08/21/2026
We are thrilled to welcome Visiting Artists Nelly Rose and Ashley Wright for a day-long Glass Casting workshop this Saturday!
The ancient art of casting glass via the "lost clay" process involves carving or pressing a clay relief into a unique form or shape before creating a plaster mold of the negative space around the clay. After the plaster mold has set, the students will remove the clay and clean the interior space before letting the plaster dry. Lastly, the selected glass will be placed inside of the form to be heated and melted in a kiln, which will then produce a glass object.
“Glass casting is meant to be exciting and fun for students, regardless of their level of experience or familiarity,” Rose said. “The principle of the exercise is to learn how to sculpt and create a unique mold, gaining an appreciation for the process overall.”
The workshop will enable students to create artwork in an expedient manner; objects will turn out as intended and represent a range of sizes.
“Newcomers can have a vision for what they would like to create and make it come to life,” Wright said. “The process is less intimidating than many other glass-related equivalents.”
Rose is a graduate of Stivers School for the Arts in Dayton, Ohio and Alfred University, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art and Design. She currently teaches classes on glass and ceramics at Tidewater Community College.
Wright earned an Associate’s Degree in Studio Arts with a specialization in Glass from Tidewater Community College – Portsmouth and has worked as a contract artist in hot glass and flamework at the Chrysler Museum.
“Glass Casting is a great opportunity for mixed-media crossover between Ceramics and Metals,” Rose said. “Finished objects will be easy to integrate into a variety of creations in either medium, and the field of glass working can allow students to learn flexibility and to develop a diverse skill set.”
The art form originated in Ancient Egypt more than 3,500 years ago; it is often cited as an accessible method for creating artwork that is alluring and complex in appearance.
“We have felt very welcomed at BCAT and we are thankful for the trust and freedom bestowed upon us to work with students,” Rose said. “It is truly a remarkable and inspiring place.”
