Saturday March 28th, 2026 from 1:00pm-5:00pm
Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts welcomes spring and its community into the studio, for renewal, creativity, and connection. Gather and enjoy a variety of demonstrations by local artists that explore many of the glass processes our nonprofit studio has to offer! This includes glassblowing, flameworking, beadmaking, neon bending, kilnforming, mosaics, and stained glass! Explore the studio, get curious about glass, and speak with artists about their work! This is an excellent opportunity to watch glass artists in action, ask questions, and gain some insight into the process.
Please RSVP here so we know about how many visitors to expect! RSVP is not required, but encouraged.
There’s no fee to enter the studio space and see our demos - this event is free and open to the public! The offered activities cost $35-$45 per project (more details below).
Individuals under 14 are required to attend with a Parent or Legal Guardian.
There will be an ASL interpreter on site for the duration of the event.
Demonstrating Member Artists:
Beadmaking: McKenzie Mahoney, located in the Flame Shop
Flameworking: Patricia Punykova (@punykova), located in the Flame Shop
Neon Bending: Lila Westreich (@driftless_glass), located Flame Shop
Coldworking: Steve Claypatch and Dirk Schmitz, located in the Cold Shop
Glassblowing: David Wirth (@davidvwirth) and Jane Magyar (@emilyjane.glass), located in the Hot Shop
Kilnforming (Fusing & Slumping): Ellen Rossmiller, located in the Kiln Shop
Mosaics: Bailey Tessier (@baileyraemosaics), located in the Mold Room
Activity Descriptions:
Visitors may pre-register for Design Your Own Flowers, a hands-off hot glass experience. Participants work one-on-one with a professional glassblower to design custom glass flowers 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
Or choose to walk up and Design Your Own Stained Glass Honeycomb Suncatcher. 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 participants leave with a finished suncatcher. $35/suncatcher
View Travel & Parking Info, Accessibility Details, and FAQ here.
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 here!