Sonoran Glass School

Our mission is to inspire people of all ages to discover the wonder of glass art. We enrich our community by providing a supportive environment in which glass artists, students, and enthusiasts can learn, create, and share knowledge. We promote the appreciation and awareness of glass as a visual arts medium through classes, workshops, and community events.

WHO WE ARE
Sonoran Glass School, a 501(c)(3), nonprofit educational organization, is dedicated to fostering glass as an exciting and thriving visual arts medium in Tucson. Your donation supports the education and advancement of glass art and glass artists in Southern Arizona. Thank you for your support!

Our mission is to inspire people of all ages to discover the wonder of glass art. We teach students and the general public how to create and appreciate glass as a visual arts medium through educational courses, one-on-one experiences, visiting artist seminars, and community events.

BRIEF HISTORY
Founded in 2001, Sonoran Glass School began as the dream of a small group of local glass artists who helped form the Sonoran Art Foundation, Inc. The foundation found and acquired a dilapidated tire station in one of Tucson's oldest barrios.

Since then, we've grown into something truly special. Now in our 20th year, we continue to grow.

Thanks to our supporters and volunteers, we've expanded and built four studios, each dedicated to a different glass art medium, including furnace glassblowing, lampworking, kiln-fusing, and coldworking. Today, we're a full-service glass arts educational facility and the premier public-access glass arts educational center in the desert Southwest. We provide educational opportunities year-round for beginning and intermediate glass artists through classes, visiting artists, and community events. A team of gifted instructors teach glassblowing, torchworking, kiln-firing, mosaic, stained glass, and coldworking techniques through private lessons and studio classes.

PROGRAMS
Our programs are rooted in education and public awareness of our mission, and fall into three basic categories.

Youth Programs-Through our work with Tucson-area schools and youth organizations, we provide elementary-through-high-school-aged children with glass art programs and educational experiences. These experiences include demonstrations and courses in glassblowing, torchworking, and kiln-firing. We offer these experiences at a free or reduced cost thanks to donors and generous grants. As of Spring 2016, over 5,800 students have through our doors to learn about or experience the glass arts

College Programs-Through our partnerships with the University of Arizona and Pima Community College, we offer furnace glassblowing courses for college credit (ART 265) to Tucson's collegiate community.

Community Outreach- Sonoran Glass School exposes new populations to the wonder of glass art through programs, lectures, and experiences for veterans and senior citizens.

Testimonials

"This organization is multi-faceted in its vision and educational approach fusing the art and the science of glass. There are classes for people of all ages and real opportunities to grow in the arts. The staff and program are dedicated and amazing." -Evelyn R.

"In all of the courses I have taken in glass, this was by far the most positive and inspiring experience and I have had. Only hope I will visit again soon. Don't miss a chance to be part of this magic if you are in Tucson, Arizona." -Sharda M.