Workshop: Forage and Fuse

Create a totally unique glass object that holds the imprint of foraged plants at Foci, the Minnesota Center for Glass Arts in Minneapolis with glass artist Emma Wood. This class will use a technique called Fossil Virta, in which plant matter and colored glass frit powder is fused inside a solid glass piece. As the glass changes chemically and physically in the high temperatures of the glass kiln, the plant matter reacts and dissipates, leaving ash and any colored glass frit coating behind. Students will bring their own plant matter to seal within the glass piece and use Swedish kurbit folk art as a starting place for laying out a design. Each piece emerges from the kiln as an experiment and memento, capturing both a design and a moment in time.

This class takes place at Foci, the Minnesota Center for Glass Arts in Minneapolis. All materials are included in the class fee; please note that due to the use of glass frit powder throughout class, students will be asked to wear provided KN95 masks. Projects will be fused after class and will be available for pick up at the American Swedish Institute soon after class.