Washington Glass
Washington Glass operates a glass art school and production studio in Mt. Rainier, MD, delivering kiln-formed glass education, public art commissions, architectural glass, and custom awards for municipalities, healthcare institutions, and corporate clients in the Mid-Atlantic region.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersMt. Rainier, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Washington Glass does
Washington Glass operates a dual-entity model in Mt. Rainier, MD (just outside Washington, DC): Washington Glass School provides hands-on glass art education and an Artist Incubator, while Washington Glass Studio is a production studio delivering site-specific public art commissions, architectural glass installations, custom awards, and lighting solutions. The School offers classes and workshops in kiln-formed glass processes — casting, fusing, slumping, coldworking — plus cross-disciplinary work in steel, MIG welding, printmaking, and lighting, with tuitions ranging from $100 for single sessions to $975 for five-day intensive masterclasses. The Studio integrates steel fabrication, metalwork, lighting, and digital media with glass, supporting in-house production from concept through installation of large-format, mixed-media public artworks. The studio incorporates community-engaged production where local residents participate in making glass components, embedding the act of creation into the meaning of the finished artwork.
The business is co-directed by internationally recognized artists Tim Tate, Erwin Timmers, and Michael Janis — Fulbright Scholars, James Renwick Alliance Distinguished Artists, and Smithsonian American Art Museum–represented artists. Over 25 years the school has served nearly 6,000 students and completed commissions for institutions including the Library of Congress (monumental cast-glass doors for the Adams Building), National Institutes of Health (Hatfield Clinic), Vanderbilt University Medical Center (Critical Care Tower), the US Environmental Protection Agency, Prince George's County, Virginia Beach, Safeway, and the Palomar Hotel. Revenue is generated through five streams: education classes, custom experiences and events (team building, weddings, family days), public art commissions, private commissions, and custom awards/trophies. Distribution is direct-to-customer via the website (PayPal registration), with public art commissions secured through municipal arts commissions, RFP processes, and direct client relationships, and gallery representation through Maurine Littleton Gallery extending reach into art fairs.
The company is privately held, founder-owned, with no external investment or parent company. It operates from a single facility and employs seven people, with no disclosed financials. Recent years have shown expansion of public art projects beyond the DC metro area (Nashville, Arlington VA, New Orleans) and elevated brand visibility through 2026-2027 partnerships (American Craft Council Handwork 2026, Habatat International Glass Invitational, Pilchuck Glass School 2027 Guest Artist, Brentwood Arts Exchange 25th anniversary exhibition).
Washington Glass firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Washington Glass
- Legal name
- Washington Glass School
- Website
- https://washingtonglassschool.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Washington Glass operates a glass art school and production studio in Mt. Rainier, MD, delivering kiln-formed glass education, public art commissions, architectural glass, and custom awards for municipalities, healthcare institutions, and corporate clients in the Mid-Atlantic region.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Washington Glass industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Glass Art Fabrication and Education
- NAICS
- Glass Product Manufacturing Made of Purchased Glass (327215)
- SIC
- Glass Products, Made Of Purchased Glass (3231), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Glass Fabrication & Processing Services (Cutting/Edging/Drilling/Polishing) (IMADAHAI)
Keywords
Where Washington Glass is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mt. Rainier
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Washington Glass business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Education and Classes: Revenue generated from hands-on classes and workshops ranging from introductory techniques to advanced concept-driven courses. Classes include beginning and advanced fusing, plate glass techniques, cast glass sculpture, glass and steel integration, basic MIG welding, recycled glass processes, and architectural lighting. Tuition ranges from $100 to $975 depending on course duration and materials.
- Custom Experiences and Events: Revenue from team building events, private parties, wedding experiences (unity ceremonies, bachelorette activities, favors and decorations), and family days (seder plates, dishware sets, holiday platters). Group minimum is 4 people with pricing based on activity type.
- Public Art Commissions: Studio creates site-specific glass and mixed-media artworks for civic, architectural, and landscape environments. Projects include monuments, architectural glass installations, and public sculptures for municipalities, cultural institutions, healthcare facilities, and private developers.
- Awards and Trophies: Custom glass awards and trophies created for events and organizations including Bethesda Urban Partnership, Americans for the Arts, Washington Project for the Arts, National Geographic, and corporate clients.
- Private Commissions: Select private commissions where glass plays a central sculptural role, including residential developments, hotels, and corporate spaces.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Intensive Masterclasses |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Weekend Workshops |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Single Session Classes |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Open Studio Access |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Washington Glass product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Washington Glass operates as both a glass art education school and a fabrication studio under two related entities (Washington Glass School and Washington Glass Studio). The School delivers hands-on classes and workshops in kiln-formed glass techniques for individual students and hobbyists, while the Studio designs, fabricates, and installs site-specific public art, architectural glass, custom lighting, private commissions, and awards/trophies for institutional, government, healthcare, hospitality, and corporate clients.
Product overview
Washington Glass Studio operates as both a production studio and educational institution, offering a comprehensive portfolio of glass art products and services. The core offerings include public art and monument commissions, architectural glass installations, custom awards and trophies, and lighting solutions. The educational arm, Washington Glass School, provides hands-on classes and workshops in kiln-formed glass techniques, supported by an Artist Incubator program for emerging artists. Custom experience programs offer team building, private events, and wedding activities. The studio is directed by Michael Janis, Tim Tate, and Erwin Timmers, and serves as a cultural resource for the Mid-Atlantic region.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Public Art and Monument Projects Site-specific glass and mixed-media artworks for civic, architectural, and landscape environments, featuring community-engaged public art installations with cultural meaning and narrative depth. Intended for municipalities, arts commissions, cultural institutions, and public developers.
- Architectural Glass Custom architectural glass installations integrated into buildings and public spaces, including monumental doors, murals, and sculptural elements designed for civic, healthcare, and commercial buildings.
- Glass for the Home Private commissions and custom glass artwork for residential settings where glass plays a central sculptural role, including homes and private residences.
- Lighting Solutions Custom lighting installations and illuminated glass artwork for architectural and public spaces, integrating in-house lighting systems with glass components.
- Awards & Trophies Hand-crafted custom glass awards and trophies for events, organizations, and recognition ceremonies, with past clients including Bethesda Urban Partnership, Americans for the Arts, Washington Project for the Arts, National Geographic, and the Black Reel Awards.
- Glass Education and Classes Hands-on classes and workshops in kiln-formed glass practices including casting, fusing, coldworking, with cross-disciplinary exploration in steel, printmaking, lighting, and mixed media approaches. Targeted at individual artists and students from beginner to advanced levels.
- Custom Experiences Team building activities, private parties, wedding experiences (unity ceremonies, bachelorette activities, favors and decorations), and family days featuring glass-making activities. Group minimum is 4 people with age minimum of 14.
- Artist Incubator Program
Companies that use Washington Glass
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Washington Glass technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Washington Glass partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Brentwood Arts ExchangeflagshipHosting 25th anniversary exhibition from September 10 through October 31, 2026. Partnership with Prince George's County Parks and Recreation. The exchange was originally planned as anchor tenant location for Washington Glass School in 2006.
- American Craft CouncilcoreWashington Glass School participated in ACC's inaugural National Craft Open Studios Weekend, part of the Handwork 2026 initiative connecting visitors with 1,500+ craft artists across 36 states.
- FireArt Glass StudiocoreCollaboration with FireArt Glass Studio of Portland, OR for the Library of Congress Adams Building monumental doors project. The partnership combined FireArt's expertise with Washington Glass Studio's design and fabrication capabilities for this heritage architecture project.
- BlueSky DesigncoreDesign partnership for Cedar Hill Medical Center site-specific glass mural project. BlueSky Design commissioned Washington Glass Studio to create the lobby artwork for the 136-bed hospital serving DC's Ward 7 and Ward 8.
- Maurine Littleton GallerycoreGallery representation for Washington Glass School artists including Tim Tate, Michael Janis, and Allegra Marquart. Gallery has shown artists at art fairs including Palm Beach 3.
- Pilchuck Glass SchoolflagshipMichael Janis selected as Guest Artist for 2027 summer program Session 3: Bricolage. Will lead two-week workshop on Painterly Mark-Making in Kiln-Formed Glass.
- Habatat GalleriescoreOrganizers of the Habatat International Glass Invitational at Fort Wayne Museum of Art, recognized as oldest and largest annual juried exhibition of contemporary glass in the US.
- Tacoma Museum of GlassminorPartnership through Hot Shop Heroes program - a therapeutic art program for military veterans developed in collaboration with the museum.
- University of Sunderland / National Glass Centre (UK)coreInternational partnership supporting artist residencies and collaborative exhibitions. Michael Janis was Artist-in-Residence at the Institute for International Glass Research (IIRG) through Fulbright scholarship.
- Penland School of CraftscoreMichael Janis has taught at Penland School of Crafts. Partnership for advanced glass education and artist development.
- Glass Arts SocietyminorActive participation in Glass Arts Society events and programming. Studio leadership and faculty engage with the professional glass community through this organization.
- National Capital Art Glass GuildminorActive participation in regional guild activities supporting glass artists in the Washington DC metropolitan area.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Washington Glass competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Pilchuck Glass School: International glass art school offering workshops, residencies, and guest artist programs. Comparable on the education side, particularly as Washington Glass School's Michael Janis is a 2027 Pilchuck guest artist.
- Penland School of Craft: Residential craft education center offering workshops across multiple media including glass. Comparable as a craft school where Janis has taught and which shares the studio-school educational model.
- Public Glass: San Francisco nonprofit glass art center offering classes, studio rentals, and artist residencies. Comparable in combining glass education, open studio access, and community programming on a similar small-NGO scale.
- Pittsburgh Glass Center: Nonprofit glass art center providing classes, studio access, artist residencies, and exhibition programming. Comparable as a multi-revenue-stream glass education and production organization with similar community-engagement ethos.
- Pratt Fine Arts Center: Seattle-based nonprofit arts education center offering classes and studio access in glass, sculpture, and other media. Comparable as a community-focused fine arts school with similar studio-class hybrid model.
- The Crucible: Oakland-based nonprofit industrial arts education center offering classes and studio access in glass, metal, and other media. Comparable as a multidisciplinary craft school with public programs and event-driven revenue.
- Haystack Mountain School of Crafts: Liberty, Maine-based craft education center offering workshops and residencies across multiple media. Comparable in the residency/workshop education model that feeds elite craft networks.
- UrbanGlass: Brooklyn-based nonprofit glass art school and working studio offering classes, artist residencies, and fabrication services. Most directly comparable peer: combined education and production studio serving artists and commissioning clients.
Others
- Habatat Galleries: Michigan-based gallery specializing in contemporary glass art and organizer of the Habatat International Glass Invitational. Adjacent as a channel partner and exhibition platform for the same contemporary glass market.
Broad incumbents
- Corning Museum of Glass: Largest dedicated glass art institution combining museum, education, and a working hot glass studio. Comparable in combining public art, education, and exhibition programming, but at significantly larger scale with major institutional funding.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Washington Glass social profiles
Digital presenceWashington Glass financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Washington Glass leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Washington Glass funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Washington Glass M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Washington Glass
What does Washington Glass do?
Washington Glass operates as both a glass art education school and a fabrication studio under two related entities (Washington Glass School and Washington Glass Studio). The School delivers hands-on classes and workshops in kiln-formed glass techniques for individual students and hobbyists, while the Studio designs, fabricates, and installs site-specific public art, architectural glass, custom lighting, private commissions, and awards/trophies for institutional, government, healthcare, hospitality, and corporate clients.
Is Washington Glass a public or private company?
Washington Glass is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Washington Glass founded?
Washington Glass was founded in 2001. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Washington Glass based?
Washington Glass is headquartered in Mt. Rainier, United States, in the North America region.
How does Washington Glass make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Education and Classes are the primary driver. The others are custom Experiences and Events, public Art Commissions, awards and Trophies and private Commissions.
Who are Washington Glass's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Pilchuck Glass School, Penland School of Craft, Public Glass, Pittsburgh Glass Center, Pratt Fine Arts Center, The Crucible, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts and UrbanGlass. Habatat Galleries is listed as an others. Corning Museum of Glass is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Washington Glass have an API?
No public API is recorded for Washington Glass.
What industry is Washington Glass in?
Washington Glass's product category is Glass Art Fabrication and Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMADAHAI, Glass Fabrication & Processing Services (Cutting/Edging/Drilling/Polishing). Its NAICS code is 327215 and its SIC code is 3231.