Hello Lightning Tamers!
As the winter season approaches, so do the incredible learning opportunities at UrbanGlass! The 2025 schedule for week-long Neon and Plasma workshops is here, and I’m excited to share it with you as quickly as it landed in my hands.
UrbanGlass has become a hub for those looking to explore the luminous world of neon and plasma. With one of the greatest concentrations of neon and plasma classes available today, it’s the perfect place to hone your craft, spark new ideas, or take your first steps into this electrifying art form.
I had the privilege of teaching my first class at UrbanGlass this year, and I can’t recommend it enough. 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, and get ready to turn the chill of winter into a glow of inspiration at UrbanGlass.
Percy Echols II
Taming Lightning
Under Vacuum – Plasma Light Sculpture in Borosilicate with Angela McHale
Flameworking, Plasma
Date: January 7 — January 11, 2025
Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Tuition: $1,350.00
In this comprehensive workshop students will learn the fundamentals of hollow sculpting in borosilicate glass at the torch in order to design plasma lighting. We will cover shaping, texture and proper seals in order to make simple and complex sculptures. Sculpting techniques will cover abstract and figurative forms. Learn to add and design around the electrode and filling tube. We will cover advanced topics like encasements, inclusions of phosphor and jacketing 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. Students are encouraged but not required to utilize the evening open studio. On the last day we will light up all of our work and have our own private plasma show. Students should come to class with a sketchbook and plenty of ideas. Reference photos are encouraged for students with specific ideas they’d like to pursue. Experience working with hollow borosilicate glass is required.
This class is an intermediate level class for flameworkers. No experience with plasma is required but students will need prior experience working with boro in order to be successful in this class. Open to ages 14 and up.
Drawing with a Beam of Light: Illustration in Neon!
with Matt Jacob
neon, tube bending
Date: January 14th — January 18th, 2025
Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Tuition: $1,250.00
Using images from the world around us and from the many worlds within us (and within our sketchbooks), students will learn techniques to heat, bend, and blow glass tubing to create their own neon artwork! Students will turn their drawings into neon designs, learn the techniques behind both the artistry and science of handmade neon lights, and achieve a variety of different colors in their neon work.
This course is geared towards both beginner and intermediate neon benders. Our first day of class will be spent learning strong foundational neon bending skills, taking a look at neon artwork and signage being made in the world today, and learning how to translate drawings into neon designs both by hand and with digital creative software. As the week progresses, students will receive guidance and feedback for their unique illustrative projects, with demos on intermediate neon bending techniques spread throughout the week, including but not limited to: bending circles and geometric shapes, compound bends, tricky splices, managing complex patterns, and installation techniques. Plenty of work time will be spread throughout the week, especially during our last couple days together, leaving us plenty of time to learn from our mistakes and solve the glassy puzzle that is neon! All students can expect to come away with 1-3 pumped neon tubes that incorporate a variety of colors, as well as basic installation hardware and the know-how to use it.
No previous experience required. Open to ages 14 and up.
MIRRORWORLD: Imperfect Practices in Neon & Reflection
with Kacie Lees & James Akers
neon, tube bending, Mirrior-making
Date: March 25th – March 29th, 2025
Time: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Tuition: $1,250.00
In this mirror-making intensive, participants will learn the basics of coating sheets of glass with silver nitrate to make unique mirrors, then enjoy time in the flames to bend simple, freeform shapes in neon to pair with our mirrored glass. Highlighting the inherent and imperfect nature of the human hand, we will draw inspiration from Rorschach, Chryssa, and Nacarro, discuss philosophies of reflection and look at contemporary and historic works of art that combine mirrored forms with electric light.
No experience required. Open to ages 14 and up.
