Hello Lightning Tamers!
As the winter season approaches, so does the desire for Spring and Winter to arrive! The 2026 schedule for week-long Neon and Plasma intensives at the Pittsburgh Glass Center is here, and I’m excited to share it with you as quickly as it landed in my hands.
The Pittsburgh Glass Center (PGC) has grown as a hub for those looking to explore the luminous world of neon and plasma since 2018. With recent expansion in 2024 from the Shattering Expectations Champaign we know have a dedicated studio for neon and plasma processing available today, making PGC the the perfect place to hone your craft, spark new ideas, or take your first steps into this electrifying art form.
The facilities are top-notch, and the environment is both welcoming and creatively charged. Whether you’re a beginner, an intermediate learner, or a seasoned bender looking to expand your skills, these week-long intensives offer a chance to fully immerse yourself in the magic of light and glass.
To keep things simple and get this information to you quickly, I’ve grouped both neon and plasma workshops into a single post. If you’d prefer separate announcements for other classes in the future, feel free to let me know!
Don’t wait too long to sign up—these workshops fill up fast. Secure your spot, as registration begin December 1st!
Percy Echols II
Taming Lightning
Registration and Tuition
Summer intensive classes are posted online by Thanksgiving. Registration opens December 1. Registration remains open until all seats in class are full. Classes are filled on a first come, first served basis. Full payment is required to secure placement in any class.
Tuition is subject to “early bird pricing” as follows:
- $950/1-week intensive (prior to February 1)
- $1,000/1-week intensive (February 1 – April 14)
- $1,050/1-week intensive (April 15 and beyond)
Wait List
If a class is full, students can join the wait list by clicking Join the Wait List on the registration page. If we receive a cancellation, students will be contacted in order by date of registration on the waiting list.
Waves Through Space: Color Theory and Suspended Forms
with Kacie Lees
neon, tube bending
Date: June 8th – 12th, 2026
Time: 9:00 pm – 5:00 pm
+Studio Time: 6:00 pm – 9:30pm
Skill Level: Beginner
Tuition: $950
Light is energy in motion—electromagnetic pulses that radiate through space. In this immersive, hands-on neon intensive, you will explore light not just as a physical phenomenon, but as a material for glowing, sculptural expression.
After an introduction to the physics of lightwaves and the chromatic composition of neon phosphors and gas, we will move into the lab to shape vibrant colors into fluid forms on the ribbon burner. Students will explore motion, energy, and spatial presence and learn how to safely install their sweeping gestures suspended from above. Basic sign-making techniques, including traditional bends, wall-mounting, and wiring, will be covered.
This five-day class is ideal for both beginners and experienced makers seeking to expand their practice.
Additional Class Materials + Fees
- $60 for neon transformer
- A blowhose is required is required for this class. Students may bring their own or blow hose kits will be on site for purchase for $40.
Evening Open Studio
Studios are open until 9:30PM for students to practice. Depending on the class, process, and techniques, this time might be highly suggested by instructors for students to use. In other classes, this time might be considered optional.
For more information, please review Summer Intensives.
Learn more about Kacie Lees at kacielees.com
This five-day class is ideal for both beginners and experienced makers seeking to expand their practice.
Stealing Fire, Taming Lightning
with Percy Echols II
Furnace Blown Glass, Plasma, Sculpting
Date: July 20th — 24th, 2026
Time: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
+Studio Time: 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Skill Level: Intermediate; basic furnace glassblowing required.
Tuition: $950
This five-day class is an introduction to the emerging artistic medium known as plasma light art. We will combine the fundamentals of physics and furnace glassblowing to create illuminated glass sculptures – the proverbial lightning in a bottle!
There is something magical about this process of making light. By producing light through the use of electrified gases, we create an invitation for play as it responds to your proximity and touch. If you think this is neon, you will be surprised how different this will be. Plasma light art is an evolving and experimental art form. If this sounds interesting, then I invite you to come join us.
We will cover the fundamentals for creating a vacuum tight vessel using various hot glass techniques and shaping methods. We will also discuss guidelines on form and structure, design considerations, and preparing your sculptures to be filled.
Our class time will start with demonstration, practice exercises, lecture/discussion and offer as much work time as possible. When you include having to fill our sculptures with gas, we will need all the time the class has to offer! Expect to make use of open studio time.
A list of easy to digest resources is available to prepare yourself at “Plasma Primer: Learning Resource for Students, Co-learners, and Educators” on taminglightning.net
Evening Open Studio
Studios are open until 9:30PM for students to practice. Depending on the class, process, and techniques, this time might be highly suggested by instructors for students to use. In other classes, this time might be considered optional.
For more information, please review Summer Intensives.
Learn more about Percy Echols II at www.taminglightning.net
Hot glassblowing has always been a collaborative art making process. This class requires some basic hot glass skills and an open mind prone to misdirection. So it’s important that you are comfortable working in the hot shop and working with a partner. This means you have a working knowledge of glassblowing fundamentals, while you may need some guidance here or there, and the ability to work through independent ideas with coaching and demonstration.
Lightning in a Bottle: Plasma Filled Borosilicate
with Angela McHale
Flameworking, Plasma
Date: July 27th — 31st, 2026
Time: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
+Studio Time: 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Skill Level: Intermediate
Tuition: $1,350.00
In this intermediate five-day class, you will learn the fundamentals of hollow sculpting borosilicate glass at the torch in order to design plasma lighting. We will cover shaping, texture, and creating proper seals to make simple and complex sculptures. Sculpting techniques will cover abstract and figurative forms. You will also learn to add and design around the electrode and filling tube.
We will cover advanced topics like encasements and inclusions of phosphor as well as problems and design challenges presented by this method of working. Once your glass vessel is complete and checked for leaks, we will put our pieces under vacuum and fill them with noble gasses!
Class time will alternate between demonstration, discussion, and plenty of work time. You are strongly encouraged but not required to use the evening open studio.
On the last day we will light up all of our work and have our own plasma show.
Come to class with a sketchbook and plenty of ideas. Reference photos are encouraged for students with specific ideas they’d like to pursue.
Additional Class Materials
A blow hose assembly kit is required. Students may bring their own or kits are available for purchase on-site on the first day of class for $40.
Evening Open Studio
Studios are open until 9:30PM for students to practice. Depending on the class, process, and techniques, this time might be highly suggested by instructors for students to use. In other classes, this time might be considered optional.
For more information, please review Summer Intensives.
Learn more about Angela McHale at www.roseglassart.com
Experience working with hollow borosilicate glass is required, however experience with plasma/neon is not. Students should at least be comfortable connecting hollow tubes to make a “straight seal.”
