Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts will be participating in the 2026 Doors Open Minneapolis on Saturday May 9th, 2026 and Sunday May 10th, 2026 from 10:00am-5:00pm each day (see schedule below for activity times and availability)
Visitors will experience the energy of a working glass studio through guided tours, live demonstrations, and hands-on activities that highlight both stained glass and glassblowing processes free of charge.
Individuals under 14 are required to attend with a parent or guardian.
Activities & Schedule:
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10:00am-5:00pm: Visitors can join brief guided studio tours offered every 20 minutes, providing a behind-the-scenes look at our hot shop, cold shop, and education spaces.
10:00am-5:00pm: In addition, guests may participate in a Stained Glass Pendant Activity, led by local artist Lucie Cherel. Participants will choose from pre-cut, copper-foiled glass pieces, which artists will solder on demand and finish with a jump ring. Those interested may try soldering themselves under supervision, and everyone leaves with a finished pendant. Activity is free of charge and walk-up, no pre-registration available.
2:00pm-5:00pm: Design Your Own Glassblown Mug with local artist David Wirth is a hands-off, beginner-friendly experience combining live glassblowing demonstration with guided audience participation. Throughout the event, visitors are invited to help guide the creative process by voting on mug shapes, color combinations, handle styles, and other functional details as David works in the hot shop. While attendees won’t handle hot glass or tools, they’ll get an up-close look at the glassblowing process and play an active role in shaping the final design. At the end of the demonstration, one lucky attendee will take the finished mug home! Guests can enter a free raffle during the event for a chance to win the freshly made piece. The mug will cool slowly in the kiln and be available for gallery pickup within seven days. No pre-registration required — just walk in, watch the magic happen, and enter to win!
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10:00am-5:00pm: Visitors can join brief guided studio tours offered every 20 minutes, providing a behind-the-scenes look at our hot shop, cold shop, and education spaces.
10:00am-5:00pm: Pre-register for Design Your Own Glassblown Flower with local artist Lynn Bierbaum, a hands-off hot glass experience. Participants work one-on-one with a professional glassblower to design custom glass flower by selecting colors and patterns, then observe as their designs are formed in real time using molten glass in the hot shop. This experience is observation-based only; participants do not handle hot glass or tools. Finished pieces cool slowly in the kiln and will be ready for gallery pickup within seven days. Registration can be found below!
10:00am-1:00pm: Design Your Own Glassblown Mug with local artist David Wirth is a hands-off, beginner-friendly experience combining live glassblowing demonstration with guided audience participation. Throughout the event, visitors are invited to help guide the creative process by voting on mug shapes, color combinations, handle styles, and other functional details as David works in the hot shop. While attendees won’t handle hot glass or tools, they’ll get an up-close look at the glassblowing process and play an active role in shaping the final design. At the end of the demonstration, one lucky attendee will take the finished mug home! Guests can enter a free raffle during the event for a chance to win the freshly made piece. The mug will cool slowly in the kiln and be available for gallery pickup within seven days. No pre-registration required — just walk in, watch the magic happen, and enter to win!
Gallery Promotions:
Throughout the weekend, Foci MCGA will host a promotional gallery sale featuring handmade glass artwork. Visitors who spend $30 or more will receive one free glass pocket heart, encouraging exploration of our gallery and supporting local artists. Offer is non-transferrable and only valid during 5/9/26-5/10/26 while supplies last.
Our gallery will also be holding a Mother’s Day promotional sale. Visitors who spend $50 or more are eligible to receive one free glassblown flower, pre-made by Foci MCGA staff. Offer is non-transferrable and only valid during 5/9/26-5/10/26 while supplies last.
Exhibition on View: Our on-site gallery space will also have a glass exhibition for attendees to view! The Solo Exhibition Streptomyces by MiNHi England, Netflix Blown Away Series 3 Finalist, explores the paradox of Streptomyces bacteria as a metaphor for grief. Through material transformations represented in glass, MiNHi’s artwork reflects how loss, illness, and love can metabolize decay into survival. This exhibit is also on view March 6-May 9, 2026 at Foci MCGA during public access hours. Learn more about the solo exhibition by MiNHi here!
Image of the exhibition Streptomyces by photographer Mackenzie Serwa