Michael Mangiafico Flamework Workshop

Michael Mangiafico works thru the detailed steps to create incredibly articulated lampworked sculpture.

Michael Mangiafico (aka 'Fig') has been working thru an awesome workshop at the Washington Glass School this weekend, taking students on a journey thru the insect world, working with them to make glass bugs.

Fig shows how to do an ant right.

Soon glass ants are everywhere!

And they became unintentionally irradiated and thus become THEM!

Inspired By Nature - Glass BUGS!

Glass Insects by Michael Mangiafico

Michael (Fig) Mangiafico graduated with a BFA in glass art from Carnegie Mellon University in 1985. He has been teaching torchworking and glass blowing for over 20 years. He owns and operates his own glass studio in Pittsburgh, PA and has exhibited and taught across the US. Fug is member of the Glass Art Society, The International Society of Glass Beadmakers, and The Pittsburgh Craftmen’s Guild. His work is available in galleries nationwide and has been featured in numerous art magazines and publications - his glass insects are some of the finest examples of lampwork worldwide.

Fig will be one of the superstar lampworkers that will be teaching in the new lampworking program this fall at the Washington Glass School. The weekend class will be held October 9 & 10.

Inspired by nature, Fig will cover covers techniques for sculpting various insects from torchworked glass - both literal renderings of insects and more abstract interpretations.

Students will learn to work with soft glass while observing nature. Students will explore heat control, cane pulling and the basics of soft glass sculpting.

Michael Mangiafico working a demo during the recent ISGB conference in Rochester, NY.

For more information on the upcoming lampworking class click HERE.

Click HERE to jump to Fig’s website.