All programs Apply

Glass

BFA

Join an innovative and creative community that values craft and technology, fosters critical thinking, and nurtures sustainable approaches to glass.

Glass majors at MassArt cultivate the critical knowledge to pursue sustainable and meaningful futures as creative glass practitioners. Our curriculum provides a progressive trajectory that develops technical skills in glassblowing, flameworking, casting, mold-making, carving, and cold construction to inform thematic projects, historical context, personal interests, and professional development.

A worn-out yellowish locker with peeling paint stands between two similar lockers. It has green labels with illegible handwriting and some scribbles. The surface shows signs of wear and graffiti.

Hot glass on the end of a punty being blown into

Specialized glass studio courses examine materiality, process, and emerging technology, and seminars encourage students to examine the values that drive their work, their role as artists in society, and the relevant context for their work.

MassArt’s comprehensive glass studios provide state-of-the-art equipment for glass fabrication, including two furnaces for casting, blowing, and hot-sculpting glass, two workstations, and four annealers. The new flameshop is outfitted with five torches and workstations, and two annealers. Kilns support casting and fusing courses, and two state-of-the art coldshops include a sandblaster, carving equipment, polishing tools, and a Mercker lathe.

Featured Work

A round glass sculpture with abstract purple and white patterns is mounted on a wooden base. The background features blurred text on a glass panel.

Olivia Foss, ’24 BFA, Glass Cut Me, Glass, 2023

A small glass figurine of a deer stands atop a mound of green moss, evoking the serene beauty of Deer Isle. Mounted on a white textured wall, its shadow perfectly mimics the deers graceful form.

Sarah Perry, ’20 BFA, Glass Where, Oh Where Are the Deer of Deer Isle?, Glass, 2018

A geometric sculpture with a glossy surface stands on a pedestal. It is adorned with numerous eye designs. The artwork is lit from above, set against a dimly lit background with a window and ceiling pipes.

Katherine Purchase, ’20 BFA, Glass Eye Cone, Glass, 2019

A cluster of shiny, metallic, abstract sculptures titled Silvered Distortion is suspended by thin strings. The shapes resemble organic forms with smooth, reflective surfaces and varying textures. The dark background emphasizes the sculptures glossy appearance, creating a mesmerizing visual effect.

Alexander Gaudet, ’21 BFA, Glass Silvered Distortion, Glass, 2021

A colorful light fixture on a tiled wall creates a prism effect, casting vibrant patterns of purple, blue, and yellow light onto the wall. The fixture is sleek and modern with a reflective surface.

Olivia Curtis, ’22 BFA, Glass Polariscope, Glass, 2020

A glass art piece in the shape of an orb, with an intricate pattern of elongated white ovals and lines. It casts a complex shadow on a white surface, highlighting its translucent and reflective qualities reminiscent of an aquamarine treasure.

Nancy Callan, ’96 BFA, Glass Aquamarine Anemone Orb, Glass, 2016

In the studios and classrooms, our dedicated and accomplished Glass faculty work directly with students to provide technical instruction, facilitate discussions and lectures, and provide individualized feedback and support. Beyond the curriculum, students are encouraged to participate in a wealth of opportunities to enrich their experience at MassArt and develop their personal practices through travel, scholarships, and networking with professionals in the field.

Notable alumni of MassArt’s Glass program are successful creative entrepreneurs, exhibiting artists, award-winning designers, technical fabricators, and educators.

BFA Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the Glass BFA program are expected to be able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes.

Develop skill and an understanding of the importance of craftsmanship
Understand a wide range of approaches and methodologies to problem solving
Develop good working habits & self discipline
Develop cross disciplinary awareness
Develop an understanding of conceptual, symbolic and metaphoric issues
Develop an awareness of historical, contemporary, cross-cultural issues and artists working in their field
Encourage their personal vision and imaginations to become a tangible reality
Develop a working knowledge of design principles
Develop a sense of being an artist using life and studio experience to support their ideas
Cooperative classroom experience
Foster collaboration among peers
Establish relationships/ work with community
Safety: tools, equipment, materials, processes
To assume the responsibility of the development of their own professional career in whatever direction it may take
Participate in critical dialogue with peers in their field
Develop professional and vocational resources
Sustainability