Bob S.
Google
I recently completed the 8-week Introduction to Glassblowing class at the North Carolina Glass Center, taught by the incredible duo, Max and Mark, and I couldn't be more impressed!
Both Max and Mark are truly excellent instructors. They meticulously demonstrated and explained every single technique required to create a glassblown piece in detail before we students even touched the bench. What truly sets them apart is their immense patience and helpfulness. As someone who readily admits to having "all the art skills of a bear cub" and a severe lack of artistic vision or fine motor coordination, I was genuinely surprised by how much they helped me create. They coached me through every step with unwavering patience, even when my creativity was, shall we say, non-existent.
It was also eye-opening to discover just how challenging glassblowing is, especially after seeing master artists make it look so effortless on TV and in person. Max and Mark did an amazing job breaking down each complex step, making the process manageable and creating a wonderfully supportive learning environment. The class limit of six people was perfect, allowing for plenty of one-on-one instruction and fostering a fantastic camaraderie among all the students. While I sometimes wished I had the incredible artistic talents and fine motor coordination of my fellow classmates, it was definitely a worthwhile and incredibly valuable learning experience.
Highly recommend the North Carolina Glass Center, especially classes with Max and Mark, for anyone looking to try glassblowing!