From the first time man discovered the resulting magic of heat combined with the components of glass, we have been fascinated with its beauty and function. Immerse yourself in this intensive, focused study for 14 weeks. In addition to scheduled classes, additional studio time is provided allowing students to work independently. The program is a total of 665 hours.

 

Program Highlights

Explore art glass and develop a personal style in glassblowing, or pursue functional production work as you apply both theory and practical skills to your work. Particular attention will be given to the set up and safe operation of studio equipment. This 14-week program is delivered in an intensive format, designed for those with a serious interest in glassblowing. Basic design, colour theory, drawing and Canadian contemporary glass art history will provide a strong foundation for glassblowing, cold working techniques, colour applications, mould making for the glassblower and designing for production glass. Graduates will be well prepared for further, more specialized studies in glass, as well as for apprenticeship opportunities.

 

Word from the Workplace

"To me, Fleming is a home away from home. A place to explore your creative side with encouragement and direction, a place for artistic growth and a place where you always feel welcome"

Michael H. Davies, Glassblowing Certificate Graduate.

 

Why Choose Fleming?

Fleming's Haliburton School of The Arts is highly respected in artistic circles for its careful blend of theory with practicum, led by well-established and renowned artists. The Glassblowing program is built on the expertise of these specialists, who offer you a solid grounding in theory, as well as many hands-on, practical exercises to perfect your technique and skills.

 

What it Takes to Succeed

An interest in glassblowing is essential to your success in this program. Other skills, abilities, and personal qualities that would be an asset include:

• oral and written communication skills
• an open mind and interest in exploring your creativity
• willingness to learn
• manual dexterity
• ability to commit to intensive format

 

Career Opportunities

You have started a life long learning experience in the world of art with endless options in your pursuit of a career in the art field. You might continue to pursue a career by taking more advanced studies, or work as a studio artist to further develop your talents. Graduates will have the skills to seek apprenticeships in glass studios, or be qualified to rent studio time in public studios.

 

Minimum Admission Requirements

OSSD with the majority of credits at the College (C) and Open (O) level, including:

• 2 College (C) English courses (Grade 11 or Grade 12) 

When (C) is the minimum course level for admission, (U) or (U/C) courses are also accepted.

Mature Students
If you are 19 years of age or older before classes start, and you do not possess an OSSD, you can write the Canadian Adult Achievement Test to assess your eligibility for admission.

 

Selection Process

 

Related Programs

The Fleming Visual and Creative Arts Diploma is a natural continuing education possibility, as you will have completed 14 of the 28 credits required for this diploma. You may want to consider one of our other art certificate programs.

Graduates of the Glassblowing certificate will be considered for entrance into the Sheridan College Crafts and Design advanced diploma program. Successful applicants will enter directly into the second year of the program. All applicants will be required to present a portfolio as part of the admission process.

 

Diploma Requirements

This certificate comprises 14 credits, which equals more than one half of the 27 credits required to complete the Visual and Creative Arts Diploma. Each credit consists of 32.5 hours of in-class instruction and 15 hours of independent work.

 

Additional Costs

Materials fees of $3,200.00 and are included in the tuition fees.

Course	Hours
Semester 1
Art History XIV: Glass	47.50
Cold Working Techniques	47.50
Colour Applications for Glass	47.50
Design - Glassblowing	47.50
Designing for Production Glass	95.00
Drawing - Glassblowing	47.50
Flameworking for Glassblowers	47.50
Intermediate Glassblowing	142.50
Introduction to Glassblowing	47.50
Marketing/Portfolio Development	47.50
Mould Making for the Glassblower	47.50

Semester 1

Art History XIV: Glass

Course Number: ARTS109

This course explores the ways in which the technical advancements and aesthetic explorations in glass art, past and present, are linked to, and parallel, societal, ecological and economic change. Through lectures and slide presentations, students will investigate historical techniques, forms, and cultural influences and apply them in studio projects. The origins of glass from the Eastern Mediterranean region over 2,000 years ago, to its current position in the 21st Century will be examined. There will be a particular focus on the Contemporary Studio Glass Movement and its development in North America during the second half of the 20th Century. Key methods, technologies, and approaches to design from other regions and eras, will also be introduced in studio projects as part of an exploration of technique and style. Students will be required to use a range of on-line and library resources in their research and explore, assimilate or adapt from historical techniques, forms and cultural influences in the evolution of their own personal style.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50

Cold Working Techniques

Course Number: ARTS539

This course will cover both the technical and expressive natures of the tools, processes and machinery used in the cold working studio. An introduction to the reductive sculpting and surface design of glass, students will further process the objects they make in the hot studio using both hand-grinding tools and power tools. Cold working processes used will include professional level grinding and polishing; attaching pieces of glass-to-glass and other materials; altering the shape and texture of glass; and creating surface design, texture and patterning. Drawing and design will be integrated into the studio work assignments. The development of technique, personal style, and expression will be facilitated by individual and group critiques

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50

Colour Applications for Glass

Course Number: ARTS540

Colour Applications builds on the skills and techniques explored in Introductory and Intermediate Glassblowing. In this course, students will learn to manipulate colour and decoration on the interior and exterior surfaces of blown objects, along with blending and mixing within layers of solid glass. The techniques explored will promote understanding of the physical, optical, and chemical properties of coloured glass as well as facilitate the development of personal style and expression. Fundamental principles of colour theory and design will be integrated through projects including use of drawing books, journals, critique, and studio work.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50

Design - Glassblowing

Course Number: ARTS992

This focused course will provide the glassblowing student with effective design skills at a basic level. They will explore the specific elements of form, line, texture, symmetry, balance, and proportion and their relation to the size, location and/or function of glass pieces. Through research and presentation, students will expand their awareness of the use of design theory in the work of various glass artists from specific eras and movements. These artists will be discussed in the context of styles and available technology, and in relation to the students' personal interests.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50

Designing for Production Glass

Course Number: ARTS541

This course will combine hot glassblowing techniques with designing for purpose and personal expression. Through a series of technical exercises, students will develop the skills to make consistently, the three basic shapes that are the building blocks for all glass forms; the sphere, cylinder and cone. Based on student proficiency, each will design and execute a production item, (e.g. drinking glass, plate, flower vase, paperweight), that incorporates both function and aesthetic principles. Colour and surface decoration will be further explored in the development of personal style. Group and individual critiques will be used to facilitate development of technique, personal style and expression. Students will work individually as well as in teams, as this is an important element in making a production item quickly and efficiently.

Units: 95.00
Hours: 95.00

Drawing - Glassblowing

Course Number: ARTS993

This course will engage the student in basic drawing processes as they relate to the art of glass design and description. Focusing on line, proportion, light, texture, colour and surface, students will produce sketches, working drawings and presentation renderings. Simple yet powerful processes for both representational drawing skills and concept drawings will be explored. Observational drawings from a variety of natural and man made objects and patterns can be a rich source for style and form in glass design and embellishment. Basic colouring techniques using various materials will be examined. The use of drawing in creative design processes, as well as the exploration of style in a series of glass works, are important elements of the course. Students will use journals to gather research material and concepts.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50

Flameworking for Glassblowers

Course Number: ARTS109

Flameworking is a method of shaping glass through the use of a torch. Glass is heated to a molten state and is then sculpted, blown and manipulated, creating highly detailed and colourful glass objects. This course will provide a fundamental understanding of glass through the processes of flameworking. Beginning with the safe and competent operation of equipment, students will quickly progress to methods of shaping and constructing using a variety of tools and techniques. Working with a range of glasses students will gain a solid foundation in flameworking practice that will allow for progression beyond the basics. Through lectures, demonstrations and hands-on practice, instruction will cover introductory methods of shaping and manipulating molten glass to advanced constructions, including blowing glass and the use of moulds. Students are encouraged to bring an open mind and ideas for development in studio projects.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50

Intermediate Glassblowing

Course Number: ARTS109

This course builds on the techniques learned in Introduction to Glassblowing. Students will explore the application of hot glass bits for manipulation into handles, trails, three dimensional decoration, feet and stems. They will also be introduced to more complex forms such as bowls, plates, vases, footed vessels, and sculptural forms. Through assignments, exploration and practice time, students will expand their repertoire of glass forms so that consistency, intention, design principles and personal expression are evident. Development of technique, personal style and expression will be facilitated through group and individual critiques. To create more complex forms the students will learn to work as part of a team in the glass studio. They will design and problem solve in teams and individually. Students will work with the different types of coloured glass available, exploring their various applications on the inside and outside of the hot glass forms. Frits, powders and solid bar will be used to achieve single and layered colour effects. Students will incorporate the transparent, translucent and opaque properties of coloured glass in the designing of their glass forms. The fundamentals of design, drawing and colour will be integrated into studio work as they apply to the making of glass vessels or sculpture. Finishing, grinding, texturing and decorating will be also be examined.

Units: 142.50
Hours: 142.50

Introduction to Glassblowing

Course Number: ARTS543

This class is an introduction to the fundamental techniques of glassblowing. Students will learn to gather, shape and blow hot glass. Through technical exercises, assignments, practice and exploration students will learn to form the glass by using heat, gravity, centrifugal force and tools to consistently repeat a series of specific forms. Examples could be as functional as a paperweight or drinking glass and as non functional as blown or solid worked sculpture. Students will also be introduced to the proper use of the equipment and safety procedures in the hot and cold glass studios.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50

Marketing/Portfolio Development

Course Number: MKTG053

This course is about doing in the world of art, craft and design. Practicing artists can choose from many different paths to advance their personal and artistic goals. This course examines the ways in which artists can assess choices in further education, financing and operating their own studio, presenting themselves, and promoting and marketing their work. Students will analyze the various aspects of developing a portfolio, photographing and editing quality images for promotion and documentation, and writing an artist¿s statement, cv, cover letters, and promotional materials. They will research and evaluate the services of trade/support organizations, marketing venues, the process for grant applications, artists residencies and internships. Resources for learning the issues in successfully operating a studio, along with the business practices and legal implications of these operations will also be investigated. Students will summarize their personal goals to establish their own specific set of options for continuing their artist's practices. In class sessions will involve research, writing, presentation, and critical discussion.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50

Mould Making for the Glassblower

Course Number: ARTS544

This course explores the wide range of possibilities that blowing and forming with moulds can contribute to the repertoires of both the beginner and advanced glass blower. Mould blowing, using moulds made from plaster, sand, wood, metal or graphite, enables the student to repeatedly execute complex and asymmetrical forms. Students will explore the different results that can be achieved with these five mould making materials. Work with optic moulds as well as moulds made by the students themselves will inform them about the potential of this technique for both production and personal expression. This course is primarily experimental and exploratory and assignments will emphasise concept development. Development of technique, personal style and expression will be facilitated by individual and group critiques. Drawing and design will be integrated into the studio work.

Units: 47.50
Hours: 47.50