Weekend Courses   

Glass blowing, a time-honored art form with roots tracing back to 27 BC in ancient Babylon, is experiencing a renaissance in recent times thanks to popular TV shows like Blown Away, which features artisans taking part in glass-blowing competitions. In a groundbreaking addition to the Enrichment Program, glass-blowing expert Jon Wade instructs this special hands-on course in borosilicate lampworking over two, three-hour sessions. This class is structured for the total beginner and no prior knowledge or experience is expected. Wade helps you develop a basic understanding of the torches and tools used to shape glass as well as some fun, artistic techniques. The course also covers the history of glass, shop safety, proper kiln usage, and creating both hollow and solid objects.

With your own torch, you complete multiple projects that include a pendant depicting a reflective space scene, a beautiful blown holiday ornament, as well as some fun surprises. Plus, learn how to add color to the clear glass using crushed pieces of colored glass called frit. You’re given a vibrant spectrum of colors of glass frit to mix and match for your project as well as silver powder for your space pendant. All torches, safety equipment and other required materials are provided courtesy of the course’s sponsors.

Author Mark Twain reportedly said, "Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough." This class invites you to belly up to the bar for a good portion of whiskey, a look at whiskey’s history, its business in Colorado and how it’s made.

“This class goes well beyond the typical distillery tour,” says bourbon steward Ryan Stoltzfus. “The Bear Creek Distillery (BCD) experience delves into whiskey’s past, it offers an in-depth tour of our production facility, and ends with a guided and generous whiskey tasting. I like to call it an elevated, in-depth educational whiskey experience.”

Stoltzfus, the course instructor, covers the following production topics: grain selection, mashing, fermentation, distillation and the science behind barrel maturation. During the tasting, you’re given a flight that includes all of BCD’s expressions as well as a limited release expression that’s no longer available to the public. The limited release could be one of the company’s beer or wine barrel finishes or perhaps one of its inline whiskies with more age. Plus, enjoy a light charcuterie as you learn about the sensory techniques used when tasting.