Glass Art Events: Live Demonstrations, Workshops, and Exhibitions

Watch Glass Art Happen in Real Time

Cottonmouth Dispensary's in-house flameworking studio hosts regular demonstrations, guest artist sessions, and exhibition events that bring the art of glassmaking to an audience that would otherwise never see it. Most people have never watched a rod of borosilicate glass transform into a finished work of art under an open flame. They've held a pipe, admired a marble, maybe collected a few pieces, but never seen the process. At Cottonmouth, that changes.

Every event is free. Every event is open to anyone 21 and older with valid ID. You don't need to buy cannabis. You don't need to make a reservation for daily demos. You just need to show up and watch.

Daily Live Demonstrations

Every afternoon, the Cottonmouth glass studio comes alive with live flameworking demonstrations. Our resident artists set up at the torch and work through the creation of a piece from start to finish while visitors watch from a safe, comfortable viewing area on the dispensary floor.

Demonstrations typically run 1 to 3 hours and cover a range of techniques depending on the artist and the piece being made. You might see a spoon pipe pulled and shaped from a single rod of borosilicate, or a complex rig assembled from multiple sections with intricate color work. Artists narrate their process, explain what they're doing, and answer questions as they work.

Daily demos are free, require no reservation, and happen rain or shine. The studio is climate-controlled and the viewing area is inside the dispensary. Check our Instagram or call for specific times, as schedules vary by artist availability.

What You'll See

• Raw glass rod heated to working temperature in an oxygen-propane flame
• Shaping techniques: pulling, blowing, gravity work, and sculpting
• Color application: layering, fuming with silver and gold, pattern work
• Assembly of multi-component pieces (bowls, downstems, joints)
• Finished pieces placed in the kiln for annealing

Guest Artist Sessions

In addition to our resident artists, Cottonmouth regularly hosts guest flameworkers who bring their own styles, techniques, and perspectives to the studio. Guest artist sessions are special events where a visiting artist spends one or more days working in the Cottonmouth studio, often producing limited-run pieces that are only available during or shortly after the session.

Guest artists are selected for the diversity they bring to the studio. You might see a sculptor who specializes in anatomically detailed animal figures, a color technician known for complex reversals and wig-wag patterns, or a production artist who can pull 50 perfect spoons in a single session. Each guest brings something different, and the pieces they produce become part of the Cottonmouth collection.

Why Guest Sessions Matter

• Different styles: Every artist has a signature approach to the torch. Guest sessions expose our audience to techniques and aesthetics they wouldn't otherwise see.
• Limited-run pieces: Work produced during guest sessions is often exclusive to Cottonmouth. Once it's gone, it's gone.
• Community building: Guest sessions connect the broader glass art community with our local audience, creating relationships between artists and collectors.

Guest artist sessions are announced on our Instagram page and through the Cottonmouth Club. Follow us to stay informed about upcoming visits.

Workshops in Development

We're building out a workshop program that will give participants the opportunity to get hands-on experience with glass. While the program is still in development, here's what we're planning:

Intro to Flameworking

A beginner-friendly session where participants learn basic torch safety, how to heat and manipulate glass rod, and create a simple piece (pendant or marble) to take home. No experience required. All safety equipment and materials provided.

Technique-Specific Workshops

For participants with some experience, these sessions focus on a specific technique: fuming, color application, wig-wag construction, sculpting, or coldworking. Led by our resident artists, each workshop covers a single skill set and gives participants extended torch time to practice.

Glass Appreciation Sessions

Not everyone wants to make glass. Some people want to understand it. Glass appreciation sessions are classroom-style events where we cover the history of flameworking, how to evaluate quality in functional glass, what makes a piece collectible, and how to care for your glass. These sessions include demonstrations but are focused on education rather than hands-on work.

Workshop details, pricing, and registration will be announced as the program launches. Join the Cottonmouth Club to get early access to registration.

Exhibition Events

Several times a year, Cottonmouth hosts exhibition events that showcase curated collections of glass art. These events transform the dispensary into a gallery space where artists present new work, themed collections, or collaborative projects.

New Collection Drops

When a resident or guest artist completes a significant body of work, we host a collection drop event. The artist presents their new pieces, explains the inspiration and techniques behind the work, and makes the collection available for purchase. These events often include live demonstrations and the chance to meet the artist in person.

Themed Work Exhibitions

Themed exhibitions bring together work from multiple artists around a central concept: seasonal themes, color palettes, specific techniques, or functional categories. These events are curated to show the breadth of what's possible in flameworked glass.

Trunk Shows

Trunk shows are pop-up retail events where an artist brings their personal collection to Cottonmouth for a limited time. This includes pieces that may not be part of our regular inventory, one-of-a-kind works, and pieces at various price points. Trunk shows are typically weekend events and are announced in advance on social media.

How to Stay Informed

Event schedules at Cottonmouth are dynamic. Resident artist schedules shift, guest visits are confirmed on a rolling basis, and exhibition events are announced as they come together. Here are the best ways to stay in the loop:

• Instagram: Follow @getcottonmouth for real-time updates, stories from the studio, and event announcements.
• Cottonmouth Club: Our loyalty program includes early access to event information and workshop registration.
• In-store: Ask any budtender or staff member about upcoming events. They always know what's on the calendar.
• Phone: Call us at (856) 312-3877 for event details and scheduling information.

Event Details and Logistics