Entry No. 31 — the Indianapolis file — filed under: glassblowing
Glass Arts Indiana / Indy Fused Glass
Operating out of the sprawling Circle City Industrial Complex, this non-profit studio and its sister shop teach the vibrant arts of glassblowing, fusing, and slumping.
The story
Inside the sprawling 1918 automotive plant on the Near Eastside—a 16-acre industrial concrete labyrinth that long-time locals still call the CCIC, despite the official rebranding to the Factory Arts District—you will find Suites C-25 and C-5. Tucked into these concrete corridors are Glass Arts Indiana and its sister shop, Indy Fused Glass. While most people come to the complex for drinks or studio tours, this dual non-profit setup operates as an active workspace dedicated to the heavy thermal arts of glassblowing, slumping, and kilned fusion.
The operation splits the craft by temperature and technique. On one side, Glass Arts Indiana handles the high-heat molten furnace work, teaching visitors how to manipulate red-hot gather on a blowpipe. Down the hall at Indy Fused Glass, the approach shifts to cold assembly: you work with sheet glass, diamond-grit handheld glass cutters, and sharp colored shards, precision-layering design elements onto base squares before committing them to a long melt inside a high-temp kiln.
What it's like
Navigating the maze-like hallways of 1125 Brookside Avenue is half the experience, so leave a few extra minutes to locate Suite C-25 or C-5. Inside, expect an working-studio environment: the snip of handheld glass pliers, safety glasses on every counter, and the low hum of firing kilns. Keep in mind that glass isn't an instant-gratification medium; because melted glass requires a slow, controlled cooling process called annealing to prevent shattering, you won't take your finished bowl or plate home that night—you'll need to arrange a return visit or pickup once your piece leaves the kiln.
The move: Book a couples' glass fusing class to safely cut, layer, and arrange colorful glass shards onto an 8-inch square base, which is then melted in a kiln to create a custom decorative plate or bowl.
- 📍 Near Eastside / Factory Arts District
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 1125 Brookside Ave, Ste. C-25 & C-5, Indianapolis, IN 46202
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Factory Arts District — Since the glass studios sit inside this 16-acre former automotive plant, you can explore the surrounding tenant galleries and industrial hallways before or after your workshop.
- Salt & Ash Market — Located just steps away inside the same industrial complex, this apothecary studio offers a quieter, sensory-focused contrast to the heat and tools of the glass workshops.
- Wiseguy Lounge — Head less than a mile down the road to Mass Ave after your studio session to debrief over bourbon behind a hidden pizza shop door.
Good to know
Do I take my completed glass piece home the day of the class?
No. Glass projects must sit in high-temperature kilns to melt and then undergo a gradual cooling process (annealing) to prevent internal tension and cracking, meaning you will need to pick up your piece a few days later.
What is the distinction between Glass Arts Indiana and Indy Fused Glass?
While both operate within the same facility, Glass Arts Indiana operates as a non-profit focusing on molten furnace work and glassblowing (Suite C-25), while Indy Fused Glass (Suite C-5) focuses on cold glass cutting, layering, slumping, and kiln-fusing.
Where is the studio located within the building?
The studios are located inside the Factory Arts District (formerly the Circle City Industrial Complex) at 1125 Brookside Avenue in Suites C-25 and C-5.
Do I need to check open hours before visiting?
Yes. Class schedules, open studio access, and studio hours vary significantly depending on workshop bookings and firing schedules, so confirm their schedule online or call ahead before stopping by.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · visitindy.com · factoryartsdistrict.com · Reddit
last checked: 2026-07-21