Step inside the hot shop at FOCI Minnesota Center for Glass Arts and you’re immediately struck by the heat, the movement of makers, artists and students, and the transformation of material to artful objects.
Glass melts at 2400 degrees. At Foci MCGA, it waits, in its molten state in two furnaces (that never turn off) glowing orange. When artists are ready, they open the furnace doors and gather the material from the furnace with a pipe that is then cooled and brought over to the work bench. Here is where the artist, working with a team, begins to shape and sculpt it into… a vase, a cup, an sculpture, a paperweight, a light fixture, a goblet, and more.
Watching glass arts professionals at work is mesmerizing.
“My class at Foci MCGA provided me with community, joy, a creative space, something to look forward to – a physical item that represents my creativity and ability to be resilient through learning a new skill.”
-Foci MCGA 2025 scholarship recipient
Glassblowing is rooted in community. In the hotshop professional artists work alongside students. Artistic skills are developed as well as creative decision making, resiliency and perseverance, collaboration and teamwork skills.
Artists say it is a team sport. Most items are made by at least two people, embedding continuous learning, informal mentorship, and collaboration into the process.
Demonstration, either public or for other artists, is a part of the culture and process. Glass artists make, gather, and connect in the hotshop. Foci MCGA’s mission has always highlighted this community aspect of glass.
That’s the real work of Foci MCGA.
Founded in 2009, FOCI is Minnesota’s only public-access glass arts center. It’s a place where beginners, professional artists, and curious community members can come together to explore the creative potential of glass. Their mission is to gather people to explore the creative potential of glass. And every class, demonstration, and conversation in their space brings that mission to life.
A Creative Anchor in the Community
When the Focus Arts building in Minneapolis’ Seward neighborhood was just an idea, Foci MCGA was one of the organizations that helped make it real.
As an anchor tenant, they didn’t just move into the space; they helped define it. Their presence brought energy, visibility, and a steady stream of artists and learners through the doors. Today, that same energy continues to sustain the building as a hub for creativity and connection.
Foci MCGA shows what’s possible when artists are treated as essential to the life of a neighborhood.
Bringing Glass to the People
For years, FOCI has extended that sense of connection far beyond its walls through its Mobile Hot Shop, a traveling glassblowing studio that brings live demonstrations directly into the community.
At events across the Twin Cities, from neighborhood gatherings to large-scale celebrations, the Mobile Hot Shop has created moments of wonder for thousands of people. It’s often the first time someone has seen glass being shaped in real time, sparking curiosity, creativity, and a sense of possibility.
For many, it’s also their first connection to FOCI.
But in June 2025, that connection was disrupted when the Mobile Hot Shop was stolen. The loss wasn’t just equipment. It was a vital tool for outreach, education, and community engagement.
A Community Response
What happened next is a testament to the kind of community FOCI has helped build.
Artists, neighbors, and partners stepped forward to support the rebuilding of the Mobile Hot Shop because they understood what it represented. At Redesign, we were proud to be part of that effort, helping to ensure that this important community asset could return stronger than before.
Because this isn’t only about glass.
It’s about access. It’s about visibility. It’s about creating spaces where people can see themselves reflected in art and in each other.
Why It Matters
FOCI is a place where people gather to learn new skills, share ideas, and experience something transformative together. It’s a space where artists can grow their craft, where neighbors can connect, and where creativity becomes a shared language.
And when organizations like FOCI thrive, the entire community benefits.
More access. More connection. More opportunity.
Come See It for Yourself
Whether you’re taking your first class, stopping by a demonstration, or seeing the Mobile Hot Shop in action at a community event, FOCI offers a chance to experience something truly unique; to witness transformation both in glass, and in community.
