WORKSHOPS

She Bends Teaching studio

Explore Workshops

She Bends is a working artist studio, sign shop, and teaching studio in San Francisco dedicated to keeping the craft of neon alive and accessible. We offer one-on-one workshops, extended study, group classes, studio events, and live glass-bending demonstrations—all grounded in hands-on learning and respect for this 120-year-old, fire-based craft. Our workshops are designed for absolute beginners, emerging artists, designers, and anyone curious about how neon is made. Students learn directly in the fires using professional tools and materials, guided by working artists who bend their own glass.

WORKSHOP DIRECTORY

WORKSHOP DIRECTORY

We’ve searched the world for workshops for you and you can find our comprehensive list below. If you are a teacher and you don’t see your name included, please reach out and tell us about your classes! Have a great time learning neon!

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY

  • Offers three different classes varying in skill set from one day to 8 weeks.

    Website

  • Brooklyn - variety of offerings from bending to packing glass, offered on specific days.

    Website

  • Nutley New Jersey - “The Neon Weekend” held the last weekend of every month, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

North Carolina

  • Glas, Raleigh - A variety of classes to choose from offered on specific dates.

CALIFORNIA

  • Museum of Neon Art, Glendale (LA) - offering a variety of classes from single day courses offered on Saturdays to longer courses over 8 week periods. Group classes. The Museum also features exhibitions you can visit as well as a gift shop with books for further learning. They sometimes feature guest artists.

  • Meryl Pataky, San Francisco - Founder of She Bends offers multiple private classes out of her SF studio from single day introduction classes to 4 day immersive classes for project focused students.

  • The Crucible, Oakland - Offering one course, Neon 1, limited dates. 18 total hours.

WASHINGTON

  • Pilchuck Glass School, Standwood (50 miles north of Seattle) - They offer a variety of programs in glass. Summer and Fall sessions, Artists in Residence etc. Learn from experienced professionals pushing the boundaries of glass as an artistic medium. Scholarship and financial assistance available. Deadline for 2022 Summer and Fall programs is February 1st ‘22.

  • Western Neon, Seattle - Specific dates and classes offered.

  • Radiant Neon, Seattle - Offers a couple of classes for varying skill levels on specific dates.

THE UK

  • Neon School, Brighton - “Whether you are an expert requiring a masterclass or an absolute beginner looking for an unforgettable weekend you have come to the right place. Tuition is one to one and all students leave with a working piece of neon art that they have made”. Class offerings range from single day to weekend courses.

  • Neon Workshops, Yorkshire - “Since 2010 Neon Workshops has been making and installing neon, teaching and preaching neon, exhibiting and publishing Neon”. Specific date offerings + a mobile neon course that brings their lessons to many different areas.

  • God’s Own Junkyard, London - “ Transcribe an idea into a neon drawing, and learn how to fill the glass forms with gas to make energy saving, 100% recyclable light. This is a beginner’s day course into the art that is neon. No previous experience is necessary” Specific date offerings. *It is unclear whether you learn how to bend the work yourself.