Education

Explore the true nature and the potential of glass, and develop your skills... The Glass Furnace provides an environment that allows and encourages creativity, with education programs at all levels for those who are new to the art of glass and those who have worked with glass before.

The programs cover instruction on theory, techniques, and materials. Most courses offered are intensive two-week courses, however, there are also courses of longer durations. Most classes provide introduction to various techniques. All of the classes are given by instructors with international teaching backgrounds. The aim is to equip the students with basic skills necessary for working with glass, as well as to develop their aesthetic sensibilities.

Click on the name of the class to get more information.

Beadmaking
Glassblowing
Enameling
Fusing
Kilncasting
Lampworking
Mixed Media
Raku
Hotcasting
Glass Painting
Neon

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TWO WEEK INTENSIVE COURSES

Language
English is the language of instruction in all classes taught by foreign teachers. Therefore, students should have enough language skills to benefit from classes and campus activities. Please contact our education department if you need any assistance on this matter.

Class Sizes
Class sizes are determined seperately for each course to maximize productivity, and vary between 6 and 10 students.

Class Schedules
Although short term courses are scheduled between 08:30 to 17:30, each course has its own program set by the instructor and the class schedules are given to students upon their arrival. The hot shop is available for students between 08:30 to 16:30.

Activities
A hands-on approach is practiced in every class. This approach can be seen in all of the courses, extending to activities like discussions, presentations, slide shows, exhibitions and performance shows. The students get to know various aspects of glass and share the instructors' experiences gained in world-renowned studios and reflected in their artworks.

Artists' presentations are among the various activities that take place in the evenings. Students are also encouraged to share their experiences or to make presentations to enhance life at the Glass Furnace.

Supplies
The essential tools and supplies that the students might need depend on the techniques that are involvedused in each course. Most basic supplies needed for introduction, experimentation, or presentationin classes are provided by the Glass Furnace. Some specific tools and basic materials for painting and drawing, flat glass, glass plates for printing, clay etc. could either be purchased from the Glass Furnace or the students can bring their own. In some courses it may be necessary to charge a flat rate for materials.

Teaching Assistants
During its first years of education, The Glass Furnace will prefer assistants of Turkish nationality to further its mission of 'redeveloping Turkish glass art'. Please contact the school at apply@glassfurnace.org for further information.


What to Bring

• Portfolio covering your previous sketchs, designs, slides, etc. sketchbooks, pen, rubber for drawing.
• Ideas and designs you can use of during the course.
• Armband: It is strictly recommended for glassblowing students to bring one. You can create your own easily with an old cotton sock by cutting off the bottom part. It must cover and protect your arm from wrist to elbow.
• Protection Glasses: It is strictly recommended for the glassblowing, beadmaking and lampworking students to bring their didymium spectacles. These spectacles are developed to protect the eyes from yellow sodium flare while working with hot glass.
• Dust Masks: It is strictly recommended for kilncasting and fusing students to bring a half facepiece respirator. The Glass Furnace provides regular dust masks to prevent dense dust molecules but they are less effective.
• The students are also advised to bring hard shoes with them to protect from wounds while working.
• Cotton clothing, towels and spare t-shirts are recommended for those who will work in the hot shop.