users should rent the Flame Shop. See pricing below.
For casting in the hotshop, see pricing below.
Flame & Neon Shop
Renters are welcome to use the shared tools and equipment provided in the Flame Shop, but are required to bring their own consumable materials such as color rods. Studio users are required to wear appropriate personal protection equipment specific to the activity while working (outlined below).
Flameworking & Beadmaking
(6) Bethlehem Burners Minor/Major torches- “The Stacks”
(2) Small flameworking kiln
(1) Large flameworking kiln
(1) Scientific Lathe *requires separate scheduled safety orientation with Studio Tech. Email isaac.theobald@mnglassart.org to schedule.
Assorted mandrels for beadmaking
Consumables available for purchase on-site: Borosilicate rods (4mm, 6mm, 8mm, 12mm, 12.7mm, 26mm), borosilicate tubing (26mm), blowhoses, and replacement swivels/tubing/adaptors for blowhoses. Membership discounts do not apply for consumable items.
Neon Bending
(4) 17” Ribbon burners
(1) Cannon-fire
(2) Hand Torches
A variety of didymium glasses and shades can be checked out from staff
Tube Pumping Services: By reservation only and subject to availability. No walk-ins. Email isaac.theobald@mnglassart.org to schedule.
Consumables available for purchase on-site: Transformers, endcaps, electrodes, GTO (per foot), clear soft glass tubes (per 4 ft), blowhoses, and replacement tubing/mouthpieces for blowhoses. Membership discounts do not apply for consumable items.
Required PPE: Didymium glasses, closed-toed shoes, non-flammable clothing. PPE may be checked out from Foci MCGA staff. Shorts that reach the knee suggested to protect from burns.
| Flameworking Pricing | Member |
Non-Member |
Minor Torch |
$13/hr | $22/hr |
Major Torch |
$19/hr | $30/hr |
Smith Mini/Hot Popping |
$2/hour | $4/hour |
Scientific Lathe |
$24/hour | $35/hour |
Flameworking Student Rental |
$10/hour Major Torch
$7/hour Minor Torch |
$10/hour Major Torch
$7/hour Minor Torch |
Hot Popping/Flame Polishing |
$2.50/hour Ranger Torch
$5/hour Multimix Torch |
$4.50/hour Ranger Torch
$9/hour Multimix Torch |
Flame Shop Safety Orientation (1 hr) |
$24/person | $24/person |
Lathe Safety Orientation (1.5-2 hr) |
$35/person | $35/person |
| Neon Pricing | Member |
Non-Member |
Neon Torch Rental |
$13/hr | $22/hr |
Neon Student Rental |
$7/hour | $7/hour |
Tube Pumping Deposit |
$8 | $8 |
Tube Pumping |
$20 | $38 |
Mercury Tube Pumping |
$28 | $46 |
Neon Safety Orientation (1 hr) |
$24/person | $24/person |
Cold Shop
Renters are welcome to use the shared tools and equipment provided in these spaces, but are required to bring their own consumable materials such as duct tape. Studio users are required to wear appropriate personal protection equipment specific to the activity while working (outlined below).
(2) Loose grit flatting wheels
(1) 24” magnetic pad flatting wheel
(1) 4 station - 12” magnetic pad flatting machine
(1) Cutting lathe
(1) Handheld die grinder
(2) Wet saws
(1) Upright belt sander
(1) Sandblaster
(1) Tabletop wire saw
(6) Tabletop flat glass grinders
(2) Engraving lathes *requires separate scheduled safety orientation with Studio Tech. Email isaac.theobald@mnglassart.org to schedule.
Consumables available for purchase on-site: Cerium. Membership discounts do not apply for consumable items.
Required PPE: Clear safety glasses, closed-toed shoes, ear protection, and no dangling clothing or jewelry. Vinyl apron and waterproof footwear is recommended. Dust mask or respirator is recommended when using sandblaster. Latex, nitrile, or rubber gloves must be worn when handling liquid solvents, adhesives, etching creams, etc. PPE may be checked out from Foci MCGA staff.
Member |
Non-Member |
|
Equipment Rental |
$13/hr | $24/hr |
Cerium (3 oz) |
$10 for 3oz | $10 for 3oz |
Coldshop Safety Orientation (1 hr) |
$24/person | $24/person |
Engraving Lathe Safety Orientation (1.5-2 hr) |
$35/person | $35/person |
Classroom & Mold Room
Renters are welcome to use the shared tools provided in these spaces, but are required to bring their own consumable materials such as sheet glass and frit, adhesives, tape, solder, patina, etc. Studio users are required to wear appropriate personal protection equipment specific to the activity while working (outlined below).
Classroom work tables are available for flat glass cutting, gluing and assembling, and set up and preparation. Renters should supply their own glass and consumables such as sheet glass, frit, patina, solder, etc.
The Mold Room is available for rental and is well equipped with moldmaking and wax working tools. Renters should supply their own moldmaking materials such as plaster.
The Cold Shop work table may be available to rent under certain circumstances, but are normally reserved for those renting the equipment.
Sanitized safety glasses are available for use, as well as shared tools and tables.
The Kiln Room work table is available to rent under the Kiln Shop Calendar.
Consumables available for purchase on-site: Bullseye Thin Fire Paper (20.5” x 20.5” sheet). Membership discounts do not apply for consumable items.
Required PPE: A dust mask or particulate respirator must be used when mixing dry mold material. Mixing must be done in the Mold Room powder booth. Latex, nitrile, or rubber gloves must be worn when handling liquid mold materials. Safety glasses must be used when handling glass. An apron is recommended. Latex, nitrile, or rubber gloves must be worn when handling liquid solvents, adhesives, etching creams, etc. PPE may be checked out from Foci MCGA staff.
Member |
Non-Member |
|
Work Table Rental |
$13/hr | $24/hr |
Mold Room Safety Orientation (1 hr) |
$24/person | $24/person |
Kiln Shop
Renters are welcome to use the shared tools provided in the Cold Shop, but are required to bring their own consumable materials such as sheet glass, frit, duct tape, etc. Studio users are required to wear appropriate personal protection equipment specific to the activity while working (outlined below).
(1) Rectangular top loading kiln with top and side elements for fusing and casting (41” x 27” x 15”)
(2) Oval top loading kilns with top and side elements for fusing and casting (41” x 22.5” x 11.25”)
(1) Octagon top loading kiln with side elements for fusing and casting (17” x 17” x 21”)
(1) Front loading Paragon kiln with top elements for fusing and casting (24” x 24” x 15”)
(1) Round top loading Jen-Ken Kiln with side elements for fusing and small castings (14.5” x 14.5” x 5.5”)
Consumables available for purchase on-site: Bullseye Thin Fire Paper (20.5” x 20.5” sheet). Membership discounts do not apply for consumable items.
Required PPE: Safety glasses, gloves are recommended when handling glass, closed-toed shoes, dust mask or particulate respirator required when preparing kiln shelves and using powders, and sifting sand. Kevlar gloves, protective sleeves, and face shield required when charging a kiln or manipulating glass at a high temp. PPE may be checked out from Foci MCGA staff.
Member |
Non-Member |
|
Denver, Oval 1 & 2, Octagon, and ParagonFusing or Casting *Program must be approved by staff* | $3/hr |
$4.20/hr |
Test Kiln |
$24 for 24 hours | $37 for 24 hours |
Fuse & Slump Combo |
$60 per cycle | $100 per cycle |
Bullseye ThinFire (20"x20") | $12/sheet |
$12/sheet |
Kiln Shop Safety Orientation (1 hr) |
$24/person | $24/person |
Hot Casting Rental
Hot Casting Reservations must be approved by staff 1 week prior to rental to ensure proper glass supply and staffing. Studio users are required to wear appropriate personal protection equipment specific to the activity while working and have adequate assistance.
Base rental prices includes 1 workstation, 1 furnace at 2250°, ⅕ annealer space per 3 hours, access to sand and graphite slabs and ladles.
Renters are required to pay for all glass used. Castings and ladle waste will be weighed by staff and renter will be invoiced.
A personal annealer is required for sand casting or if needing extra space or an extended annealing program, cleaning fee may apply.
A staff assistant may be required depending on team size/renter’s experience level.
Required PPE: Safety glasses, non-flammable clothing (cotton), closed-toed shoes. For loading into the kiln: use kevlar gloves or sleeves with tongs, face shield, welding jacket. PPE may be checked out from Foci MCGA staff.
Member |
Non-Member |
|
Studio & Equipment Rental |
$48/hr |
$66/hr |
Glass |
$5/lb |
$10/lb |
Personal annealer |
$3/hour $42 for 24 hours |
$4.20/hour $60 for 24 hours |
Oxy Acetylene Torch |
$2.50/hr |
$4/hr |
Staff Assistant |
$26.40/hour |
$26.40/hour |
Email isaac.theobald@mnglassart.org to schedule.