All About Us

Create, experience or simply admire!
Share our passion for the art and magic of glassmaking.

The vision behind Ignite Glass Studios is connecting people back to the process of creating art and engaging in the beauty of the time-honored craft of glass blowing and the exquisite art it produces along with building a new sense of community through the interactive experience of blowing glass and glass making.

Ignite Glass Studios is a thriving glass art community in a space where artists can create and grow, novices can experiment and learn, and young people’s lives are transformed by the power of this collaborative art form. Ignite sparks the imagination and the creation of amazing works of art, creates a space for unique, memorable events, and opens opportunities for individual growth in a learning community that values difference, participation and collaboration. Providing a safe place for youth to explore, grow and draw inspiration is a fundamental element of Ignite’s vision.
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Lin Manuel Miranda visits Ignite Glass Studios for the Eduham Event!

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The vision behind Ignite Glass Studios is connecting people back to the process of creating art and engaging in the beauty of the time-honored craft of glass blowing and the exquisite art it produces along with building a new sense of community through the interactive experience of blowing glass and glass making.

Ignite Glass Studios is a thriving glass art community in a space where artists can create and grow, novices can experiment and learn, and young people’s lives are transformed by the power of this collaborative art form. Ignite sparks the imagination and the creation of amazing works of art, creates a space for unique, memorable events, and opens opportunities for individual growth in a learning community that values difference, participation and collaboration. Providing a safe place for youth to explore, grow and draw inspiration is a fundamental element of Ignite’s vision.
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We believe glass has the power to inspire and transform...
a room, a person, or a community.

 
State-of-the-art glassmaking studios, an educational environment, a gallery, gift shop, and an event venue with urban garden, as well as a rooftop deck make up the award-winning Ignite Glass Studios facility located in Chicago’s thriving West Loop.

To attract various ages and skill levels – from the beginning student to professional artist – we offer a world-class working environment in our Hot and Cold Shops and a wide range of services including individual and group experiences, private lessons, demonstrations, team-building, and professional bench rentals. To enhance our educational mission, we regularly open our doors to school groups for tours and demonstrations.

Our gallery space features rotating exhibitions featuring the work of renowned glass artists who have helped Ignite grow, the work of our gifted team of resident glass artisans, and a gallery.

Ignite transforms into a unique venue with indoor and outdoor spaces for weddings or private events including corporate receptions, non-profit fundraisers, team building, social occasions, community events and celebrations of all kinds.

Ignite Glass Studios’ commitment to strengthening community is enhanced by its partnership with Ignition Community Glass (ICG), a non-profit serving Chicago’s youth through the arts. ICG leverages the power of hands-on glass making to foster positive youth development and offer youth from Chicago’s under-resourced communities’ access to this powerful art form.
State-of-the-art glassmaking studios, an educational environment, a gallery, gift shop, and an event venue with urban garden, as well as a rooftop deck make up the award-winning Ignite Glass Studios facility located in Chicago’s thriving West Loop.

To attract various ages and skill levels – from the beginning student to professional artist – we offer a world-class working environment in our Hot and Cold Shops and a wide range of services including individual and group experiences, private lessons, demonstrations, team-building, and professional bench rentals. To enhance our educational mission, we regularly open our doors to school groups for tours and demonstrations.

Our gallery space features rotating exhibitions featuring the work of renowned glass artists who have helped Ignite grow, the work of our gifted team of resident glass artisans, and a gallery.

Ignite transforms into a unique venue with indoor and outdoor spaces for weddings or private events including corporate receptions, non-profit fundraisers, team building, social occasions, community events and celebrations of all kinds.

Ignite Glass Studios’ commitment to strengthening community is enhanced by its partnership with Ignition Community Glass (ICG), a non-profit serving Chicago’s youth through the arts. ICG leverages the power of hands-on glass making to foster positive youth development and offer youth from Chicago’s under-resourced communities’ access to this powerful art form.

Meet our artists, instructors, and staff!

Meet the Team

Studio Specs

Ignite Glass Studios comprises three studios- hot shop, cold-shop, and kiln forming studio. Each area houses state-of-the-art equipment that meets the needs of students and artists working at all levels.
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Hot Shop

Rental rates include clear glass up to 9 lbs, hand tools, blowpipes/punties, and a 15 hr. annealing cycle.

  • 740lb Day Tank – Spruce Pine Batch 87 TS
  • Dual- 80lb. Color Furnace
  • 4 – Front Loading Annealers
  • Color Oven
  • Powder Booth
  • Garage available for an additional fee
  • 15″, 18", 21", 30" Glory Hole

Longer annealing cycles are available per 12 hours additional time.

Torches are available for rental:
  • Mapp Gas, Bench Torch, & Oxy-Propane

Ignite has bentonite, resin-bonded sand, and glass ladle casting available.

*Please inquire for pricing and scheduling and read our Hot Shop Policies.
demo

Cold Shop

Rental rate is billed in 30 min. increments and includes:

  • 24″ diamond wheel flat grinder
  • Belt sander
  • Jim9000 lathe with diamond wheels
  • 20″ Wet saw
  • Ring Saw
  • 36″ Grit Wheel
  • 30″ Reciprolap
  • Polishing Lathe, 3″ x 16″–Pumice or Cerium
  • Grinding station with Foredom Tool and water-fed angle grinder and pressure pot sandblaster – 150grit abrasive – available for an additional fee.
kiln

Kilnforming & Moldmaking

  • 4 – GL24 Paragon kilns
  • 4′ x 8′ Bell Kiln
  • Top loading octagon kiln
  • Mold room available. Plaster, silica, and 50/50 mix is available for purchase.
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