American Scientific Glassblowers Annual Symposium

2026 Virtual Symposium Registration at the bottom of the page

Don’t miss out – early bird pricing ends June 1!

The Art Auction is ready for donations of your original art, supplies, equipment, and materials. Click here for how to donate.

This year: no plane tickets, hotel rooms or expensive time off work. 

Wed June 17th through Friday June 19th are evening programs so everyone can participate without the need to take time off work.

Tentative schedule is:

Wed June 17th 7-9:30 East Coast time SEMINARS

  • Chris Bock (Seacube Glass)  demonstrating techniques taught at the Joe Gregar Junior Member workshop followed by Q&A
  • Kyle Meyer (Proctor and Gamble) demonstrating how to build a double coil distillation head as an example of an Allan Brown Regular member workshop piece followed by Q&A
  • Dr. Illia Guzi (UW Madison) presents on how to shoot outstanding photos of glassware.
  • Glass Happy Hour, a time to move into break out rooms to discuss tips and tricks, or tools and torches, your favorite glass project, or meet a sponsor
  • Formal programming is followed by break out rooms for Glass Happy Hour: grab a beverage of your choosing and meet other glassblowers. Share your favorite project, discuss tips and techniques, discuss tools and torches, meet a sponsor 

Thu June 18th 7-9:30 East Coast time TECHNICAL PAPERS AND SHOP TOURS

  • Tracy Dryer (UW Madison) presents Construction and use of a Cabezon Distillation Head with takeoff (an alternative to a traditional Oldershaw column) 
  • Dr. Claude Woods (UW Madison) discusses his high vacuum system and Plasma chamber for Astrochemistry research 
  • Michael D’Aquisto (MIllipore) provides a Tour of the Millipore Glass Shop
  • Presenter from Pope Scientific on fractional and wiped film distillation
  • Formal programming is followed by break out rooms for Glass Happy Hour: grab a beverage of your choosing and meet other glassblowers. Share your favorite project, discuss tips and techniques, discuss tools and torches, meet a sponsor

Fri June 18th 7-9:30 East Coast time TECHNICAL DEMONSTRATIONS

  • Convert a soft glass neon electrode to a boro electrode: Aaron Kirchoff (Strong Force Scientific)
  • Demonstrate the use of a drag bar on an HSJ lathe: Randall Strait
  • Demonstrate the use of a glass engraving lathe: Randall Strait
  • Make an RF sealed 4 pin kovar header: Harold Lasswell ( Glass To Metals LLC)
  • 3/4″ kovar tube seal to kovar pin header: Victor Nunn (Nunn Better Glass)
  • Demonstration TBD by a VDG member 
  • Demonstration TBD by Kyle Meyer (Proctor and Gamble) 
  • Possibly: Sealing flanges and neck to a 100 liter flask 
  • Formal programming is followed by break out rooms for Glass Happy Hour: grab a beverage of your choosing and meet other glassblowers. Share your favorite project, discuss tips and techniques, discuss tools and torches, meet a sponsor

Fri June 18th 7-9:30 East Coast time TECHNICAL DEMONSTRATIONS

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Sat June 20th

Annual Meeting


1PM East Coast, 12 noon Central, 11AM Rocky Mountain, 10AM Pacific
 

The ASGS Annual meeting for business (open to all members separate Zoom login provided) 
Regardless of you participation in the symposium all ASGS members are strongly encouraged to attend this very important 90 minute meeting. 

  • 12:00  ASGS Board of Directors meeting (Requires separate Zoom login open to existing members only)
  • 1:00 Annual Meeting for Members (Requires separate Zoom login open to existing members only)
  • 2:30 ASGS Awards 
  • 3:00 Special Guest artist demo Ryan Fitt followed by Q&A
  • 3:30 Special Guest artist demo (TBD)
  • 4:00 Art Auction Results
  • 4:15 Thank you to everyone plus Invitation to 2027 in person in Colorado
  • 4:30 Break out rooms for Sponsors, local sections, and glass happy hour

Interested in presenting or exhibiting?
Contact the home office or the board president for more details.  

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It’s time to think about a donation to the 2026 auction for the symposium. Make a piece of art, donate a product, donate a piece of equipment or a tool. The ASGS is looking for contributions.
 
This year the auction is open to the whole world as it’s happening online. Your item will be seen globally. The bidding will be from anyone and everyone. If you’re looking to be seen this is the year to donate. 
 

Here’s how a donation works:

All donations must be legal in all 50 states. New equipment supplies or tools are most welcome. It’s a great way to get your company name out there. If you have used equipment or tools to donate they must be in very good condition.  
Either: Use this link to add a description, photo and estimated value to your item
Or: Send an email to the office Click to reveal with your item description, photo, and estimated value. The photo is VERY important. Do your best to get a really great shot or two of your item. No donations will be accepted without an image. 
 
Carefully pack and mail (including insurance) your donation to:
CJ Reiner
ASGS Auction
2107 11th St
Altoona PA 16601
Your packaging will be reused to send your donation to the winning bidder.
 
The auction will go live on June 1st. You have till then to send in your items.