Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Our studios are on the ground floor of the Park Trades Center in downtown Kalamazoo. Get directions here.

We are free and open to the public during our open hours. Our current open hours are:

  • Tuesday through Friday, 11am – 6pm
  • Saturday, noon-4pm
  • Sunday and Monday, Closed

Metered parking (free after 5pm and on the weekends) is available in front of our business on Kalamazoo Avenue and on Church Street. Additional paid parking is available in the parking ramp at Kalamazoo and Rose Street.

We offer free public glass blowing demonstrations on the First Friday of each month, during Art Hop. Learn about Art Hop here.

You can tour the studios and visit the Reflections Gallery during our open hours. See our current open hours here. We don’t charge an admission fee, but we do accept donations as we are a nonprofit, community-based arts organization. Any donation is greatly appreciated! You can make a donation by clicking here.

All of our classes and workshops are pre-registration only. You will receive guided instruction from a local artist instructor and all the materials to create your own glass artwork. Register for classes here.


We do offer walk-in tile classes during Art Hop for a small fee. Learn about Art Hop here.

We also offer fused glass kits that you can buy and take home to make your fused glass artwork. Buy a Take It! Kit here.

It’s hot 🙂 Temperatures in our glass blowing studio stay around 80 degrees.

During our open hours (Tuesday-Friday 11am-6pm, and Saturday, noon-4pm), feel free to give us a call at 269-552-9802. If you reach our voicemail recording, please leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible. You can also reach out to our team via email at [email protected]. We are open Tuesday-Friday 11am-6pm and Saturday noon-4pm, and will do our best to respond as quickly as possible to your inquiry. 

Questions About Classes

Yes! Our “Make It!” series of classes are designed for first-timers. Explore our classes here.

Yes! The minimum age to take a class varies by studio: 12 and up for glass blowing classes, 11 and up for lampworking classes, and 6 and up for kiln fusing classes. We also host a Summer Glass Camp for Kids every summer.

Please wear comfortable, natural fiber clothing. Jeans and t-shirts are great. Wear flat closed-toed shoes. Anything that hangs away from the body (long necklaces, scarves, etc.) should be left at home or removed before the class. Tie back long hair. Long hair is defined as anything that hangs forward or covers eyes. Masks are recommended at this time.


You should arrive to class at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled class time.

Yes, you will be in class with others unless you are in a private lesson. Other students and artists will be present in the studio. We are currently operating on a reduced class size basis and are recommending masks. 

 

Our Mask Policy: Masks are recommended at Glass Art Kalamazoo for all visitors in our studios regardless of vaccination status. If you forget your mask and would like one, we do have some masks available.

Due to the nature of hot glass, you will not be able to take any items with you. Hot glass must cool slowly over time to prevent stresses that will cause it to break. Items can generally be picked up at the front desk 5 to 7 days after your activity (sometimes sooner or later). You will receive an email or phone call letting you know your artwork is ready for pickup.  

Anyone can pick up your items with the following information:  

  • Date  
  • Name of the activity (type of item made – for example, pendants, or paperweights) 
  • First AND last name of the participant  

Yes. Shipping can be arranged the day of your class or by contacting [email protected]. Charges will vary according to the size of your projects and the destination of your package. Items can take up to 2 weeks to be shipped.

Unfortunately, classes are occasionally canceled because of enrollment and sometimes weather. If class is ever canceled, we will notify you immediately by email and phone and you will be offered another class, account credit, or a full refund. For this reason, it is important that you include your phone number, or the phone number of the participants when registering.  

Classes may also be canceled due to instructor illness, emergencies, or changes to the pandemic regulations. We will reach out via email if classes are canceled for any reason. Please make sure we have the most up-to-date contact information for the students participating in the class. 

All classes, workshops and open studio time require pre-registration. Payment in full is due no later than the first class session. We encourage you to sign up early. Classes may be canceled due to low enrollment. In the event a class is canceled for low enrollment, full refunds will be issued. To cancel a class, please contact [email protected] or 269.552.9802.

 

If you should cancel your class registration for any reason, a registration fee of $10 is withheld from all refunds. Cancellations received five days (or more) prior to the start date of class will receive a full refund minus the $10 cancellation fee. Cancellations received four days (or less) prior to the start date of class, will result in a 50% refund minus the $10 registration fee. Cancellations received within 24 hours of a class or after the class start date and time will result in a forfeit of all class tuition. If Glass Art Kalamazoo cancels the class for any reason, full refunds will be issued. A $30 returned check fee will be charged by Glass Art Kalamazoo for non-sufficient funds checks. Please note that Summer Camp and Group Events have a different cancellation policy.

Questions About Studio Rentals

Please contact our Studio Manager at [email protected] to discuss our renting options. You can find out more information about our rental policies, studios, and rental rates here.

Questions About Gift Certificates

Yes, we sell gift certificates in any denomination and they can be used for classes, workshops or in our gallery and gift shop. Gift certificates can be purchased online here, in person, or by calling 269-552-9802. Gift certificates are delivered by mail.

All gift certificates can be redeemed in person for items in our gift shop or gallery. To redeem a gift certificate for a class, please call us at 269-552-9802 or via email [email protected]. We will need the gift certificate’s number and amount in order to apply it to your account.

Questions About Repairs and Commissions

It depends. Please attach a photo of your glass item that needs repairing, contact information, and a description of the repair to [email protected] and our glass artists will contact you regarding your repair.

Please contact us at [email protected] with a description of your project, budget, timeframe, and contact information and one of our glass artists will contact you regarding your commission piece. You can also check out information here regarding memorial ash items to honor your loved ones, unity items for wedding celebrations, and other commission projects.