About Hot Shop Glass

The Story of HOT SHOP GLASS
Liz Gabriel, Amanda Cosgrove Paffrath and Doug Chaussee have been intrigued by the art of working with hot glass for years. With diverse backgrounds -a social worker, small business owner and retired police detective - we were all introduced to glass blowing through The Prairie School and dreamed of one day having our own studio in which to create our art and share our love of glass. The time was right in early 2005 when we met to brainstorm an idea, only weeks later finding ourselves the owners of a dilapidated 1880's former stable in downtown Racine - with a little vision, our dreams were becoming reality! Now restored, this jewel is home to HOT SHOP GLASS, a state of the art glass blowing studio and gallery!

HOT SHOP GLASS strives to promote individual exploration and creative expression in hot glass through teaching in a supportive, respectful and safe learning environment which encourages skill development and teamwork.

As glass artists and instructors, we have had the pleasure of learning from many top glass artists from around the country including Jeremy Popelka, Scott Kelley and Stephanie Trenchard (Popelka Trenchard Glass), Ed Schmid (Glass Mountain Studios), Jerry Catania (Ox-Bow & Water Street Glassworks) Steve Feren (UW Madison), and locally renowned artist and instructor David Drewek. We look forward to sharing what we have learned from them with you!

The Racine community has an interesting history of commitment to glass as an artistic medium from the early days of the art glass movement to today. In 1969, The Prairie School, a private K-12 day school, created a hot glass shop as part of its art department under the direction of Kent Ipsen and David Drewek. Today the school maintains the popular glass art program for students from 7th grade through high school. Racine is home to the nationally renowned Racine Art Museum (www.ramart.org) with an impressive collection of glass in its permanent collection. 'The Johnson Family Chandelier' by Dale Chihuly hangs prominently in the center of the downtown headquarters of Johnson Financial. The Yellow Rose, a popular downtown eatery, is bedecked with beautiful blown glass fixtures and sculpture. Over 12 art galleries call downtown Racine home, many with the work of prominent regional glass artists' work. Hot Shop Glass opened as a public access studio to build on this community tradition and appreciation of hot glass!

Based on an evaluation of an individual's knowledge and proper use of equipment through successful completion of HOT SHOP GLASS classes or prior experience in a similar environment as determined by staff, individuals may rent studio time to work independently.

The studio operates two glass blowing benches, 14" and 21" glory holes, frontloading annealer and state of the art 300lb electric moly furnace. Studio uses Spruce Pine batch 87 and has a selection of Gaffer, Kugler and Reichenbach color in rod and frit for purchase. Studio rental includes use of clear glass, one bench and glory,annealer space, steinert pipes and punties, cherry blocks and Jim Moore tools. Renters making large work or using excessive amounts of clear glass many be charged an additional fee for glass and annealing space or time.

Private Classes, Rentals and Demonstrations are also available by appointment. Cost is $65 per hour for one instructor and one bench.

Experienced glass blowers may rent studio time with Hot Shop Glass staff approval. Cost is $45 per hour.

Call HOT SHOP GLASS for reservations (262-833-0095).

Click here to view our studio.

Registration Information:
All fees for classes and rentals must be paid in advance! Fees are refundable only if we fill your space with a student on the waiting list. All students must sign a waiver of liability, comply with all studio policy and procedures and be over age 14 unless with the approval of their parent/guardian and Hot Shop Glass staff. Parent or guardian must sign a release for those 14-17 years old. Please click here to download our safety and release form.

Gift Certificates are available! See why we are the hottest place downtown! Shop our gallery or pick up gift certificates for classes!