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Riverglass Studio School hosts small, guided sessions where you work at the bench and glory hole with clear steps from gather to shaping. Formats include evening tasters, focused weekend courses and one-to-one tuition for deeper practice.
Each class begins with safety and heat awareness, then a demonstration of key moves: marvering, blocking, adding colour and using simple moulds. You’ll create straightforward pieces such as baubles or paperweights before trying a tumbler if time allows.
Finished work cools overnight in the annealer and is collected later or posted. All tools and materials are provided; bring natural fibres and closed shoes. Guidance is paced so beginners feel supported and returning learners can refine technique.
See full overview
Alex Holt
Lead Instructor
Maia Russell
Studio Coordinator
Owen Barker
Kiln Technician
Lin Cho
Studio Assistant
Evening Taster
From £45 / person
A friendly introduction covering heat, tools and colour. Make a small paperweight or bauble to collect after annealing.
Weekend Foundations
From £165 / person
Two focused days moving from gathers to simple vessels. Small groups with plenty of bench time and step-by-step coaching.
Private Tuition
From £65 / hour
One-to-one learning tailored to your aims: form, colour application or finishing. Suitable for motivated beginners and improvers.
Team Day & Groups
Quote on request
Short, upbeat sessions for small teams. Make keepsakes together and learn safe teamwork around heat and tools.
441 524 731 405
8 Chapel Street, Lancaster LA1 1NZ, England
For available dates and course formats, send a short note and the coordinator will respond with current options and next steps.
“Clear pacing and lots of bench time for a beginner. Loved taking home a bauble I actually made.”
– Harriet
“Friendly guidance and practical safety tips. Weekend course helped everything click.”
– Noah
“Good emails beforehand, easy to book a date. The annealing explanation made sense of the process.”
– Sana
“Private lesson focused on colour application—useful, calm and encouraging.”
– Lewis
“Our team day was a blast. Simple pieces, great photos, and safe flow around the hot shop.”
– Priya
“I appreciated the steady coaching on tool angles and heat control.”
– Ben
“Collected my pieces the next week—nicely finished and labelled.”
– Rosa
What should I wear?
Natural fibres, long trousers and closed shoes. Tie hair back and avoid loose sleeves. Safety eyewear is provided.
Can I bring a friend?
Yes—please book spaces for anyone attending the hot shop so we can plan instruction and safety briefings.
When do I get my work?
Pieces cool overnight in the annealer. Collection is usually within a week, or we can arrange post at cost.
Is prior experience required?
No—tasters are built for beginners. Returning learners can focus on form, colour use or finishing techniques.
Are gift vouchers available?
Yes—let us know the amount or session type and we’ll issue a dated code by email.
Accessibility and heat?
We’ll adapt pace and layout where possible. Share any access notes in your enquiry so the team can prepare.