Drew Spangenberg Masterclass
Join us for six days of acute learning of masterful glassblowing techniques taught by South Australia-based glassblower Drew Spangenberg. Students will unpack the fundamentals of cup making, beginning with simple tumblers and progressing toward goblet assembly, with a strong emphasis on working thinner and with greater material control. The class will also lean into bottle and vessel making, focusing on precise bubble set-up, maintaining centre, and refining form. Designed for intermediate to advanced practitioners, this masterclass prioritises efficiency, clarity of process, and confident decision-making at the bench.
Running in the lead-up to Melbourne Design Week 2026, this masterclass moves between Studio Dokola (Melbourne) and Gordon Studio Glass (Red Hill), pairing focused making with a lively social program. Each day wraps early enough to attend Melbourne Design Week openings, talks, and exhibitions together and the weekend downtime between studio locations offers a time for reflection on skills learnt and an optional field trip (TBC). On Sunday afternoon, a public demonstration in Redhill by Drew Spangenberg —with wine and cheese—sets the tone before regrouping for class Monday–Wednesday. Camping on site, shared meals, and an end-of-class exhibition - a registered MDW26 event - create space to connect, exchange, and celebrate.
Drew Spangenberg is a South Australia–based glass artist and accomplished maker known for fine stemware and sculptural objects. He works as Production Manager in the JamFactory Glass Studio, where he now contributes to creative development of Australia's emerging glass artists. His work has earned national awards, exhibitions, and industry recognition, most recently a shortlisted in the prestigious 2026 national glass Tom Malone Prize and presenting his solo exhibition Containers at Hugo Michelle Gallery in late 2025.
https://www.dksglassdesign.com/
https://www.instagram.com/drew_spangenberg
13th -15th May Studio Dokola
16th - 17th May Weekend pause/optional field trip
17th May afternoon evening Wine+Cheese night at Gordon Studio
18th-20th May Gordon Studio
21st May Exhibition opening of work created during course.
Demos 8 - 12
Blowing 12:30 - 7:30
Melbourne Design Week 2026 program runs from 14-24th May
https://designweek.melbourne/
To register interest please click through the contact link below, or email us hello@studiodokola.com
Dokola is located on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri/Woiwurrung people of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to Elders both past and present, and recognise and respect their leadership as custodians of this land and as historically important local material innovators and craftpeople.