Pencil to Punti: Your Design Becomes Reality (5-day Intensive with Josh Raiffe)
Pencil to Punti: Your Design Becomes Reality (5-day Intensive with Josh Raiffe)
Great glass begins long before the furnace. This 5-day studio intensive with Josh Raiffe invites intermediate hot shop artists to move intentionally from idea to object, strengthening both design thinking and making skills along the way.
Throughout the week, students will develop personal concepts, sketch and refine designs, and translate those plans into finished blown work. Each day begins with discussion, planning, and visual problem-solving, followed by guided demonstrations and extended studio time focused on executing your designs in hot glass. Emphasis will be placed on decision-making, efficient workflow, and adapting your process as the material responds.
This is a design-and-make course built for artists ready to move beyond exercises and begin shaping a stronger personal direction in the hot shop. Expect thoughtful critique, technical coaching, and plenty of hands-on time turning drawings into real objects.
By the end of the course, students will have strengthened their ability to:
-Develop workable glass forms from sketches and concepts
-Plan builds with appropriate gathers, timing, and team communication
-Translate 2D designs into balanced three-dimensional objects
-Adjust designs in real time while working hot
-Build confidence executing self-directed pieces in the studio
Come prepared to experiment, solve problems, and push your ideas forward. The goal is not just what you bring home, but the design habits and studio strategies you’ll carry into every future project.
Experience required: 1–2 years of hot shop glassblowing (or equivalent intermediate experience)
Workshop Dates: Monday, April 20 – Friday, April 24, 2026 (5 days in studio)
Housing available: Beginning Sunday, April 19. Checkout by Saturday, April 25 at 11am.
Cost: $1,100 per student + housing
Only 9 spots are available in total.
No refunds for cancellations within 40 days of the workshop.
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Students may arrange their stay at Starworks onsite artist housing for the duration of the workshop. Starworks charming campus, well-equipped studios, and shared eating & living spaces create a community atmosphere conducive to creativity and collaboration.
Room options available:
Option A: Larger Private Bedroom with Private Bath (6 nights) - $1,170 (2 available)
Option B: Smaller Private Bedroom with Private Bath (6 nights) - $900 (2 available)
Option C: Private Bedroom with Shared Bath (6 nights) - $702 (5 available)
For local artists, limited commuter spots are available (no housing provided) - see “Option D”
Additional details on housing are available at the bottom of this page.
Please direct any questions to contact@starworksnc.org or call 910-428-9001
Additional Onsite Housing Details:
Option A: 150 sq ft room with private bathroom and shared kitchen
Option B: 115 sq ft room with private bathroom and shared kitchen
Option C: 130 sq ft room with shared bathroom and shared kitchen
Prices include utilities & wifi. No pets are allowed.
All bedrooms rooms have a bed, night shelf, bedside lamp, and clothes rod/shelf. Linens and towels are provided.
The shared kitchen is equipped with refrigerator, electric stove/oven, microwave, dishwasher, and coffee maker. There are silverware, plates, mugs, glasses, pots and pans, etc.
There is a shared kitchen and living area. Entire building equipped with AC & heat.
En Suite bathrooms have shower, sink, and toilet. For shared bathrooms, all on 2nd floor, there are two shower rooms and two sink & toilet rooms.
Registrants are welcome to arrive and check in to their housing as early as April 19. Check-out will be by 11am April 25.
Discounts and refunds are not available to students who arrive late or depart early from their housing accommodation.
Option A is ADA accessible. If you require ADA accessible housing, please select Option A for your housing accomodations.
A limited number of commuter registrations are available and are likely to sell out fast. If you are local and will not require onsite housing - please contact us directly (contact@starworksnc.org or 910-428-9001)