Waterfall Arts Glassworks

Waterfall Arts Glassworks is the only full-time, community-based, public-access glassblowing studio of its kind in Maine.

Founded by glass artists David Jacobson and Carmi Katsir in 2020, Waterfall Arts Glassworks opens the wonderful world of hot glass to the public. The studio accommodates participants of all skill levels, from first-timers to experienced glassblowers. Waterfall Arts is proud to note that the studio is one of the few in the United States that is powered by electricity and waste vegetable oil rather than fossil fuels.

Waterfall Arts Glassworks is supported through generous donations, including a contribution by the Kao family in memory of William Kao, honoring his lifelong fascination with glass arts and crafts, as well as the great joy he found in learning to blow glass. It is the family’s hope that the students of Waterfall Arts Glassworks will discover a similar joy.

Our Glass Experiences accommodates participants of all skill levels, from first-timers to experienced glassblowers.

Over the course of just one hour, the instructor will assist you one-on-one in making a glass tumbler, vase or other decorative item. You’ll roll the glass in the color(s) of your choice, blow into the pipe, help shape your piece, and walk away with your own, one-of-a-kind creation.

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You can easily share the experience with others by booking multiple hours – the instructor will cover the basic procedures and safety information with the whole group, then assist each person with their creation. Plan a memorable class with friends, a corporate event, or a date day with your sweetheart.

Your completed piece will be available to pick up the following day because it needs to cool down overnight in the oven to prevent cracking. If you are unable to pick up your completed piece, we can ship it to you for a small fee.

Your safety is our top priority. Prior to starting class, instructors will give a full explanation and tour of the studio equipment and how it functions. Safety glasses will be provided to students.

Please be on-time for your scheduled appointment. Tardiness will impact the rest of the glassblowing studio schedule, and if you are any later than 15 minutes, we cannot refund your money, or guarantee the ability produce a piece in the allotted time.

Glass appointments MUST be cancelled 48 hours prior to the appointment time to receive a refund.

Welcome to the transformative world of glassblowing.

At Waterfall Arts Glassworks, you will be safely guided through the thrill of working with molten glass, as instructors help you create a unique work of art, from start to finish.

Upcoming Glassblowing Classes:

This 8-week, fun-filled glassblowing class will introduce you to working with molten glass. Learn to make basic forms including paperweights, cups, vases, and bowls. Explore color techniques to enrich each of your creations. Students may take this class more than once to continue to develop their skills.

Prerequisite: No experience necessary.

Tuesday Evening 6:30-8:30pm
Class dates: 6/24-8/12

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Tuesday Afternoon 3:00-5:00pm
Class dates: 6/26-8/14

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In this class, students further improve and refine their glassblowing skills. During each offering, your toolbox of techniques will expand through guided instruction of specific skills. This session, we will explore colorful body wraps, raking patterns, and adding handles and spouts for crafting functional wares, including mugs and pitchers, with decorative embellishments.

Prerequisite: Beginner Glassblowing required.

Tuesday Afternoon 3:00 – 6:00pm
Class dates: 6/24-8/12

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Thursday Evening 5:30-8:30pm
Class dates: 6/26 – 8/14

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Have fun working with different types of glass in this 3 and ½ hour workshop! Each student will cut and shape their glass using both hand tools and bit grinders. This class can include many small fiddly bits and is recommended for someone with basic glass cutting experience. Your unique mandala hanging will be fired in a kiln, creating a textured work of art to hang. Your beautiful creation will be available for pick-up the week following the class.

Ages 10 and up.

About the instructor: Sharon Warren is a glass artist with an engineering background. She has had the opportunity to show her work and teach internationally as part of a US Navy family. Her glass journey started in 2008 with glass blowing classes at Tidewater Community College in Portsmouth, Virginia. In 2010, her focus shifted to fused glass. While living overseas, she had the incredible opportunity to take the Orsoni Master in Mosaic class in Venice, Italy. After her family retired from the military, they settled in Belfast to be near family.

Sharon says, “Glass is a tool to bring my artistic visions, precious moments, and scientific experiments together in a way they can be shared with others. Everyone wants to find a way to leave their mark on the world, and for me, I find this through my glasswork.”

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are sneakers okay? Yes.

Are shorts okay? Yes.

Is there an age requirement? Yes, the minimum age is 11 years old.

How physical is the activity – can I participate with a bad back? The instructors can do as much of the work as necessary to make the process low-impact.

If you are interested in learning more about fused glass, please see our listings for workshops with artist Sharon Warren. Her upcoming classes can be found here.

If you are interested in learning more about torchworking or kilnforming, experiences, please contact our friends at Mainely Gallery.

The studio accommodates participants of all skill levels, from first-timers to experienced glassblowers.

Waterfall Arts Glassworks transformed the former “Fallout Shelter” in the building’s basement into a 1,000-square-foot studio. David Jacobson and Carmi Katsir, along with community volunteers, renovated the interior space in late December 2020.

Waterfall Arts hosts individual experiences, one-day and weekend workshops, and ongoing classes. Public demonstrations from visiting artists around the country are featured in the diverse programming.

We are excited to note that the studio is powered by electricity and waste vegetable oil rather than fossil fuels. The biofuel is gathered from local restaurants and businesses, establishing new partnerships within Belfast’s vibrant community.

In 2023, we were invited to talk at the Glass Arts Society annual conference, with an excerpt of that talk published in the Glass Art Society’s journal. Learn more here.

About the Hot Shop

Two workstations with torches and compressed air
100lb Canned Heat Furnace
12″ Veggie Powered Reheating Furnace
9″ Veggie Powered Reheating Furnace
41″x22″x11″ Annealer
21″x21″x21″ Annealer
24″x22″x11″ Annealer
Full range of hand tools, pipes, and punties

Cold Working Equipment

14″ Wet Saw
18″Flatlap Grinder
12″ Flatlap Grander
Lathe with 4″ grinding wheels
Vertical Wet Belt Sander

About the Team

David’s Portfolio

David Jacobson

David Jacobson is a glass artist in mid-coast Maine, creating contemporary designs in the Venetian tradition.

Carmi’s Portfolio

Carmi Katsir

Carmi Katsir is a glass artist located in remote woods of mid-coast Maine.

Brian’s Portfolio

Brian Frus

Brian Frus is an artist, designer, educator, tech, and gallerist who has specialized with glass for over 25 years. He enjoys projects creating custom and unique interior design, lighting, public art, awards, and sculpture. Professor Frus retired from academia in 2021 to become a Maine based artist and gallery owner, where he continues to create and educate about glass art.

Brier Rose’s Portfolio

Brier-Rose Werner

Brier-Rose Werner is a self-taught torch work artist who specializes in botanical jewelry. She has been blowing glass for 10 years.

“Jess was an amazing teacher who made learning fun. Her expertise and support helped us develop a strong foundation. We highly recommend taking her class. Thanks for making our vacation special!”
– Sacha, VA, USA

Jessica See

Jessica received her BS in glass art from Illinois State University, and continued on to teach and work in glass studios in North Carolina and Oklahoma. Having fallen in love with the dichotomy of fluid molten glass and rigid cold glass, her work consists mostly of soft sculptural forms with a playful and often cartoony twist.

Studio Rental

NEW FOR 2025: Group Rental Sessions with Glassblowing Artist David Jacobson. These non-instructional practice sessions with a studio monitor present for students who have completed Beginning Glass 2 or above at Waterfall Arts only. If you have prior glassblowing experience, please book an orientation to meet with glassblowing staff to assess ability and preparedness for group rental sessions.

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Solo Glassworks Studio Rentals in the hot shop are booked in two hour increments. The cost is $35/hr for each workstation.

Renters must be approved by the studio founders and undergo a safety orientation.

All rentals MUST be cancelled 48 hours prior to the appointment time to receive a refund.

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Rentals include:

10 pounds per hour clear glass (Ocean Side 96)
One reheating Chamber – 9″ or 12″ Please specify if you have a preference.
Shared annealer space with basic overnight annealing schedule. Please email if you require longer annealing times or dedicated space.
Use of fluffy and hot torches
Basic Shop tools – Blowpipes and punties, jacks, shears, tweezers, soffietas, blocks, paddles
Access to coldworking equipment to finish work made at WFA outside of your hot shop rental time.

Rentals do not include:

Color
Instruction

Release of Liability

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Waterfall Arts Glassworks in the News

Republican Journal – Glass artist gives talk, studio demonstration at Waterfall Arts
Maine Arts Ed Blog / Argy Nestor – Glassblowing in Belfast
NewsCenterMaine / 207 – Glassblowing heats up in a new studio at Waterfall Arts
Republican Journal – High school works with Waterfall arts to offer glassblowing class
WMTW News 8 Portland – Belfast’s Waterfall Arts opens Maine first community glassblowing studio (Video)
Bangor Daily News – This Belfast glassblowing studio runs on recycled doughnut fryer oil
Portland Press Herald
Kennebec Journal – New art glassblowing studio to open in June in Belfast
WABI-TV5 – Glassblowing artist looks to open a new studio with Waterfall Arts in Belfast (Video)