About the Venue:
Founded in 2009, Foci MCGA (Minnesota Center for Glass Arts) is Minnesota’s only nonprofit public-access glass studio and education center. Based in Minneapolis, we offer a curriculum taught by nationally recognized artists, plus youth programs, corporate experiences, events, and exhibitions, fostering a space that inspires curiosity, excitement, and mastery community.
What to Expect
Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts will participate in Doors Open Minneapolis on May 9–10, 2026, from 10am–5pm. Free activities include guided studio tours and a stained glass pendant project. Pre-registered, observation-based experiences include Design Your Own Glassblown Mug and Flower workshops. A weekend gallery sale offers a free glass item with $30 purchase. The exhibition Streptomyces by MiNHi England will also be on view.
Saturday May 9th, 2026
• 10:00am-5:00pm: Visitors can join brief guided studio tours offered every 20 minutes, providing a behind-the-scenes look at our hot shop, cold shop, and education spaces.
• 10:00am-5:00pm: In addition, guests may participate in a Stained Glass Pendant Activity. Participants will choose from pre-cut, copper-foiled glass pieces, which artists will solder on demand and finish with a jump ring. Those interested may try soldering themselves under supervision, and everyone leaves with a finished pendant.
• 2:00pm-5:00pm: Pre-register for Design Your Own Glassblown Mug, a hands- off beginner-friendly workshop that combines live glassblowing demonstration with guided design choices. Participants select the mug shape, colors, handle style, and functional details, then watch as the instructor creates their custom drinking vessel in the hot shop. While participants do not work directly with hot glass, they actively guide the aesthetic and structural design of their piece. This interactive experience blends craft education with personal expression—perfect for newcomers and anyone curious about the glassblowing process. This experience is observation-based only; participants do not handle hot glass or tools. Finished pieces cool slowly in the kiln and will be ready for gallery pickup within seven days. Registration coming soon!
Sunday May 10th, 2026
• 10:00am-5:00pm: Visitors can join brief guided studio tours offered every 20 minutes, providing a behind-the-scenes look at our hot shop, cold shop, and education spaces.
• 10:00am-5:00pm: Pre-register for Design Your Own Glassblown Flower, a hands-off hot glass experience. Participants work one-on-one with a professional glassblower to design custom glass flower by selecting colors and patterns, then observe as their designs are formed in real time using molten glass in the hot shop. This experience is observation-based only; participants do not handle hot glass or tools. Finished pieces cool slowly in the kiln and will be ready for gallery pickup within seven days. Registration is available below!
• 10:00am-1:00pm: Pre-register for Design Your Own Glassblown Mug, a hands- off beginner-friendly workshop that combines live glassblowing demonstration with guided design choices. Participants select the mug shape, colors, handle style, and functional details, then watch as the instructor creates their custom drinking vessel in the hot shop. While participants do not work directly with hot glass, they actively guide the aesthetic and structural design of their piece. This interactive experience blends craft education with personal expression—perfect for newcomers and anyone curious about the glassblowing process. This experience is observation-based only; participants do not handle hot glass or tools. Finished pieces cool slowly in the kiln and will be ready for gallery pickup within seven days. Registration coming soon!
https://www.mnglassart.org/upcomingevents/doors2026
Be Prepared
Parking The parking is small and has limited capacity, but there is free street parking available.
Requests for Accommodation should be sent to the accessibility coordinator, Tori Hansen, 10 days in advance. Contact tori.hansen@mnglassart.org