Sonoran Glass School Season Opener

Saturday, September 14

6 to 8PM

Free

Adults 21 and up may BYOB!

We're kicking off the new semester with a collaborative demonstration featuring Visiting Artist Emilio Santini. Emilio will be working with the Hot Shop crew to create a piece in an entertaining and educational format. Please join us for this exciting demonstration.

On the torch, Emilio will sculpt a paperweight with small figures inside of it. That paperweight will then be incorporated into the center of a platter prepared by the Hot Shop staff.

Emilio is teaching a Visiting Artist Workshop at SGS while in town. Click the following link for more information (There is one spot left in this class): Emilio Santini | September 13-15 Goblet Making the Venetian Way and More

Final Fridays | Erika Parkin

Friday, September 27

6 to 8 PM

Free

Adults 21 and up may BYOB!

On the final Friday of every month, Sonoran Glass School will host a different visiting artist in our Hot Shop, who will provide an exciting and educational glassblowing demonstration. This event is free and open to the public. Guests 21 and up are allowed to BYOB when they RSVP.

First up is Tucson glass artist Erika Parkin! Erika Parkin is a Tucson-based glass artist, originally from Ottawa, Canada. With a background in silversmithing, Parkin initially became interested in glass through bead making. In 2002, she graduated from the Sheridan College Craft and Design program with a major in glass and moved to Arizona to begin her professional career. Erika worked alongside Tom Philabaum in his Tucson studio for over a decade. Her work can be found in private collections across the continent, as well as in Europe and the Middle East. Clearly inspired by her surroundings and the wonder that is nature, Erika’s most recent series explores varied landscapes created in syrupy rich layers of colored glass.

We are sorry to report that Nick Letson will be saying goodbye to the Sonoran Glass School family. His final day will be Thursday, September 5th. Nick has accepted a new position at the University of Arizona as the Communications Specialist for the department of University Analytics and Institutional Research (UAIR).

Nick started at SGS in October of 2012 as a contract worker for the school's youth education and social media programs before becoming Communications Director in 2014 and then Associate Director in 2016. 

Executive Director, Lynn Davis, says, "Nick has been an integral part of SGS during his time here, and is a tremendous asset, both on campus and out in the community. We are thrilled for him but he will be sorely missed!"

Come visit us at the Fall Show in Tucson [a new show in Tucson made up of three shows --a gem show (Colors of the Stone), a bead show (To Bead True Blue), and an artisan studio (Tucson Artisan Workshops)]. The show takes place at Casino Del Sol, Thursday through Sunday, September 5th through 8th, 2019 from 10am to 6pm.

Sonoran Glass School will have a booth with class information and videos for the entirety of the show and, on Friday only , we will be providing torchworking demonstrations with the TOAD (Torchworking On A Dolly).

Thank you to Jim Boulay, Darby Graham, Janien Gunterman, and the other supporters who volunteered to represent SGS at the show.

September 21st from 10AM-5PM!

Sonoran Glass School is proud to once again host the annual Bead Challenge in Tucson for our friends at Beads of Courage.

Don't miss this once-a-year opportunity to visit an Open Studio event at Sonoran Glass School! Show your support for the dedicated artists in Tucson who create glass beads over an open flame for Beads of Courage.

Visit the 2019 Bead Challenge Open Studio and participate in these fun activities:

• Select a one-of-a-kind glass bead to sponsor for a child in the BOC program

• Pick up a Carry a Bead kit to bring on your next adventure

• Create your very own custom Courage Clip to take home with you

• Watch the skill and creativity of bead artists making glass beads for BOC

Your support helps fund the mission of Beads of Courage, a nonprofit organization improving the quality of life of children coping with cancer and other serious illnesses.

Q) How did you get started in glass?

I have always liked heat and fire (I was a bit of a pyromaniac as a kid). While studying for Chemical Engineering degree, I loved the glass apparatus (Pyrex) that we used. Some of the glasswork was very complex. I took a couple of classes and was hooked.

Q) Why did you become interested in furnace glassblowing?

I was working with clear Pyrex, without any instruction, and wasn't progressing very well. I happened to go to an Open House at Pilchuck, and really loved the different scale of size,and the different use of color. My first gather was at Pilchuck in a Fritz Dreisbach class.

Q) What is your favorite part about working with glass?

I really like coming up with a design, and trying to make it, and then trying out a (hopefully) better variation on the original. Sometimes, when I'm halfway done with a piece, I'll be thinking that the next time, I need to get back to this point, and head off in a different direction.

While our public Pumpkin Fiesta is October 5th and 6th this year, we're opening up our doors to a special event for members and donors the night before. This is your special sneak peek at the fiesta! This exclusive event features complimentary wine, light eats, and opportunities to mingle with fellow students and board members.

You'll get the first opportunity to view this years crop of specialty art glass pumpkins! Join us!

Pumpkin Fiesta Members-Only Preview

Friday, October 4th 6-8PM

Sonoran Glass School | 633 W 18th Street

Click on the class links below for more information.

Many more torchworking, kiln-fusing, and glassblowing classes listed on our website.

FLAME SHOP | Introduction to Borosilicate Glas September 16, 23, 30

WARM SHOP | Introduction to Dichroic Pendants

September 21

HOT SHOP | Beginning to Advanced Classes

By Appointment

Don't miss out on these opportunities to take your skills to the next level. Check out these visiting artist workshops:

Emilio Santini | September 13-15

Goblet Making the Venetian Way and More

ONE SPOT LEFT

Beau Barrett - Evolution of Blown Boro Beads and Small Scale Tubing Techniques

October 19 & 20

Mark Hufford | Comprehensive Unique Glass Colors

October 11-13