Learn the art of lost wax glass casting from an accomplished artist, and make your own glass figures.
Day One - Choose from any number of pre-poured wax models to turn three cast glass replicas into pendants or bolo ties using the lost wax process. The first session will demonstrate silicone replica molds, how they are made and used to create highly detailed wax models and the process to do so. You will learn how collaging and combining waxes can be used to create interesting compositions. Instructor Jason Chakravarty will make this a dream by preparing the wax models before and after class, streamlining the time-consuming elements.
Day Two - The next week you will pack the empty molds of your choosing with glass to be fired in the kiln.
Day Three - The final meeting will instruct you on divesting the mold from the glass, how to best clean the glass casting and prepare it to be mounted to a pendant or bolo hardware.
This class is part of our Visiting Glass Artist Series for June. You can also register for Jason's enamel classes scheduled for June 1, June 8 and June 15.
Ages 14 and up are welcome.
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.
For those who might need physical assistance, learn more about our Companion Program.
Jason Chakravarty began incorporating glass through the use of neon into his sculpture in 1998 at Arizona State University. He was employed for four years at a commercial neon sign shop where he learned technical fundamentals of the neon process.
In 2002, he began illuminating hot shop forms and kiln casting glass while attending graduate school at California State University Fullerton. He has taken workshops nationwide including at Pilchuck, Pittsburgh Glass Center, Penland School of Crafts, and University of California San Diego. He has taught neon and kiln casting workshops worldwide. His work has been shown in more than 100 exhibitions. Currently his work is represented at Adam Blaue, Corning, Duncan McClellan Gallery, Habatat Galleries, Hive Contemporary, Kuivato Gallery, Penland Gallery, Piece and Vetri Gallery. He is a full-time artist and splits his studio time between Arizona and Washington.
Get to know the Glass Studio and be able to use it independently, including during open studio hours.
This free orientation serves as a prerequisite for open studio and covers studio etiquette, safety procedures, BARN and Glass Studio policies, and the studio's tools and equipment.
Note, this orientation is not required in order to register for general Glass Studio classes.
Grae Drake has worked with glass for only a couple of years, but is deeply in love with it. There isn't much that beats the zen of standing over a warm torch wrangling red-hot molten glass into shape. In previous lives, he's been a tech entrepreneur, corporate lawyer, juvenile delinquent, and, since May 2022, BARN's executive director.
Visiting artist Jason Chakravarty will teach you the fundamentals of line drawing on glass, which you'll fire and frame.
Black enamel and primary colors will be available to get you started with float glass. This can be taken as a one-day workshop or you can sign up for consecutive week(s). The first class will get you started drawing with enamels. Consider the additional days as a guided studio for independent projects to be determined through collaboration with Jason.
This class is part of our Visiting Glass Artist Series for June. You can register for Jason's other class here.
Learn how to use recycled glass materials to create unforgettable fused-glass art.
A used shower door that was headed for the landfill will be used to create two minimalist items - a trivet and an eight-inch bowl or plate.
Learn how to safely shatter the glass and turn the pieces into a functional form. A discussion about other ways to use glass destined for the landfill in fused glass art is part of this class, too.
Great for beginners interested in exploring the medium of glass.
Wear close-toed shoes and long pants in the Glass Studio at all times.
Learn to create a stained-glass window in this class for beginners and those looking to refresh their skills.
A stained-glass window measuring about 20 inches by 20 inches.
A $78 materials fee included in the class price covers glass, drafting paper, pattern film, zinc and lead, and miscellaneous other supplies. Students are encouraged to use glass from the glass studio. However, you can buy or bring your own.
None
Gregg Mesmer was recognized as an Island Treasure in 2015. He and his wife, Diane Bonciolini, both of Mesolini Glass Studio, moved to Bainbridge Island in 1977 and started their iconic glass studio. They have been working in the art glass industry professionally for decades. Their expertise, however, goes beyond glass cutting to include other types of fabrication, all aspects of creating stained glass art, copper foil, glass fusing, public art, and teaching.
Over the years they have worked on many community Art in Public Places projects such as the Bainbridge Beach Glass Quilt, the Waypoint beach glass project, Rotary Centennial Park, as well as others. Many of their projects include school-age students on Bainbridge and beyond. Gregg has taught for Northwest Art Glass, the Bainbridge Park & Recreation District, and Olympic College.
Days 1 and 2: Dinner Set
Day 3: Torches
Day 4:
You may register your youth for an optional supervised lunch hour from 12-1 pm for the duration of this class.
Constance Ducar is enthusiastic about working with beginning students and encouraging a love for glass. She sometimes incorporates fiber or wood as display options with her glass pieces.
Julie Dougherty
Make your own garden art with mosaics.
In this class, students will create a beautiful design of their choosing - our examples are a paw print or a heart - that could serve as a memory stone for a beloved pet or family member. Students are welcome to bring a small piece of jewelry or beads with sentimental value to incorporate into their design.
Mosaic garden art.
All needed materials will be provided.
Barbara Henderson is a mosaicist with a passion for helping others express themselves through the art of mosaics. She discovered art a little later in life than lots of other people, having been distracted by corporate life, ladder climbing, and the nonsense idea that she wasn’t creative. Now her favorite thing is to watch a student realize their unique ability to produce something personal and meaningful, and to develop their own artistic vision. Her favorite saying is that “perfection can be purchased at the dollar store. Art and beauty are found in the unique and flawed.” She serves on a variety of boards and committees and lives in Gig Harbor with her husband and far too many dogs and chickens.
Projects can range from a 10-square design with clear glass for beginners and then progress to more intricate patterns using a range of colored glass. Experienced students can suggest their own project design.
After completing a 10-square pyramid with copper foil, students will advance to create a heart or star in stained glass and finish the week with a small panel to hang in a window or on a stand.
Students with previous glass cutting and stained glass experience may choose a more complicated pattern with the instructor’s approval. The instructor’s focus is on your completion of a nice-looking project rather than the project's complexity.
Create striking floral images using frit powders of various colors and dried foliage.
In the first three-hour session, you will come to understand the necessary safety and cleanup practices when it comes to using glass powders. Then, with step-by-step instruction, you will practice the process of layering frit to colorize the dried foliage you have chosen to decorate your dishware.
Frit combined with foliage creates delicate organic images that will complement your food presentation or anything you might imagine.
You will make one 9”x9” square swoop serving piece, one 3"x9" channel plate, and three 3”x3” condiment dishes.
Instructions will be sent to each student on how to dry and store your foliage before class.
Diane Bonciolini is the "olini" of Mesolini Glass Studio. Glass is her passion. As a full-time glass artist who has lived and worked on Bainbridge Island since 1977, she grows and changes with every project. She describes glass as having a life of its own. This multifaceted medium shows itself in each of her creations: stained glass, slumped and fused glass, lamp work, or glass combined with concrete.
Projects start with simple 5-piece heart to learn cutting skills and techniques. All projects are soldered together and finished with hangars. Then on to a pattern of your choice which students select from a range of colored and textured glasses. Experienced students can suggest their own project design.
Learn the techniques and tools to the art of glass cutting, along with a few simple tricks for success.
Glass cutting can be fascinating, exciting, and empowering. But when you're not successful, it can stop you in your tracks and be very expensive.You can master this art with a few simple tricks and some patience. Instructor Gregg Mesmer focuses on basic techniques, circle cutting, curves, strip cutting, and more while allowing plenty of time for practice and personal attention. After demonstrations, conversation, and practice, you will have a better understanding of techniques and tools that make cutting glass a breeze.
Gregg Mesmer was recognized as an Island Treasure in 2015 with his wife, Diane Bonciolini, both of Mesolini Glass Studio. They moved to Bainbridge Island in 1977, started their iconic studio, and have been working in the art glass industry for decades. Their expertise goes beyond glass cutting to include other types of fabrication, all aspects of creating stained glass art, copper foil, glass fusing, public art, and teaching.
Over the years they have worked on many community art projects such as the Bainbridge Beach Glass Quilt, the Waypoint beach glass project, and Rotary Centennial Park. Gregg has taught for Northwest Art Glass, the Bainbridge Park District, and Olympic College.
Learn the techniques and tools to the fascinating art of glass cutting - along with a few simple tricks.
The art of glass cutting is fascinating, exciting, and empowering when you're successful. When you're not, it can stop you in your tracks and be very expensive. You can master this art with a few simple tricks, and some patience.
Instructor Gregg Mesmer of Mesolini Glass Studio focuses on basic techniques, circle cutting, curves, strip cutting, and more while allowing plenty of time for practice and personal attention. After demonstrations, conversation, and practice, you will have a better understanding of techniques and tools that make cutting glass a breeze.
Gregg Mesmer was recognized as an Island Treasure in 2015 as was his wife, Diane Bonciolini. They moved to Bainbridge in 1977 and started their iconic glass studio and have been working in the art glass industry professionally for decades. Their expertise, however, goes beyond glass cutting to include other types of fabrication, all aspects of creating stained glass art, copper foil, glass fusing, public art, and teaching.
They have worked on many community art projects such as the Bainbridge Beach Glass Quilt, the Waypoint beach glass project and Rotary Centennial Park. Gregg has taught for Northwest Art Glass, the Bainbridge Park & Recreation District, and Olympic College.
