Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts

The glass flower making class was so much fun. Me and my co-worker were looking for something fun and unique to try and we found it here. I was a little nervous that it was going to be more scary than it was, since I had zero background in glass blowing/glass working, however, our instructor was so good at explaining every step before we started it. I never felt rushed and our instructor was so positive and great at making us feel comfortable. I was also worried I was going to be dying by the end due to the heat, but they have amazing A/C and I was comfortable the whole time. Great experience and I already have my next one booked!

We came with a group to learn how to make our own glass paper weights. The class was excellent! Our instructor went above and beyond by explaining things very well, answering all our questions and even making it educational. The best part? They really want you to do as much of it on your own which was really fun. I appreciated that our instructor walked us through the whole entire process first and then was ready to assist us if we needed it. The worst part? The class goes by so fast because you’re having such a good time. Make sure to check out their shop too which is full of handmade items. They also offer a variety of classes for all ages.

A great way to experience / get into glass making. Love their free public viewing sessions. Looking forward to taking some of their classes in the future!

My sister and I participated in a paperweight making class. We had an amazing time. Greeted immediately when we walked in, enjoyed looking at all of the objects for sale on display. Julia Treder did a fabulous job explaining all of the steps and guiding us through the process of making glass art hands on as well as being very personable and fun. Would do this again!

This place is amazing. Im on my 2nd visit and the teachers are amazing. I will keep coming back, in fact i need to use my next groupon. They help every step of the way and are not short of being amazing teachers!

I recently took the glassblowing discovery session, making a glass paperweight. Loved this class! I was one of 3 participants in the session. We learned about the steps we would move through to make the paperweight, and then were individually instructed through each step to complete the project. Very satisfying to complete and a great primer to whet your appetite to learn more. One note: It is quite warm even in winter in the hot room. Believe it! Definitely recommend!! I also recently took the glass fusing discovery class. In this class you make a small (~4x4) dish. So fun! You do this on a flat surface, and learn about the types of glass materials, including various glass remnants and frit, and learn basic glass cutting techniques. Finished examples are shown to help you come up with an idea of what you want to make. The instructor demonstrates the various tools, cutting techniques and how to adhere materials to the base glass sheet. Then, you are turned loose to do your own thing so your creative juices can flow. A fun class! For both classes, you need to return a a few days later to pick up your project, as the projects must be fired and cooled. These discovery classes are great ways to learn more about various glass arts and come home with beautiful finished projects.

Did the Discovery class with my wife for a birthday gift. The place is well kept and the staff is very friendly helpful and engaging. They are also encouraging with their teaching and do a good job explaining everything you will be doing. Definitely worth a try. We will get to pick up our pieces we made in the next week.

The courses are educational and instructors are supportive and friendly. They made it fun and engaging, very easy to dive right in! I would love to take another course in the future!

Glass is such an amazing material to work with and FOCI lets you experience it fro. Stained glass to fusing to hot glass. Diacoveey sessions are a great way to get started and classes are very well taught and instructors very patient

I took the Birds -stained glass discovery one day class with my daughter and had a great time! Neither of us had ever worked with glass before and Sarah, the instructor, was fun and patient and did a wonderful job helping everyone and demonstrating techniques! We had a great evening and drove home chatting about what other classes we can take there!

We were able to attend the open house yesterday and got to see a live events for glass blowing. I have never seen live glass blowing and it was definitely worth it and learned a lot about the entire process and see some very cool artwork. It was for all ages, and they provided some snacks and you were able to buy some of the art afterwards. I'm sure I will come back in the future when they do another open house

Great customer service experience with Abbey! Wonderful paperweight class with Mitchell! He made class fun and is very knowledgable. Mitchell assisted and kept a very watchful eye on everything. The glass was so beautiful and I had such a wonderful enjoyable experience. I always felt safe. I was able to easily find parking. Shop and work environment were very tidy and clean. Beautiful sales area with glass sculptures like a museum. I will definitely sign up for another class here. I highly recommended to anyone interested In glass work.

Got a Groupon, which was originally $72 for 2 people, but with an additional discount I only paid $57. Eitherway... it was worth it. It was a great way to spend 1.5hrs. Our instructor was very thorough in explaining the process, after which we had about 1hr 15mins to work. The fusing didn't include any heat [during the class]. Instead we used glue to affix smaller pieces of glass (that you cut and shape) onto a piece of clear glass, about 5"x5". Before going it's important to know you won't get to take your project home that day. Pieces are left behind, fired up at a later time, and ready for pick up within 7 days. The instructor was clear in explaining this. For me it wasn't a big deal, but if you're expecting to have the finished product in hand sooner... you've been cautioned. That said, I was able to get mine in 5 days. Anyway, I highly recommend buying this Groupon, and reserving your spot ASAP. If the Groupon deal is gone, just purchase through Foci because you won't be disappointed.

What a great space to learn about glass! I came for an open house event and got to watch a local artist make glass right in front of my eyes. They offer classes for adults and kids. They also have some amazing glass pieces for sale.

We took the Pumpkin glass blowing discovery class. This class was just the right amount of hands-on working with the glass, and the instructor helping, so that the end product didn't look like a kindergarten art project. In fact, what we got to take home is a very nice glass pumpkin which we can definitely say we had a hand in making. Carla was a great instructor, as well as being very friendly and entertaining. Overall, it was a great experience, and we might return to really learn the intricacies of glass-blowing.

The ONLY glass art nonprofit in the midwest! This org is run by just 5 staff members and a bunch of volunteers, all of them very passionate about the midwest glass community. Foci MCGA offers classes to both beginners and very advanced glassblowers. Their studios can be rented by artists and their space supports a multitude of different glass art techniques such as glassblowing, flame working, kiln working, neon, cold working,and mold making. There is something for everybody! Definitely look into their Glass Discoveries if you've never tried glass art before and need somewhere to start!

We had the best time! Glass infusion glass with my 13 year old niece. The teacher was very helpful. We had a lot of resources to be creative and learned a lot and had so much fun! I can't wait to pick up our pieces and see how our creations turned out! And I look forward to signing up for the glass blowing classes !

This is the 2nd glass I've taken at Foci. I love this place. The teachers are informative, relaxed demeanor, yet passionate for their work. Variety if classes available. On the website they are more high end expense (several hundred). Though these classes are very hands on and you are learning a trade, art form like glass blowing or neon. I bought a Groupon for a glass fusing class for two for a reasonable price (think it was 65). All their classes are small, intimate classes that allow for one on one interaction. The other class was through White Bear Center of the Arts with "field trip" class to make a glass blown ornament (that was approximately 85) These classes are more for beginners. For the ornament, the instructor did the blowing and shadowed through much of the process. Finding this place is an experience of its own. The first time I went in through a labyrinth to find it. Really the true entrance is in the back of the building so you need to drive around to the back. Soon will not be an issue because they are relocating to Seward neighborhood in about a month.

This was so much fun! My fiancé and I received this as a Christmas present and decided to do it for Valentine's Day! It was so cool to learn about glass and how each glass produces different outcomes! We cannot wait to pick up our pieces in 7 days!

A friend and I participated in a fusion discovery class. The instructor was wonderful and patient with us newbies. An absolutely wonderful ecperience. We will be back for more classes!

My hubby surprised me with a Valentine's date to Foci for a glass blowing class. I've seen glass blowing done before, but have never actually attempted it. Our instructor was fabulous, and you could tell he was very passionate about the art of glass blowing. First he walked us through all of the machinery and steps involved with glass blowing, and gave us a short demonstration on how to make a paper weight (which is what we were about to do). He made it look so easy! My husband opted to make a business card holder instead of the paper weight and I made the paper weight. Our instructor was sure to help us whenever we had trouble. I can't wait to pick up our finished product in a few days! We were the only people in the studio, and when we were finished, he offered to show us how to make a glass or a vase, our choice. We decided to have him make a mug, and he said we could keep it at the end! I thought this was very cool. If anyone is looking for a unique way to spend an evening or a fun date night, I would definitely recommend Foci.

I was shocked to find out that Foci was yet to be reviewed - a virtual unknown in the Yelp universe. So it is with great pleasure that I can be the first to review and introduce this place, for all to enjoy! Foci is a non-profit focused on "engaging the Minnesota community in the study and appreciation of glass arts, while expanding the potential of the medium". While it is easy to appreciate the amazing creations that glass artists make, I can believe it would be a difficult art to study and work in - as overhead costs are pretty high. And that is why Michael Boyd wanted to start his own studio - to make it affordable for artists and build a community. I never would have found this place if I didn't purchase a Living Social deal that involved creating my own pint glass and a beer tasting at the studio. And we never would have found the building if someone wasn't outside in the cold directing us. It is a little tough the first time. But no matter - once inside the old converted warehouse, I was hooked. A real glass studio! Our instructors for the event were all great, knowledgeable and currently artists working there. Michael, the owner, welcomed the group and gave us the safety run down, and Al followed up with a detailed step by step overview of what we would be doing. This was the last living social group to come through - and so far, everyone made a functional glass, and no one got hurt. The pressure was on. One at a time, our artists/teachers worked with us, guiding us through the process and taking over only when it was clear that a certain level of skill was needed. They were patient with the Beau - as he has a slight problem with instructions. And when I wimped out in front of the kiln because it was too hot, my instructor took over without making me feel bad. Hey - that thing resembles the belly of hell, and is just as hot! Around 2200 degrees. The whole process was a load of fun to watch - as everyone worked on their glasses. And even though I was stupid enough to burn myself (doing exactly what they told me not to do), I would absolutely go back and do it all again - sans the burning flesh. Leave it to me to blow the perfect safety record. Sorry guys! My Bad. I encourage anyone interested in trying something different to check this place out! Their classes are reasonably priced and everyone there was friendly, knowledgeable, fun and helpful. No matter what your skill level, you will leave with a finished, recognizable piece. Actually, you will have to come back and pick it up, since the cooling process takes about 18 hours. But no matter - that will give you a chance to check out the gallery, which you know have an even greater appreciation for the works.

I bought a glass blowing class for my husband and I for a Christmas gift. My husband wasn't all that excited about it until we went. Now he can't stop talking about it. I have seen glass blowing several times and always wanted to try. The instructor was great, patience and very helpful. Needless to say we both loved it and can't wait to go again. This is a fun night out.

My husband and I had such a great experience here! We had Jon as our guide and we couldn't have asked for better. He showed us how to do everything, step by step, and he guided us through every step. My husband was more advanced so he let him be more independent, and I needed more help so he helped me more, without making me feel bad. My husband and I are not artistic or crafty at all but we thought it was a really cool activity! Jon also knew the chemistry behind glassblowing so he and my husband enjoyed talking about that. I highly recommend this place!

Great place to learn how to do glass work. Friendly staff too. My 13 yr old had a very patient instructor guide him in making a paperweight. He was so proud of his work!

I just recently did a Christmas charity event there. We blew glass ornaments. The workers there were very welcoming and put me right to work. I would recommend this studio if there are any glass blowers looking for a home.