Entry No. 26 — the Minneapolis file — filed under: glassblowing
Stone Arch Glass Studio
Spanning 7,000 square feet in Northeast Minneapolis, this studio specializes in borosilicate glass lampwork, lathe work, and custom repairs. They offer beginner-friendly classes that teach the precise art of torchwork.
The story
Tucked away on Buchanan Street NE, Stone Arch Glass Studio isn't interested in shiny storefront displays or tourist appeal. Spanning 7,000 square feet, this industrial workshop has spent over 16 years operating as a serious hub for borosilicate flameworking, lampwork, and glass lathe operations in Northeast Minneapolis.
Inside, heat-driven craft meets real business. Glassblowers like Matt Hanzelka meld raw glass rods on heavy-duty motorized lathes, shaping dense borosilicate into precise functional tools and glasswork. It's also one of the rare local spots handling custom flame repairs—if you snap a technical glass piece, they'll weld it back together for a $50 base repair fee.
What it's like
Do not show up unexpected—the studio is open strictly by appointment only. If you book their two-hour express class, you step straight past the high-heat lathes into a raw industrial space lined with torch stations. You'll sit at your own bench with open flame inches from your face, rotating clear and colored glass rods into marbles, plant watering stakes, or pendants. It gets warm fast, so wear natural fibers, tie back long hair, and check their Instagram handle (@MinnesotaLegit) beforehand to see what project designs the instructors are running.
The move: Take their 2-hour 'Express Introduction to Glassblowing' class, where you'll sit at your own torch station and learn to melt and shape glass rods into custom marbles, plant watering rods, or pendants.
- 📍 Northeast Minneapolis
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 316 Buchanan St. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Beltrami Park — Walk off the high heat of the studio torches at this park 0.4 miles away, which sits directly on top of thousands of 19th-century graves from the former Maple Hill Cemetery.
- Twelve Vultures — Head less than a mile down the road to browse ethically sourced taxidermy and skeletal oddities in a room curated like a private Victorian museum.
- Watershed Spa — Trade open propane torches for a cold plunge and steam ritual at this subterranean bathhouse down in Marcy-Holmes.
- Rogue Buddha Gallery — Keep your Northeast industrial art tour going by visiting this moody, dark pop-surrealism gallery just over a mile away.
Good to know
Do I need prior glassblowing experience to take a class?
No. The express introductory classes are designed specifically for beginners, pairing you with an instructor to teach basic torchwork safety and glass shaping at your own station.
Can I bring damaged glass in for repair?
Yes, they handle custom borosilicate glass repairs starting at a $50 minimum base fee, though you must call ahead to schedule a drop-off.
Can I just walk in to browse or buy glass?
No. The studio operates by appointment only for both classes and repair drop-offs, so call ahead before heading to Buchanan Street.
How do I sign up for a workshop?
You'll need to call the studio directly to reserve a torch station, and you can check @MinnesotaLegit on Instagram for class photo previews.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · thegreatnorthernfestival.com · mndaily.com · nemaa.org
last checked: 2026-07-21