GlassWorks  >

About

GlassWorks at the Banana Factory - the Lehigh Valley’s only hot glass studio - is a dynamic, hands-on educational facility dedicated to promoting an understanding and appreciation of the art of blown glass and the glass making process.

The studio offers a variety of glassblowing and flameworking classes and workshops, educational programs for at-risk youth and a visiting artist in residence program.

It is also available for private lessons and rental by professional and amateur artists interested in exploring this exciting medium.

The GlassWorks studio is adaptable for a variety of uses, programs and classes. It features a state-of-the-art furnace, gloryholes of various sizes for reheating, annealers to gradually cool the glass, pipes for blowing, ladles for casting and pouring glass, diamond grinding equipment and a variety of tools used to fashion and finish the glass, both hot and at cold.

In addition, it offers facilities for flameworking - involving the use of specially designed torches to manipulate glass art and functional objects.

GlassWorks' studio manager is artist John Choi, who has more than 10 years of experience in glass art and sculpting and has exhibited in numerous galleries nationwide. Artistic advisor for the studio is internationally-known glass artist, sculptor and painter Steve Tobin, who first rose to prominence with his monumental “water glass” sculptures.

Members of the public are invited to visit GlassWorks during
Banana Factory operating hours. Each first Friday of the month, the studio also hosts live glass blowing demonstrations from 6-9 p.m.

Additionally, as part of its
B-Smart afterschool educational initiative, the Banana Factory has created a special glassblowing program for at-risk middle school students in the Bethlehem Area School District.

NEW - GlassWorks Glassware Line

If gorgeous, functional glassware is something you’ve long desired, but it just doesn’t seem to fit into your budget, then ArtsQuest invites you to discover its new glassware series created by GlassWorks at the Banana Factory.

Starting in August, the GlassWorks staff will be offering a complete line of functional ware, including beautiful, handcrafted pitchers, glasses, bowls, vases and paperweight business card holders.

The items are perfect for dining, entertaining or display and begin at just $10. A glass pitcher, rife with color and beautiful cane glass, will retail for only $90, while the pitcher and matching four-piece tumbler set is available for only $125.

More information is coming soon!

Glass Classes

Please visit our classes page to view the current glass classes that are beingoffered at the Banana Factory.

Rentals and Private Lessons

The Hot Shop and Flameworking Studio are available for rental when not in use for classes. GlassWorks can also arrange private lessons with qualified instructors when the studio is not being used.

Please contact the Banana Factory at 610-332-1300 for details, fees and schedules.

Glass Suppliers and Tool Vendors that Support the Studio

Warner Stained Glass
www.warnerstainedglass.com
610-264-1100

Wale apparatus co.Inc
www.waleapparatus.com
610-8387047

Spiral Arts, Inc
www.spiralarts.com
206-768-9765

Gaffer Glass
www.gafferglassusa.com
877-395-7600

www.glassart.org
206-382-2630

Donors Supporting the Glass Studio

GlassWorks has the backing of several major donors. ArtsQuest would like to take this opportunity to thank them. It’s through the devotion and generosity of these fine people and organizations that the Banana Factory is able to continue its mission of providing opportunities for the Lehigh Valley community to experience performing, visual and educational arts.

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