Calling all curious and creative folks! Local Glass Studio, a 4,300 square foot creative space located in Glen Ellyn, invites the community to experience the joy of glass art. Established by Brenda Bickett in 2023, Local Glass Studio specializes in glass art education and experiences, offering classes, memberships, private events, retail and gallery space. 

Founder and owner Brenda Bickett attended The Glassmaking Institute at the Corning Museum of Glass, a world-renowned authority in glass education. Here, Bickett’s dream to build a haven for artists of all levels was born. Upon moving to Glen Ellyn, Bickett was determined to build a space where beginner glass artists and professionals alike could feel at home. Her dream was realized when Local Glass Studio opened its doors in June of 2023. 

In 2024, photographer Jen Rosiere first encountered the studio when she picked up her daughter from a birthday party that was held there. Intrigued, Rosiere soon returned to the studio to try her hand at glass art with a couple of introductory classes. Not only was Rosiere hooked by the new medium, but she and Bickett hit it off. In 2025, Rosiere bought a membership, and one night, while editing some of her concert photography, Bickett offered to show Rosiere how to fuse her photography into glass. The end result was edgy and unique and ultimately the catalyst for Rosiere to join Bickett in 2026 as a Creative and Business Partner of Local Glass Studio.

“This was not on my Bingo card. It wasn't even a figment of my imagination,” says Rosiere when reflecting on her professional pivot into the world of glass. She elaborates that “It's been a really cool way to bring my music photography into a three-dimensional space and play with light to bring it to life.” 

This kind of surprise, delight, and creation is exactly what Local Glass Studio hopes to provide for its patrons. That spirit of discovery is reflected in the studio’s wide range of classes. With classes for kids, teens, adults, and seniors– for the novice to the professional– there is an onramp to glass art for all. 

Starting from ages 8-10, pupils can take three-week sessions to learn the fundamentals of fused glass in hands-on introductory classes. For kids 10 and up, there are even more options: fused glass classes, mosaic classes, and resin classes. With fun summer themed projects, like “Popsicle Resin Art” and “Bloom Boldly: Resin Flower Art,” kids are sure to get excited for these multi-week workshops. The skills level up in classes for tweens and teens, with kiln-forming basics and flameworking, in addition to fusing glass and mosaics. 

Adults and seniors can take classes at Local Glass Studio too—such as “Stained Glass Jewelry,” “Flags of Our Families: Stained Glass,” and “Whimsy in the Garden: Lampworking.” To see a full list of the more than fifty classes offered, you can visit their website at localglassstudio.com

A highly anticipated offering coming this summer is the Make-Your-Own-Mahjong-Set workshop. Participants can lean into the Mahjong craze and create their own custom Mahjong tiles, choosing from three different types of characters: sepia, black, or watercolor illustration. Pupils will learn how to stack layers of glass and polish the tiles using a diamond-dust infused grinding wheel. These durable and beautiful glass tiles are “Trendy, social, and wildly satisfying–perfect for game nights, gifting, and serious bragging rights.” Groups are welcome to host their own mahjong night at Local Glass Studio every second Friday of the month.

Beyond glass making classes, Local Glass Studio hosts an open house every third Friday of the month where local artists showcase and sell their work. Light bites, drinks, and glasswork demos are also part of the monthly open studio. 

Studio memberships are available as well. There are four different membership packages, each offering slightly different perks. No matter how people find themselves at the studio, they will enter into a vibrant space and supportive community of artists. Rosiere describes watching patrons enter the space: “People come in and their eyes get really big. They see colored glass, and they get transfixed. Inspiration strikes and then we just gently guide people to create something that didn’t exist before.”

Local Glass Studio passionately stewards creativity and curiosity. Whether it’s a kid’s birthday party, a baby shower, a corporate event, or working in partnership with independent living centers, Local Glass Studio takes pride in nurturing imagination and learning. They embrace glass art as something that can be a fun one-time experience, a team-building tool, a serious hobby, or even a form of therapy. Local Glass Studio is committed to building community and providing a safe and supportive place for exploration. One of the best parts is that you get to take a piece of Local Glass Studio with you when you go. 

Rosiere beams when she says, “Seeing the expression when students pick up their original piece is so fun. It’s like Christmas morning –there’s nothing better.”