Irvine's Scottish Maritime Museum offers Glassblowing Experience this summer

The Scottish Maritime Museum is inviting everyone to try their hand at creating beautiful flameworked glass art at a brand new, summer-long Glassblowing Experience.

The Experience, which has been developed by the Museum in partnership with Robert McLeod, Fellow of The British Society of Scientific Glassblowers (BSSG), started this month.

The workshops, which follow on from a popular exhibition on ships in glass bottles and a series of glassblowing demonstrations by Robert, will run at the museum on Irvine Harbourside from 2pm to 4pm every Wednesday and from 10am to 12 noon every Saturday.

Participants will enjoy the thrill of discovering new skills as they work with a flaming torch and shape molten glass into ornamental glass pieces to take home. Projects will include bead making, pendants, marbles or a solid sculpture.

They will also hear about the endangered craft of flameworking, which is sometimes called scientific glassblowing. The workshops are suitable for adults, 18 years and over, and for beginners through to those with previous experience.

Eva Bukowska, Exhibitions and Events Officer at the Scottish Maritime Museum, said: "We’re thrilled to partner with our long-standing friend Robert McLeod to create our brand-new Glassblowing Experience. We hosted an exhibition of 150 vintage glass ships in bottles in 2022 and the exhibition and the glassblowing demonstrations which Robert has given since then have been hugely popular with our visitors.

"With such a lot of interest shown, we wanted to go a step further and create a workshop where everyone could try this beautiful but endangered craft for themselves.

"Flameworking is mesmerising to watch and even more magical to experience for yourself. We’re hoping everyone will love stimulating their brain trying out new skills and techniques and enjoy unlocking their creativity. Who knows, for some, the experience might ignite an exciting new passion or hobby!

"With two places available on each two hour Glassblowing Experience, those who would like to take part should book their space soon.”

Robert said: "For centuries, glass has been central to science and the art of glassblowing has facilitated many of the most important innovations in science. For many years, scientists have depended on skilled glassblowers who can take their ideas and turn them into bespoke complex and functional laboratory equipment, and they continue to rely on them today.

"Unfortunately, today scientific glassblowing is an endangered profession. According to the Heritage Crafts Association, there are fewer than 100 scientific glassblowers currently employed in the UK. The workshops are a perfect opportunity to experience this wonderful craft."

There are two places on each Glassblowing Experience to ensure safety and the quality of experience for participants. The Experience costs £30 per person for two people booking together (session total £60) or £50 for a single participant.

Places can be booked at the Scottish Maritime Museum website or by contacting Eva or Claire at eva@scotmaritime.org.uk and claire@scotmaritime.uk or telephoning 01294 278283.

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