City of Glass: Glass Fusing 101

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5.0 | 12 reviews

55 Have Dabbled

ABOUT THIS EVENT
Event Category

Arts & DIY

Event Overview

Use Chicago or a city/place of your choice as your inspiration for your this glass fusing project! Chicago's skyline, beaches, architecture, river, flag, bridges and neighborhoods are easily translated into fused glass shapes, colors and textures. You will use a variety of colored glass pieces to create a colorful one-of-a-kind glass piece. Create a piece for display or a dish. Pre-cut pieces will be available to make your 6" x 4" or 5" x 5" piece.


Learn to safely cut and assemble glass using threads of glass, called stringers and layers of colorful flat glass to manipulate the surface of your piece. 



  • No experience necessary and great for ages 12+. 

  • Ages 12-14 must have an adult present with them for the entire class.

  • All materials are provided. Your pieces will be fired after class and ready to pick up 2/2.5 weeks after class. Shipping is available for a fee.

  • Ages 15+ Parent/Guardian must be present when student (ages 15-17) arrives to sign waiver before class.

  • Wear closed-toed shoes and bring water to drink.


Metal stand may be purchased for $12. 3D printed stand is $8. Cash, Venmo and Zelle accepted. No CC or checks please.


 

Minimum age

12 years or older

Parent or guardian required if under 18

What's Provided

All materials are provided

Cancellation Policy
Location

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MORE ABOUT YOUR HOST

Leslie is the owner of Chicago Glass Collective in Chicago, IL where she also teaches and makes her work.

After receiving her BFA from Alfred University in 1992 Leslie Speicher travelled the country finally choosing Seattle, WA as her home. During her seven years there she focused on her glasswork, teaching at Pratt Fine Arts Center and assisting and studying with local and international glass artists. During this time she was a TA and AA at Pilchuck Glass School, Instructor at Urban Glass in Brooklyn, NY and Red Deer College in Alberta, CA. Residencies include Urban Glass, Hastings College and Pratt Fine Arts Center. Leslie has shown her glasswork, sculptures and installations in Seattle, NYC, Miami, Philadelphia and Chicago. Publications include International Glass Art; Richard Yelle, author.

She then decided to return to school to get her Masters so she could teach at the college level. In 2004, she received her MFA from the University of Illinois. Her teaching career took her first to the University of Miami where she taught 3D Design. Leslie then taught at the Cleveland Institute of Art as an Adjunct in the Glass Department before moving to Chicago, IL after her solo show at the Museum of Surgical Science in 2006.

No matter what she is making her aspiration is to create pieces with unique character, which are thought provoking and visually pleasing. Leslie’s interest in exploring materials leads her to create narratives between design, texture, form and color. Every piece is one-of-a-kind, designed and handcrafted by the artist.

EXPERIENCE REVIEWS

  • Default user photo
    Sue W.
    Reviewed on 08/12/23

    The City of Glass class with Leslie was a delight! Informative, engaging, very well organized and fun!

    The City of Glass class with Leslie was a delight! Informative, engaging, very well organized and fun!

  • Default user photo
    Barb H.
    Reviewed on 08/12/23

    What.a wonderful experience. Leslie is a great teacher with ideas and inspiration! She’s patience and fun. I’m taking more classes from her.

    What.a wonderful experience. Leslie is a great teacher with ideas and inspiration! She’s patience and fun. I’m taking more classes from her.

  • Default user photo
    Christine I.
    Reviewed on 07/05/17

    I didn't think I was "arty" enough for this. But with excellent guidance, a cool science lesson and an amazingly passionate and fun teacher, it was a great experience. Looking forward to more of this.

    I didn't think I was "arty" enough for this. But with excellent guidance, a cool science lesson and an amazingly passionate and fun teacher, it was a great experience. Looking forward to more of this.

  • Default user photo
    Mo S.
    Reviewed on 05/01/17

    Leslie is an awesome teacher! I'd never done anything like this before, but wanted to try something new. I surprised my husband with this class for his birthday. He was skeptical at first (not a strong creative type like myself), but in the end, we were both really into it and asking about future classes we can take. Who knew glass could be so fascinating? I'm hooked!

    Leslie is an awesome teacher! I'd never done anything like this before, but wanted to try something new. I surprised my husband with this class for his birthday. He was skeptical at first (not a strong creative type like myself), but in the end, we were both really into it and asking about future classes we can take. Who knew glass could be so fascinating? I'm hooked!

  • Default user photo
    Emily S.
    Reviewed on 04/30/17

    We went to glass fusing class on a date and had such a wonderful time! Lesley was very welcoming, gave easy instructions and was very helpful with whatever idea we wanted to make with our piece. We had such a great time, we want to take the class again!!

    We went to glass fusing class on a date and had such a wonderful time! Lesley was very welcoming, gave easy instructions and was very helpful with whatever idea we wanted to make with our piece. We had such a great time, we want to take the class again!!

  • Default user photo
    Amy K.
    Reviewed on 03/10/17

    I really enjoyed this class. It was super easy to learn to cut glass and then all you had to do after that was arrange your cut pieces onto a larger piece. Lots of different colored glass to choose from, so everyone's skylines looked completely different. You also had the option to design whatever you wanted. You could take the class several times and come away with a completely different product each time. I highly recommend!

    I really enjoyed this class. It was super easy to learn to cut glass and then all you had to do after that was arrange your cut pieces onto a larger piece. Lots of different colored glass to choose from, so everyone's skylines looked completely different. You also had the option to design whatever you wanted. You could take the class several times and come away with a completely different product each time. I highly recommend!

  • Default user photo
    Emily C.
    Reviewed on 02/26/17

    This was my first time taking any sort of glass class, so I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but Leslie did such a wonderful job making everyone feel welcomed and explaining the different techniques we would be using. I'm looking forward to signing up for more of her classes and highly recommend them to anyone who's looking to try something new. Very fun and rewarding class!

    This was my first time taking any sort of glass class, so I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but Leslie did such a wonderful job making everyone feel welcomed and explaining the different techniques we would be using. I'm looking forward to signing up for more of her classes and highly recommend them to anyone who's looking to try something new. Very fun and rewarding class!

  • Default user photo
    Jordan R.
    Reviewed on 02/24/17

    A friend and I went to this class with no previous glass work experience. Leslie was great. She explained everything and made the class very accessible to all levels. I would definitely return and recommend this class (and the Chicago Glass Collective) to friends!

    A friend and I went to this class with no previous glass work experience. Leslie was great. She explained everything and made the class very accessible to all levels. I would definitely return and recommend this class (and the Chicago Glass Collective) to friends!

  • Default user photo
    Zachary H.
    Reviewed on 02/24/17

    This was my first time dabbling. The class was fun, informative, and a great experience. The energy was positive and the studio was delightful. I've signed up for two more classes...Because I can't wait to make more things with glass.

    This was my first time dabbling. The class was fun, informative, and a great experience. The energy was positive and the studio was delightful. I've signed up for two more classes...Because I can't wait to make more things with glass.

  • Default user photo
    Jennifer P.
    Reviewed on 09/30/16

    Fantastic class. Leslie is a great teacher and gives excellent guidance. Atmosphere is laid back and encouraging.

    Fantastic class. Leslie is a great teacher and gives excellent guidance. Atmosphere is laid back and encouraging.

  • Show more
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