#buildthecollective

Capital Glass Collective
The Capital Glass Collective began as a vision to provide a different course structure to teach glassblowing to glass enthusiasts in Ottawa. Since that early conception, the idea of the Collective has become to create a hub to bring new and accomplished glass artists together in one place.  As glass artists and enthusiasts, we simply want to share the excitement and joy that we get out of blowing glass with you.

In keeping with its desire to build community through glass, the Collective has partnered with the Odawa Native Friendship Centre to provide a pioneering program to help youth at risk called “Youth Expressions in Glass”.   We will teach youth between the ages of 13-18 glass casting, and the older youth aged 18-30 how to blow glass. Our goal is to give them the tools they need to create glass art that expresses who they are and tells their personal stories while teaching them creative and practical life skills that they can take with them moving forward in their lives.


Since finding our space at the bustling City Centre, we have had such amazing support from the community. Whether through offering to teach and donate blow pipes and hand tools, to contributing time and sweat clearing the 3,200 sq feet of space full of tools, materials, motors and a lot of dirt and grime, to helping with finishing walls, painting, setting up the electrical capacity for our needs, to joining the board of directors, we have managed to keep moving in a positive direction. Here are a couple of pictures of the space when we first got posession of it. Messy, messy, messy!



With all of this wonderful help, we have made huge strides!

Now comes the tough part. We are ready to get the infrastructure set up. Mainly we need to get our equipment! Things like a glass furnace, a set of annealers among other things are kind of necessary  to blow glass!

This is where your financial contribution can help us move closer to our goal of opening as soon as possible . 

We need $50,000 to purchase the equipment, set up good ventillation and replace the old energy sucking lighting for more efficient LED lighting and...and to sponsor the youth at risk program.

Please don't hesitate any longer.  Help build the Collective and make a financial contribution.  No amount is too small.  If we pull together, it will all add up.  Once you've contributed, consider sharing this with your family and friends and encourage them to do the same.

Ottawa is ready and waiting for this.  Let's build the Capital Glass Collective together! 

Thank you so much.  Your financial support is invaluable. We will reward your generosity  with a personally dedicated handmade glass tile engraved with your name, that will be incorporated into a sculptural mobile dedicated to all of our supporters. This mobile will hang in the studio from the rafters on permanent display as part of our decor.

In exchange for supporting us, you become an integral part of the Collective... forever.