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Copper foil and leaded stained glass, lampworking and borosilicate torchworking.

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Click on the class name to see all meeting dates, times, and fees. 

Current & Upcoming classes

  • Stained Glass Project Shop: Geometric Suncatcher

    • Fri, May 15, 2026
    • 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    Welcome to a crash course in stained glass! This is a beginner-level stained glass class, no prior experience necessary. We will learn all of the techniques required to make a geometric suncatcher that you will get to take home with you at the end of class. All of the supplies and tools will be provided.

    In this workshop, you'll learn how to use the tools and techniques necessary for cutting glass. Next, we'll choose from a selection of patterns and cut the glass pieces for your project. (There will be lots of colors and textures to choose from!) Once we've cut all our pieces we'll apply the copper foil to the glass pieces in preparation for assembly. Then we'll heat up our soldering irons and assemble our suncatchers! After soldering, you will apply patina to the solder seams for your desired metal finish. We will wrap up the class by polishing our suncatchers. At this point your new stained glass suncatcher will be ready to go home with you!

    $85 ($70 tuition + $15 materials)
    Open to ages 16 and up.

    Instructor: Annemarie Hines


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  • Lampworking Project Shop: Glass Bead Plant Stake

    • Sat, May 16, 2026
    • 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    Start your journey into lampworking techniques in this workshop that introduces the process of making basic beads in Italian soft glass. We'll cover how to safely use the torch and tools as you experiment creating beads in different sizes and shapes. You'll assemble your finished beads onto a mandrel, making a one-of-kind plant or garden stake. Practicing basic beads provides the foundation for making more complex forms as your skill set grows! No prerequisite is needed for this class.

    $70 ($55 tuition + $15 materials)
    Open to ages 16 and up.

    Instructor: Kathy Schultz

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  • Leaded Stained Glass Project Shop: Beveled Mini-Window

    • Tue, May 19, 2026
    • Tue, May 26, 2026
    • 2 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 7
    Register

    Dip your toes into the world of lead lighting in this beginner-level class. You'll learn and practice leaded stained glass techniques in the process of making a small pieces using pre-cut beveled glass. We'll start by discussing safety when working with lead and then proceed through the steps to assemble your beveled glass into a mini-window. You can expect to make up to three pieces of about five square inches. No experience necessary.

    $110 ($90 tuition + $20 materials)
    Open to ages 18 and up.

    Instructor: Evalin Becker

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  • Lampworking Skill Session: Hollow Beads

    • Wed, May 20, 2026
    • Wed, May 27, 2026
    • 2 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 4
    Register

    This session will focus mainly on the basics of creating a hollow bead. We will begin creating hollows on a solid mandrel and move to the puffy mandrel, creating larger lighter hollow beads. Hollow beads provide a wonderful canvas for decoration, minus the weight. Students must have experience using a dual gas system torch with soft glass. Class fee includes 4 puffy mandrels to take home! Wear natural fiber clothing and closed-toe shoes. 

    $140 ($90 tuition + $50 materials)

    Instructor: Mary Ila Duntemann 

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  • Stained Glass: Copper Foil Fundamentals

    • Thu, May 21, 2026
    • Thu, June 25, 2026
    • 6 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 5
    Register

    Learn the basics of stained glass and add some color and sparkle to your life! This class will introduce the basics of stained glass using the copper foil technique, which involves wrapping each glass piece in copper tape and then soldering the pieces together to form the whole. You'll learn and practice all the steps in the process of creating stained glass pieces, including using patterns, cutting and grinding glass, foiling, and soldering. We'll start with 2D pieces and you'll have the opportunity to explore 3D forms. As we progress, you're encouraged to bring your own ideas and the instructor will assist in translating them into stained glass.

    $320 ($270 tuition + $50 materials)  |  6 weeks
    Open to ages 16 and up.

    Instructor: Samael Leopold-Sullivan 


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  • Open Torch Time: Soft Glass

    • Fri, May 29, 2026
    • 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 4
    Register

    Open Torch Time is available to people who have taken (or are currently taking) a lampworking class at CAFAC.

    Keep your chops up with regular Torch Time and share studio time with your fellow artisans! You supply the consumables (glass, mandrels, and bead release) and CAFAC will supply the torches and tools. We have space for up to seven lampworkers, so sign up today to reserve your spot at the torch!

    $45

    Instructor: Mary Ila Duntemann 

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  • Open Torch Time: Borosilicate Glass

    • Sat, May 30, 2026
    • 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 6
    Register

    Open Torch Time is available to people who have taken (or are currently taking) a borosilicate glass class at CAFAC.

    Keep your chops up with regular Torch Time and share studio time with your fellow artisans! You supply the glass and CAFAC will supply the torches and tools. We have space for up to six flameworkers, so sign up today to reserve your spot at the torch!

    $45

    Instructor: Ashley Austin

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  • Open Stained Glass Studio

    • Sun, May 31, 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 7
    Register

    Open Stained Glass Studio is available to people who have taken (or are currently taking) a stained glass class at CAFAC.

    This is your opportunity to get into the studio to work on projects or keep practicing your skills. You'll work independently with an instructor on hand if you have questions. You supply the consumables (glass, lead-free solder, foil, flux, and patina) and CAFAC will supply the tools and equipment. 

    $45

    Instructor: Samael Leopold-Sullivan

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  • Torch + Pour + Solder: Mixed Materials Sculpture

    • Mon, June 08, 2026
    • Mon, June 22, 2026
    • 3 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 4
    Register

    Create a sculptural piece using three fire arts in this combo class! You'll learn the basics of flameworking with borosilicate glass, cuttlebone casting with lead-free pewter, and soft soldering techniques, as well as how to combine all three into one piece. We'll start with boro flameworking, making components to soft solder together into a sculpture. The next session will cover pewter casting, creating additional components. Finally, you'll learn how to use soft soldering techniques to combine your glass and pewter elements into a sculpture.

    This is a semi-intermediate class where ambitious beginners are welcome but the pace will be fast. If you have prior experience with at least one of the mediums, you'll be more comfortable keeping up.

    $170 ($135 tuition + $35 materials)   |   3 weeks
    Open to ages 16 and up.

    Instructor: Samael Leopold-Sullivan 

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  • Open Torch Time: Soft Glass

    • Sat, June 20, 2026
    • 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    Open Torch Time is available to people who have taken (or are currently taking) a lampworking class at CAFAC.

    Keep your chops up with regular Torch Time and share studio time with your fellow artisans! You supply the consumables (glass, mandrels, and bead release) and CAFAC will supply the torches and tools. We have space for up to seven lampworkers, so sign up today to reserve your spot at the torch!

    $45

    Instructor: Mary Ila Duntemann 

    Show details

  • Open Torch Time: Borosilicate Glass

    • Sat, June 27, 2026
    • 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 6
    Register

    Open Torch Time is available to people who have taken (or are currently taking) a borosilicate glass class at CAFAC.

    Keep your chops up with regular Torch Time and share studio time with your fellow artisans! You supply the glass and CAFAC will supply the torches and tools. We have space for up to six flameworkers, so sign up today to reserve your spot at the torch!

    $45

    Instructor: Ashley Austin

    Show details

  • Stained Glass Project Shop: Pride Suncatcher

    • Sun, June 28, 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 5
    Register

    Celebrate Pride by learning to make your own stained glass Pride-themed suncatcher! This is an ideal project to learn the basics: how to read a stained glass pattern, cut glass, assemble and solder components, and patina and seal your finished project. Patterns will be provided and you can choose between three different styles of leaves. No prior stained glass experience needed. 

    $85 ($70 tuition + $15 materials)
     Open to ages 16 and up.

    Instructor: Samael Leopold-Sullivan 

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  • Borosilicate Glass Project Sampler: Little Critters

    • Sun, June 28, 2026
    • 3:00 PM - 6:30 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    Learn how to make your own little critter in borosilicate glass! Borosilicate is the beefy cousin of soft glass. It's in the same family as Pyrex, allowing it to withstand multiple heat/cool cycles with minimal cracking and is commonly used to make vessels for laboratory experiments (aka scientific glass). Because it takes more heat to melt, it allows artists more time and control while sculpting with it. In this class, you'll learn how to light a torch, melt glass, and play with color and shape. You'll assemble and join components into a solid 3-D form, anneal your critter and give it a name if you'd like! No prior glass experience needed.

    Please note: Your little critter will be available to pick up two days after class, in order to give it time to complete the annealing process.

    $75 ($65 tuition + $10 materials)
    Open to ages 16 and up.

    Instructor: Samael Leopold-Sullivan 

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CHICAGO AVENUE FIRE ARTS CENTER   3749 Chicago Avenue  |  Minneapolis, MN 55407  |  612-294-0400  |  info@cafac.org 

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