August 2022 Newsletter

Explore Glass Art with Upcoming Classes, New Tools, and Artist Spotlights
August is packed with creativity at Potekglass, featuring new classes, exciting retail updates, and artist highlights that inspire your glass art journey. From torchwork to kilnforming, we’re offering classes to expand your skills and projects, plus our Free Glass Fridays continue to provide the perfect opportunity for hands-on practice.

Art in the Shop: Baby Blue Jay
Potekglass is proud to showcase Baby Blue Jay, created during the 2010 residency at the Blake School Lower campus. The piece was developed as a template for the McGuire Artist in Residence program, with the second-grade class focusing on local birds as part of their natural history unit. Baby Blue Jay was inspired by their drawings and now serves as a backlit series of panels in the entrance of the school’s building, celebrating nature and creativity in glass.

Artist in the World: Karl Unnasch
Karl Unnasch is a talented stained glass artist whose work often features bold narratives accessible to everyone. One of his most significant pieces, Bluffland, is a 4x6-foot stained glass window installed in the lobby of F&M Bank, honoring Fillmore County’s rural culture with a playful, seek-and-find style. His work invites viewers to discover the joy and beauty of the ordinary. Other featured works include Rustican and Minnesotan & Pissed Off, all of which can be explored in his portfolio.

Upcoming Classes at Potekglass
Potekglass is offering a diverse range of classes to inspire both beginner and advanced glass artists.

Cracking the Kiln Code with Malcom – Saturday, Sept. 10, 17, 24 & Oct. 1
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Cost: $175 (non-members), $157.50 (members)
This 4-week course explores the many techniques of kilnforming, from fusing and slumping to mold-making. Students will create bowls, tiles, and sculptures while learning about kiln furniture, testing for hot spots, and more.

Italian Soft Glass Try-iT! – Saturday, September 3rd
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Cost: $95 (non-members), $69 (members)
Learn the basics of working with Italian soft glass and make beads on the torch. Explore surface decoration techniques and produce 6-12 beads, depending on your work style. This class certifies you to join Torch Open Studio and Free Glass Friday Sessions.

Basics from Boron Try-iT! – Saturday, September 10th
Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Cost: $95 (non-members), $69 (members)
Discover the sculptural potential of borosilicate glass, also known as Boro. This class covers torchwork basics and allows you to create a small paperweight, icicle ornament, and glass figure. You’ll be certified to join Torch Open Studio and Free Glass Friday sessions.

Free Glass Fridays – Torch & Kiln – Every Friday, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Cost: $35 (non-members), $25 (members)
Spend 4 hours using our equipment to create glass art. Free glass is provided for kiln and torch sessions, and you can borrow or bring your own tools.

Retail in the Shop: Inland Grinder
We are excited to offer the WizlingCG Glass Grinder, an ideal choice for hobbyists and those working with stained glass. This compact grinder is perfect for shaping glass edges, whether you’re doing stained glass work or lapidary projects. Visit us in the shop to see the new Inland and Techniglass grinders in action.

Potekglass Hours:
TUESDAY – SATURDAY: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
THURSDAY: Open Until 8:00 PM
MONDAY: Closed
SUNDAY: Closed

For more information or to book a class, call 612-281-7243 or email info@potekglass.com. We look forward to seeing you soon!

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