If glass-blowing intimidates you, the Route 1 corridor has another option for learning how to make art with glass.
The Washington Glass School in Mount Rainier teaches classes on how to make kilncast, fused and cold worked glass sculptures and art.
Kilncasting involves heating glass to a liquid state until it fills a mold. Fusing glass involves heating different types of glass until they cohere. And cold-working involves sandblasting, cutting and polishing glass at room temperature.
Classes are typically held at night and on weekends to accommodate students who have day jobs and families to take care of. A popular class for beginners to learn the basics is scheduled from 1 to 5 p.m. on a Saturday and Sunday.
Other classes include teaching students how to make colorful glass bowls, making recycled glass art and, for the fearless, MIG welding.
The school was founded in 2001 by glass artist Tim Tate, a former therapist who got into glass art when he learned he was HIV positive who has since had work featured at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Renwick Gallery and the Mint Museum, among other places.
