Entry No. 40 — the Columbus file — filed under: glassblowing
Columbus Glass Art Center
Formerly known as Glass Axis, this massive 10,000-square-foot non-profit studio is Ohio's largest community glass art center, offering hands-on instruction in everything from hot glassblowing to neon art.
The story
In 1987, ten Ohio State University glass art graduates started a collective that grew into Glass Axis—now rebranded as the Columbus Glass Art Center. They carved out a 10,000-square-foot industrial facility at 892 Scott Street in Franklinton, turning it into Ohio's largest community glass art center.
The interior is divided into seven distinct shops, each running on its own thermal threshold and equipment setup. The Hot Shop is the thermal heart of the building, housing two glory holes and furnaces cranking molten glass at 2,100°F. Adjacent bays feature torches for flameworking, kilns firing fused glass at 1,500°F, cutting stations for lead came and copper foil stained glass, mosaic benches, and equipment for bending custom neon art.
It is an artist-run non-profit, but it functions like an open-access workshop rather than an exclusive guild. You can sign up to blow a tumbler, watch live Saturday demonstrations, or grab something cold out of the after-class beer fridge. You end up in an industrial space that feels less like a quiet community classroom and more like a working hot shop where people happen to shape glass pumpkins and colorful birds.
What it's like
Expect real heat, loud furnaces, and immediate hands-on work. When you arrive at the Scott Street studio, you will feel the radiant warmth from the Hot Shop before you even pick up a blowpipe. Instructors keep a close eye on safety, but they put the tools directly in your hands to gather, turn, and blow the molten glass. Wear closed-toe shoes and cotton or natural fiber clothing—synthetic fabrics do not handle furnace heat well. Remember that you cannot take your piece home immediately; hot and fused glass must sit in an annealer overnight to cool slowly, requiring a return trip a couple of days later.
The move: Book a 'First Experience' class to sculpt a colorful glass bird, blow a custom glass tumbler, or mold a seasonal glass pumpkin together under the guidance of a professional artist.
- 📍 Franklinton
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 892 Scott St, Columbus, OH 43222
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Central Ohio School of Metalwork — Pair high-heat glassblowing with a hands-on metal forging session run by a Forged in Fire contestant just seven-tenths of a mile away.
- WitchLab — Trade furnace heat for occult curiosities and hand-blended potions at this 2,500-square-foot oddities shop eight-tenths of a mile down the road.
- The Franklinton Slingshot — Take a short walk through Franklinton to see this massive 20-foot-tall, 6,000-pound steel slingshot sculpture along the Scioto River.
- Green Lawn Cemetery (Hayden Mausoleum) — Balance a loud, fiery studio session with a quiet stroll through this historic 1848 park-like cemetery located 1.5 miles south.
Good to know
Do I need any prior glassblowing experience to take a class?
No experience is required. Their 'First Experience' classes and introductory workshops are specifically designed for complete beginners.
Can I take my glass piece home right after class?
No. Hot blown glass and fused glass pieces must cool slowly in an annealing oven to prevent structural cracking, so you will need to pick up your piece a day or two later.
What should I wear to a class at the glass center?
Wear closed-toe shoes and natural fiber clothing like cotton. Avoid synthetic fabrics, which can melt near high heat sources like torches and furnaces.
Is there a way to watch glassblowing for free without booking a class?
Yes. You can visit the gallery and gift shop during operating hours, and they host free public glass art demonstrations on the last Saturday of every month from 4 PM to 6 PM.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Reddit
last checked: 2026-07-21