Foci - Minnesota Center for Glass Arts

Foci - Minnesota Center for Glass Arts Foci MCGA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization glass studio, education center and exhibition space.
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Mission: Gather people to explore the creative potential of glass. Vision: A diverse community of dedicated makers, enthusiasts, seekers, and newcomers who feel welcomed and engaged at our center. Established in 2009, Foci MCGA (Minnesota Center for Glass Arts) proudly represents a vibrant arts community as Minnesota’s only public access studio and education center. Our 501(c)(3) non-profit organi

zation is located in the Seward neighborhood of South Minneapolis and offers a full glass studio curriculum taught by artists locally and nationally recognized, as well as programming for youth, corporate group experiences, events, and exhibitions. Our goal is to be a safe space for all to feel welcome and engaged, creating experiences that motivate curiosity, build excitement, and advance mastery.

Join Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts as our next Executive Director!We're seeking an inspiring and collaborative le...
06/10/2026

Join Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts as our next Executive Director!
We're seeking an inspiring and collaborative leader to guide our mission of promoting, preserving, and advancing glass art in Minnesota. This role provides the opportunity to shape the organization's future through strategic leadership, community engagement, fundraising, and operational oversight while working closely with our Board, staff, artists, and supporters.

If you're passionate about the arts and excited to make a meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply. You can find more information about the position here: https://www.mnglassart.org/job-opportunities

Explore the world of Kilnforming + Stained Glass this summer at Foci MCGA! Whether you’re interested in colorful stained...
06/06/2026

Explore the world of Kilnforming + Stained Glass this summer at Foci MCGA!

Whether you’re interested in colorful stained glass design or sculptural kilnformed work, our Summer Core Classes are a great way to build skills and create something incredible by hand.

Intro to Stained Glass
Learn the foundational techniques of cutting, foiling, soldering, and assembling your own stained glass artwork.

Stained Glass: Box Making
Take your stained glass skills into three dimensions while creating functional glass boxes with clean construction and colorful design.

Intro to Kilnforming
Discover the fundamentals of working with glass in the kiln through fusing, shaping, and surface exploration.

Lost Wax Casting
Explore the exciting process of transforming wax models into cast glass sculptures using traditional lost wax techniques.

Perfect for beginners, returning students, and anyone looking to spend their summer making art in the studio. Come get creative with us!

Ready to level up your summer in the hot shop?Our Summer Glassblowing Core Classes are the perfect way to build skills, ...
06/04/2026

Ready to level up your summer in the hot shop?

Our Summer Glassblowing Core Classes are the perfect way to build skills, strengthen technique, and spend your summer making molten magic. Whether you’re brand new to glass or ready to push your fundamentals further, we’ve got a class for you!

Intro to Glassblowing
Learn the foundations of working with hot glass including gathering, shaping, teamwork, and basic forms.

Refining Fundamentals
Continue developing consistency, control, and confidence while strengthening core glassblowing techniques.

Glassblowing Tech Session: Solid Sculpting
Dive into sculptural approaches to hot glass and explore how solid forms can be shaped, manipulated, and brought to life in the studio.

Hands-on instruction
Supportive learning environment
Perfect for beginners + returning students

Spend your summer by the glory hole and discover what’s possible with glass!

Summer is the perfect time to try something new in the studio!Join us at Foci MCGA for our Glass Discovery experiences a...
06/02/2026

Summer is the perfect time to try something new in the studio!

Join us at Foci MCGA for our Glass Discovery experiences and create your own handmade glass art with the guidance of our teaching artists. Whether you’re looking for a quick creative outing, date night idea, or a chance to finally try glassmaking, we’ve got something for everyone this summer!

Flameworking Studio
• Mini Mushrooms
• Glass Straws

Glassblowing Studio
• Tumblers
• Jellyfish Paperweights

Kilnforming Studio
• Fused Suncatchers

No experience required — just bring your creativity and we’ll handle the fire! Spots fill quickly throughout the summer, so grab your seat and come make something unforgettable.

REGISTRATION CLOSES JUNE 28, 2026Don’t miss your chance to join our 2026 Summer Local Artist Workshop with Donna Rice! T...
05/31/2026

REGISTRATION CLOSES JUNE 28, 2026

Don’t miss your chance to join our 2026 Summer Local Artist Workshop with Donna Rice!

This immersive 5-week kilnforming workshop runs Sundays from July 12 – August 9, 2026 and is designed for artists interested in developing stronger glass casting skills through wax modeling, mold making, and finishing techniques.

Students will explore the foundations of successful lost-wax glass casting while creating one or two small sculptural works using Gaffer crystal, wax, and plaster — all materials included! Demonstrations throughout the workshop will support every skill level, from beginners to experienced makers looking to refine their process.

Sundays, July 12 – August 9, 2026
10am–5pm
Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts
$860/person
Member discounts available
Ages 14+
No prior experience required
Open Faced Casting or Lost Wax Casting experience encouraged

With five full sessions to develop your ideas and technique, this is an incredible opportunity to grow your casting practice in a supportive studio environment.

Registration officially closes June 28, 2026 — secure your spot before enrollment ends!"

Foci MCGA will be closed next week, June 1st through the 6thWe will return to our normal business hours on June 7th
05/30/2026

Foci MCGA will be closed next week, June 1st through the 6th

We will return to our normal business hours on June 7th

Join us this October for an incredible 5-day Visiting Artist Workshop with acclaimed borosilicate sculptor Kimberly Thom...
05/29/2026

Join us this October for an incredible 5-day Visiting Artist Workshop with acclaimed borosilicate sculptor Kimberly Thomas! 🔥✨

From October 7–11, 2026, students will explore the sculptural possibilities of borosilicate glass through hands-on demonstrations, technical skill building, and storytelling-driven sculpture work. Participants will develop foundational and advanced flameworking techniques while discovering how to create narrative and personal voice through form and detail.

This workshop is open to ages 14+ with no prior experience required, making it a perfect opportunity for beginners and experienced makers alike.

📍 Co-hosted by Foci MCGA + Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center
📅 October 7–11, 2026
💲 $750/person
🛠 All materials included
🎟 Member discounts + payment plans available

Workshop locations:
• Oct 7–8 at Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center
• Oct 9–11 at Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts

Spaces are limited — don’t miss this opportunity to learn from Kimberly Thomas and expand your creative practice in glass! 🔥

Our technicians Isaac and Mitchell, with the help of community members Kurt and Tom, have been hard at work this week gi...
05/28/2026

Our technicians Isaac and Mitchell, with the help of community members Kurt and Tom, have been hard at work this week giving a new coat to our soon-to-be mobile hotshop! Thanks, guys, and thank you to all in the community who have helped contribute to building back our mobile!

Big thank you to Redesign inc. , for allowing us to use the nearby Verna space to accomplish this fabrication!

more updates to come...

Explore Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Art’s newest glass exhibit, 'Kilnforming in the Upper Midwest' at Foci Minnesota...
05/28/2026

Explore Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Art’s newest glass exhibit, 'Kilnforming in the Upper Midwest' at Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts THIS Saturday May 30th, 2026 from 1:00pm-3:00pm!

Selected artists include Abegael Uffelman, Elizabeth Coleman, Gretchen Askew, John S. Hallett, Kagen Dunn, Kristin Thielking, Lucie Cherel & Oliver Ge**er, The Milligan Studio, Mitchell Kile, Patricia Punykova, Randi Shandroski, and Skye Xollo

Learn more at: www.mnglassart.org/upcomingevents/kilnforming2026

Foci MCGA will be closed Sunday, May 24th- Tuesday, May 26th, for the Memorial Day HolidayWe will return to our typicall...
05/23/2026

Foci MCGA will be closed Sunday, May 24th- Tuesday, May 26th, for the Memorial Day Holiday

We will return to our typically buisness hours on Wednesday, May 27th

Address

2213 Snelling Avenue
Minneapolis, MN
55404

Opening Hours

Tuesday 11am - 6pm
Wednesday 11am - 6pm
Thursday 11am - 6pm
Friday 11am - 6pm
Saturday 11am - 6pm
Sunday 11am - 6pm

Telephone

+16127598476

Website

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