Sonoran Glass School has become a hub for local artists and creators seeking to explore the timeless art of glassmaking.
Founded in 2001, Sonoran Glass School, 633 W. 18th St., has transformed the way Tucson artists engage with glass as an artistic medium. With its towering furnace and colorful molten creations, the school stands as a testament to glass art — a craft that dates back thousands of years.
Through its classes, workshops and lectures, the school has become a vital part of Tucson’s artistic ecosystem, offering both seasoned artists and first-time visitors a chance to learn, create and be inspired.
Kathrine Pew, left, Kayla Kelly, the warm shop manager at Sonoran Glass School, and Kristen Cook, right, finish up their powder glass artwork during a workshop on Dec. 6.
The roots of glassmaking at Sonoran Glass School run deep. The studio’s history is intertwined with the passion of founders Tom Philabaum and Dave Klein, who have a long history of working with glass.
Philabaum and Klein formed the Sonoran Art Foundation before outgrowing their studio space and acquiring a closed-down tire station in one of Tucson’s oldest neighborhoods south of downtown, according to the school’s website, which is where the school stands today.
The school has evolved over the years and has a full-time staff who run the workshops and help keep the school active. Each staff member brings their own long history of expertise to the craft, which ensures that everyone gets the best knowledge about working with glass when coming to the school.
A student shapes molten glass in the hot shop of Sonoran Glass School on Dec. 6.
“Glassblowing is one of the oldest arts in the world,” said Marica Whittemore, Director of Education and Outreach at Sonoran Glass School. “It's about manipulating an element of nature — sand, heat and air — to create something beautiful, functional or even abstract. The possibilities are endless and I love that we’ve been able to bring this craft to the Tucson community for all these years.”
Glassblowing is no easy feat; it requires a delicate balance of skill, patience and artistry, Whittemore added.
The process starts with gathering molten glass from a furnace at temperatures approaching 2,000 degrees before it is sculpted into intricate forms. The glassblower must act quickly, using tools such as iron rods, paddles and air to shape and form the molten glass into everything from vases to sculptures to ornaments. The work is labor-intensive, but the results are breathtaking — glowing sculptures, delicate flowers and shimmering glassworks that seem to defy gravity.
Kayla Kelly, the warm shop manager at Sonoran Glass School, leads a powder glass workshop on Dec. 6.
Sonoran Glass School is not just a place for professional artists but also a community space and nonprofit that fosters learning and creativity for all. Whether you're a beginner eager to try your hand at glassblowing or an experienced artist looking to refine your techniques or rent bigger equipment, the school offers a variety of classes and tools to accommodate all levels of experience.
“At our facility we have four studios: a hot shop, a cold shop, a warm shop and a frame shop where you can do different things with glass,” Whittemore said. “Glassblowing happens in the hot shop — most people know this one and some may have seen the Netflix show ‘Blown Away’ which gives you a look at glassblowing.”
In the warm shop, glass artists do fused glass projects, Whittemore added. The frame shop is where artists use a torch to do smaller glass projects, and in the cold shop artists do their finishing, polishing and sandblasting.
Kayla Kelly, middle, the warm shop manager at Sonoran Glass School, leads a powder glass workshop on Dec. 6.
“Within each of the studios we offer the space for classes, workshops or for artists to rent if they don’t have a furnace at home and want access to our equipment and tools,” Whittemore said. “It is really a space for everyone and that helps us fulfill our mission to bring glass art to everyone.”
One of the highlights of Sonoran Glass School is its approach to education. Classes are taught by skilled artists who bring decades of experience to the studio, allowing students to explore the technical and creative aspects of glassmaking. The hands-on learning experience ensures that students don’t just watch the art of glassblowing but actively participate in the process, crafting their own unique pieces under the guidance of expert instructors.
While many students start with basic techniques such as paperweights and ornaments, some go on to create large-scale installations, sculptures and functional glassware. Some students even find themselves so inspired by the craft that they pursue glassblowing professionally, Whittemore added.
“We offer a really broad variety of classes and it speaks to people who have never done any glass art all the way up to experienced artists who are selling their work in galleries who need to use our space in some regard,” Whittemore said.
Kayla Kelly, the warm shop manager at Sonoran Glass School, leads a powder glass workshop on Dec. 6.
Moreover, the studio’s inclusive environment encourages collaboration, where students and artists from different backgrounds share their ideas and expertise. The result is a constant exchange of creativity that brings new perspectives to the medium.
“We teach all ages, some of our programs appeal to our seniors 65 years and up and some to younger artists and that’s great,” Whittemore said. “Our visiting artists hold workshops for everyone and share their expertise with other artists and beginners.”
As the years go on, Sonoran Glass School continues to evolve. Recently, the studio opened up their “Date Night” after-hours event where couples can participate in glassblowing. Currently, they are making ornaments.
“Classes are listed on our website and every semester there is an open house to see demonstrations and people can get more information on the school,” Whittemore said. “We also host visiting artist workshops and lectures, so there’s always a chance — even if you’ve never done any glass art — to learn a little more in those opportunities.”
Sonoran Glass School, 633 W. 18th St., on Dec. 6.
Looking forward, Whittemore hopes to expand the school’s outreach efforts and bring more awareness to the rich tradition of glassblowing and glass artistry, especially as the school enters 2025 celebrating decades serving the Tucson community which they are calling “the Year of Glass.”
“Glass is an ever-evolving art form,” she says. “We are constantly pushing boundaries, testing new techniques and keeping this craft alive in new ways and keeping true to our mission of bringing this art to the vibrant Tucson community.”
To learn more about Sonoran Glass School or register for a class, visit their website at sonoranglass.org. The school is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
Glass rods are organized by color at the Sonoran Glass School on Dec. 6.
