Artists in Your School
We can bring the world of glassmaking directly to your school! Our trained Teaching Artists craft unique, hands-on lessons to explore art, science, math, writing, history and culture through the ancient art of glassmaking.
These customizable programs are tailored to your students’ needs and align with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. Both single and multi-session classes are available and draw from the techniques listed below.
Cost: Contact Program Director, Michelle Knox for more information.
All GlassRoots programs for Newark youth are subsidized by grants and donations from GlassRoots supporters.
Stained Glass
Stained glass is an art form that has adorned buildings since the Middle Ages. In these classes, students will learn basic glass-cutting and design skills to create their own small translucent glass objects.
Sample Project: Suncatchers: Ages 12+
Each student makes a small suncatcher to catch the light, creating small rainbows in their classroom and at home. Students will learn to cut sheet glass and use metal foil and flux to solder the frame to create this colorful keepsake.
Etching
Students will learn how to physically and chemically transform the surface of glass using various etching techniques.
Sample Project: The Weight of Words: Ages 8+
Words matter. Teaching Artists lead students in an exercise about the power of their words. Using stencils, etching cream and our portable sandblasting machine, students then create their statement on glass.
Mosaics
Using small, fragmented pieces of colored glass, students learn to assemble images and abstract designs that showcase their creativity. Our Teaching Artists also incorporate the ancient history of mosaics, application of geometric patterns, and color theory. Students can work on individual mosaic projects or create a group mosaic for your classroom or school.
Sample Project: Exploring Patterns: Ages 8+
Patterns are all around us. In nature. In math. In design. Students will replicate and reimagine these patterns, while designing their own mosaics.
Sample Project: Exploring Nature: Ages 10+
Inspired by nature, students will create realistic or abstract representations of the world around them.
Sample Project: Exploring Self Portraits: Ages 14+
Students will choose how best to represent themselves in glass tiles, either through realistic portrayal, abstractions or symbols.
Image Transfer Process
Students will learn to transfer an image or drawing to a glass picture, then add collage elements to create their own original works of art.
Sample Project: The Body-Positive Workshop: Ages 10+
This workshop explores the concept of identity and emphasizes that people, like works of art, come in different sizes, shapes, shades and forms. In the process of creating their mixed-media artwork, students learn how to draw basic anatomy and reflect on their own identities.
Sample Project: Memoirs: Ages 10+
Using photographs and other collage materials, students create visual memoirs. They explore their own backgrounds, family and cultural histories.
Mixed-Media
Glass is just the beginning, as students explore ways to bring together art media, along with non-art objects, to create unexpected works of art.
Sample Project: Upcycling into Art: Ages 8+
With a focus on sustainability, students will recycle and upcycle in this fun and unusual art class. Beginning with a blank canvas, each student will use tumbled glass fragments, mica powder, acrylics, and glitter, along with found objects such as buttons, earrings, acorns and more, to create one-of-a-kind textural landscapes.
Glass Classes
Stained Glass
Stained glass is an art form that has adorned buildings since the Middle Ages. In these classes, students will learn basic glass-cutting and design skills to create their own small translucent glass objects.
Sample Project: Suncatchers: Ages 12+
Each student makes a small suncatcher to catch the light, creating small rainbows in their classroom and at home. Students will learn to cut sheet glass and use metal foil and flux to solder the frame to create this colorful keepsake.
Etching
Students will learn how to physically and chemically transform the surface of glass using various etching techniques.
Sample Project: The Weight of Words: Ages 8+
Words matter. Teaching Artists lead students in an exercise about the power of their words. Using stencils, etching cream and our portable sandblasting machine, students then create their statement on glass.
Mosaics
Using small, fragmented pieces of colored glass, students learn to assemble images and abstract designs that showcase their creativity. Our Teaching Artists also incorporate the ancient history of mosaics, application of geometric patterns, and color theory. Students can work on individual mosaic projects or create a group mosaic for your classroom or school.
Sample Project: Exploring Patterns: Ages 8+
Patterns are all around us. In nature. In math. In design. Students will replicate and reimagine these patterns, while designing their own mosaics.
Sample Project: Exploring Nature: Ages 10+
Inspired by nature, students will create realistic or abstract representations of the world around them.
Sample Project: Exploring Self Portraits: Ages 14+
Students will choose how best to represent themselves in glass tiles, either through realistic portrayal, abstractions or symbols.
Image Transfer Process
Students will learn to transfer an image or drawing to a glass picture, then add collage elements to create their own original works of art.
Sample Project: The Body-Positive Workshop: Ages 10+
This workshop explores the concept of identity and emphasizes that people, like works of art, come in different sizes, shapes, shades and forms. In the process of creating their mixed-media artwork, students learn how to draw basic anatomy and reflect on their own identities.
Sample Project: Memoirs: Ages 10+
Using photographs and other collage materials, students create visual memoirs. They explore their own backgrounds, family and cultural histories.
Mixed-Media
Glass is just the beginning, as students explore ways to bring together art media, along with non-art objects, to create unexpected works of art.
Sample Project: Upcycling into Art: Ages 8+
With a focus on sustainability, students will recycle and upcycle in this fun and unusual art class. Beginning with a blank canvas, each student will use tumbled glass fragments, mica powder, acrylics, and glitter, along with found objects such as buttons, earrings, acorns and more, to create one-of-a-kind textural landscapes.
