The glass of Altare

The experience

Altar has been glass for a thousand years and Altarese masters have founded glassworks all over the world.
Learning to work glass in a workshop of ancient Altarese tradition means becoming part of a flow of tradition, know-how and knowledge handed down from father to son, which is very difficult to find elsewhere.

In Costantino Bormioli’s workshop it is possible to observe the process and learn it directly, thanks to glass experiences and courses modulated over two or four hours, of one or more days.

The course

The course deals with the technique of blown and modeled borosilicate glass, the type of torch processing that is closest to traditional blowing in the furnace. The master demonstrates the modeling of solid glass (course of minimum two hours) and blowing (course of minimum four hours), and then combines the two techniques, applying parts of solid glass to blown objects (courses of several days).

During the course, the teacher alternates descriptive and demonstrative parts with phases in which the student is accompanied in the creation of objects independently. The theoretical part is reduced to a minimum and deals above all with the issue of safety. Then we immediately start producing the first small objects.

The aim of the course is to offer the student a complete vision of the technique, overcoming the initial difficulties with the intervention of the master and arriving at the creation of several finished objects.

The course is covered by a Royal Craftsman liability policy, from Reale Mutua Assicurazioni.
The master uses a teaching method matured over many years of courses that allows the student, always guided and assisted and therefore helped when necessary, to acquire the technique with awareness.

Who is it for?

The courses are aimed at both beginners and people who have already had experience with a glass processing technique. You don’t need to bring anything with you – we provide all the necessary material and equipment. In the case of multi-day courses, our accommodation La Casetta di Coletta is available for a possible overnight stay (by reservation). The technique that can be learned in our laboratory is the blowing and modeling of borosilicate glass (Pyrex).

Our goal is to ensure that each student is able to create one or more objects independently, objects that will then remain his property. During the course, the characteristics of the material are explained, the necessary technical equipment is illustrated, and the basic technique can be immediately taken into action.

At the end of the course, a certificate of attendance certified by the Liguria Region Master Craftsman is issued.