Stained Bioglass [ONLINE]

NOTE: This is an ONLINE class. If you would like to participate in the hands-on part, you must purchase a "bioplastic kit" add-on during check-out with your ticket (Add-on sales will end on 6/23 at 11pm) OR source your own bioplastic supplies(details below). We will only provide the dry/wet ingredients for the hands-on part, other materials need to be sourced (see list below).

Bioplastics kits must be picked up ahead of time and will be ready for pick up at Genspace during the following time frames:

Monday, June 24, from 4pm-9:00pm

Wednesday, June 26, from 12pm-7:00pm

Thursday, June 27, from 1pm-6:00pm

Friday, June 28, from 10am-2:00pm

Genspace address: 132 32nd St, Suite 108, Brooklyn NY 11232

Genspace phone: 929-387-8100

Supplies List:

• Gelatin powder (link)
• Glycerin (link)
• Hot water (tea kettle, microwave, stove, etc)
• Pipette (optional)
• Glass jar
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Casting surface (silicone baking sheet or mold, plastic lid, acrylic sheet, petri dish, etc.)
• Gloves
• Paper towels

Imagine yourself as an alchemist creating stained glass with only compostable and renewable raw materials. What are the ingredients, colors, and textures of this “bioglass”? What can we discover about our physical and material environment with such a recipe?

Delve into the art and science of bioplastics by making a unique piece of stained bioglass from your home kitchen! In this hands-on, 3-hour virtual workshop, participants will learn the recipe for bioglass, a resin-like material with endless possibilities for art and design. Along the way, the instructor will share case studies and resources for beginning a biomaterials practice at home using everyday ingredients and materials.

No experience necessary. A materials list (for purchase on your own or for pick up at Genspace NYC) will be provided after registration.

Photo Credit/Descriptions: Fan Kong originals

Left to right

• Hand holding round bioglass, with dispersed bubbles and stained with red food coloring. Bioglass produces a caustic network projection from sunlight refracted through a curved surface.
• Hand holding bubble bioglass, demonstrating caustics, the optical phenomenon of light rays reflected through a curved surface.
• Bubble bioglass in petri dish, stained with blue food coloring.

Your registration gets you access to the live Zoom class, along with a recording of the class to view afterwards.

Accessibility Statement: Genspace is committed to ensuring that our online classes, events, and workshops are as accessible as possible, and can meet the ever-changing needs of our community. As we navigate the opportunities and challenges of online programming, we are constantly learning and adjusting our workflows to prioritize accessibility, and we’d love to hear any feedback our community might have. Please contact us (info@genspace.org) if you have specific accessibility requests or questions.

Meet the Instructor

Fan Kong (she/her) is a learning scientist and teaching artist rooted in Queens, NYC. Born in China but raised in Hong Kong, she works to build safe and inclusive spaces where youth and families can practice social change-making through the arts and sciences, especially across languages and generations. Fan is the founder of Craft Services, creating educational tools inspired by art and science.

Follow her on Instagram @fakefankong