SiNaCa Studios School of Glass and Gallery is dedicated to providing North Texas an opportunity to experience the rich tradition of glass as a creative medium through education, studio and community involvement. Founded by several local glass artists, this new facility is available to everyone. From the beginning student to the professional, who wishes to learn new skills in glassblowing, kiln formed glass, and flame working, or to perfect their current skill level, SiNaCa offers something for everyone.
The opening of this glass facility adds another dimension to the rich cultural scene of North Texas. From joint projects working with other non-profits and teaching glass arts in youth programs to community gallery shows in the Metroplex – SiNaCa is forging a new frontier in the local arts scene. Located in the exciting Near Southside district of Fort Worth at 1013 West Magnolia Avenue, SiNaCa Studios facility is a renovated gas station and is becoming a destination for glass artists and students. The facility consists of a glass specific gallery, a glassblowing studio, a kiln forming studio, a flame working studio and a cold working studio.
ABOUT SiNaCa
For budding or experienced artists, both young and old who seek a place to learn the glass arts, SiNaCa is a non-profit school that provides community outreach programs and individual instruction to nurture curiosity for the art and science of glass making because we are passionate about sharing the enriching experience of creation.
SiNaCa Studios was founded by five local glass artists in 2007. The organization’s initial focus was threefold. First, bringing the glass art community together to hold exhibitions, promote glass as an artistic medium, and generate funds toward founding a school. Second, use the funds raised to open a facility designed to impact the community through glass arts. Third, leverage the new facility to provide accessible, educational, and affordable experiences for the general public, as well as teach courses to share the traditions and techniques of all disciplines of studio glass.
In May of 2010, an old gas station in the “Near Southside” area of Fort Worth was chosen as a perfect location and renovations began. The development of the studios for glassblowing, kiln forming, flame working and cold working and gallery space was completed and operational in late December 2010, and open to the public on January 1, 2011. Classes were offered, students enrolled, and the operations of SiNaCa Studios School of Glass and Gallery became real. Throughout the first six years of operations, the facility has received several upgrades, more programs have been added, and there are many more to come.
Since first opening our doors in January 2011, over 7,000 diverse people have participated in classes and over 30,000 have visited our studios. Our free monthly “Open Studios” event alone has drawn over 15,000 visitors through the facility to view demonstrations, interact with performing artists, and browse the onsite gallery.
Education Opportunities
Learning at SiNaCa Studios takes many forms. We offer courses for everyone ranging from a novice wanting to acquire new skills to the professional artist needing to perfect their glassmaking techniques. Although there are several private hot glass studios in the metroplex, none provide an opportunity for the general public to learn about glass or experience the creation of glass art in an educational setting. Furthermore, we are the only not-for-profit glass art studio providing philanthropic programming in collaboration with other charitable organizations within our community.
Currently, SiNaCa Studios provides a variety of in-house instruction for students in glass blowing, kiln forming, and flame working, ranging from introductory level to advanced study. Programming available to the general public varies from thirty-minute workshops to courses lasting eighteen hours over six class meetings.
SiNaCa Studios has fostered many partners in our nearly six years of operation. The following list includes several of the most prominent relationships and a description of SiNaCa Studios’ collaborative programming.
One Safe Place: providing art therapy programming to underserved youth in Fort Worth who are victims of domestic violence (org)
Project Success: providing art programs for unsheltered youth to break the cycle of homelessness by providing a creative outlet. (projectsuccessfortworth.org)
Fort Worth ISD: providing various programs to students and teachers in-class and after-school including “Glass from Afar,” “Playing with Fire,” and “Teach the Teachers”
Beads of Courage: hosting bead making events to support the organization’s care programs for children coping with serious illness and their families (org)
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History: providing programs and youth activities through their events and fairs throughout the year (fwmuseum.org)
