Glass

Students working in the glass hot shop

UNK is proud to be the only state-funded university in Nebraska with a concentration in glass. Our glass emphasis focuses on developing community, collaborating with other programs, and providing professional experiences to our art and design students.

Students engage in various glassblowing techniques through one-on-one instruction, including colorizing, casting, slumping, blasting, and joining. This hands-on exploration allows them to create diverse vessels and sculptural works. The Glass Club serves as an additional creative outlet. It provides valuable opportunities for students to participate in fundraising events where they can sell their works and gain insights into running a small business. Moreover, our nationally known assistant professor, Nadine Saylor, helps connect students to summer internship opportunities. Through workshops and partnerships with prestigious institutions like Bucks Rock Camp, Penland School of Crafts, and the Pilchuck Glass School, students can further their skills and knowledge in a professional setting. These internships offer unique experiences for our students to expand their artistic horizons and develop their careers.

OPPORTUNITIES

  • Professional glassblower
  • Glassblowing instructor
  • Glass gallerist/assistant
  • Glassblowing assistant/gaffer
  • Art residencies
Student working in glass hot shop
Close-up of the glory hole
Students working in glass hot shop
Student working with Professor Saylor in hot shop

FACILITIES

This lab is open to all students currently enrolled in a Glass course. Our state-of-the-art facilities allow Art and Design students to explore glassblowing and glass casting along with metalworking.

  • Wet Dog 400 lb Glassblowing Furnace
  • Three fully equipped glass working stations creating more time for students to use the studio
  • Two casting kilns allow students to work in the lost wax casting process and fusing processes
  • Three Annealers for Annealing glass with a GB5
  • Garage and Pipe warmer
  • Hot torch and fluffy torch
  • Powder booth
  • One large adjustable height Jim “the Tool Boy” Diamond Lathe
  • One His Glassworks Belt Sander
  • One Waterjet designs diamond lap wheel
  • One 80 grit wheel
  • Polishing wheel
  • Metal working facilities located in the glass studio for fabrication
  • Mig Welder, oxy acetylene torch and plasma cutter

Student Examples

Studio Art students begin by learning the basic elements and principles of art within the foundational art courses. This prepares students for the required Sophomore Portfolio Review after which students become specialized in their artistic focus, creating a body of work for their senior exhibition.

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