This facility is utilized by approximately sixty students per semester. Instruction covers the blowing, casting, and fusing of glass, as well as cold fabrication. This institute, which has been renovated in the last five years, stays open until midnight. Students work in pairs or in teams of four in a facility that can accommodate up to three teams at a time.
Alfred University's Students
Alfred has twice as many students desiring to study blownglass than the department can accommodate. This has necessitated restricting enrollment and instituting prerequisite courses. Furthermore, students enrolled in glass studios are required to maintain a "B+" or better grade in glass in order to advance to the next level of study. Much sophomore and junior studio time is spent familiarizing students with materials and the safe operation of the equipment. Senior studio is taught as independent study, with many students incorporating glass with other materials to create mixed-media sculpture.
Specific Courses
Neon is offered at the junior and senior levels and does not have prerequisite courses. Technology in this medium is integrated in the introductory course with an emphasis on safety. Neon's focus is sculptural with some instruction in signage.