Glass Arts
Introduction to the Vitrigraph Kiln
Gravity groove! Make your own stringer and learn an entirely new vocabulary for fused glass.
Meeting Times
- Thur, 2/22/2024 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
- Fri, 2/23/2024 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Thur, 2/22/2024 - Fri, 2/23/2024
Closed
About
Fused glass has typically included a "cut-and-fit" approach to design, with the artist cutting glass shapes, fitting them precisely together and then firing them at a high temperature. Vitrigraph is a specialty hot glass technique that entails pulling hot glass through a small hole in the floor of the raised kiln. Using gravity and heat, the glass becomes a viscous "liquid" slowly flowing out of the kiln's hole. Once it starts to flow, it is then pulled at with tweezers and twisted with various other tools creating fluid and flowing stringer shapes.
The vitrigraph stringer allows a more graphic and improvised approach to your design. The pulled stringer will be annealed at the end of the first session.
In the next session, using the various shapes, thicknesses and lengths pulled the day before, you'll create a free-form design on a 10" x 10" sheet of white glass. Once finished, the 10" x 10" pieces will be loaded into a kiln and fuse fired. Learn how the vitrigraph kiln works and best practices for getting the desired results. Black glass will be heated and pulled into shapes to create, essentially, a line drawing on a glass canvas.
Day One: Two kilns will be firing to allow all students to pull hot glass into shapes that will then be annealed overnight.
Day Two: You'll create a design using the created black stringer, placing it on white glass.
Details
- Your work will be slumped to shape according to your preference following the second day and be available for pickup within the week.
- Experience level: Past experience with glass is not required, but highly suggested.
Project
You will make a 10" x 10" platter with a unique design you've created.
Materials
Class Policies
- Ages 18 and up are welcome.
- Closed-toe shoes and long pants are required in the Glass Studio at all times.
- As with all torchwork, wear cotton pants and long-sleeved cotton shirts. Avoid wearing synthetic materials/fabrics as these are more likely to catch fire.
- Long hair should be tied back.
BARN Policies
- View BARN's Cancellation and Refund Policy
- View BARN's current COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
- BARN is committed to accessibility. Tuition Assistance is available. Fill out the application before registering.
- Makerspaces like BARN can be noisy and cluttered, smell strongly, and have bright or flickering lights. We try to make accommodations when requested; the earlier you contact us, the more likely we can help. Please email accessibility@bainbridgebarn.org to find out more or request an accommodation.
- For those who might need physical assistance, learn more about BARN's Companion Program.
Instructors or Guides
Diane Bonciolini
