Gravity and Grace: Creating Tall and Thin Drop Glass Vessels with Larry Pile

Push your kilnforming practice into bold, sculptural territory in this intensive 4-day advanced workshop with national glass artist Larry Pile. Focusing on tall, elegant forms, students will explore the complete lifecycle of drop vessel creation—from initial concept to coldworked finish.
Through a dynamic mix of live demonstrations, hands-on studio time, and in-depth technical discussions, participants will master the “Drop Vessel Trifecta”:
Designing & Building: Constructing high-performing glass blanks engineered specifically for dramatic drops.
Execution: Executing precise, dynamic kiln drops while navigating the structural nuances between tall and thin vessels.
Refining Forms: Mastering coldworking techniques to give your completed pieces a professional, gallery-ready finish.
Advanced Mold-Making: Gaining hands-on experience with modern setup materials, including SilkeMat molds.
Along the way, you’ll deepen your understanding of glass viscosity, firing strategies, and troubleshooting to expand your personal design vocabulary. Students will complete multiple vessels during the week and leave with finished work alongside the technical confidence to pursue independent drop-vessel projects.

Best suited for intermediate to advanced glass artists with prior experience in glass fusing, mold work, and coldworking.