Explore the fascinating connection between fused glass and the extraordinary geological world beneath your feet.
Layers of Time is a unique collaboration between Marble Arch Caves and Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark, bringing together creativity, geology and place in an unforgettable underground setting during the International Day of Caves and Karst.
We invite you to join artist Michelle Brady of Michelle Brady Studio for a hands-on, beginner-friendly fused glass workshop inside the atmospheric Marble Arch Caves.
From Caves to Creations
The formations within Marble Arch Caves have been shaped over vast periods of geological time. Water, minerals and natural processes have created the distinctive textures, patterns and structures found throughout the cave system. These formations will provide the inspiration for your own fused glass artwork.
With Michelle’s guidance, you’ll explore the process of cutting, layering and combining glass, using sheet glass, frits, beads, wafers and textures to create your own interpretation of the underground landscape. You might take inspiration from the shapes of cave formations, distinct mineral deposits, sedimentary textures and colours, or the natural patterns created within the rock.
Once your design is complete, it will be placed in a kiln and heated to extremely high temperatures. The individual elements soften and fuse together, transforming your carefully constructed design into a unique piece of glass, which will be placed into a 6 x 6-inch picture frame that can be kept as a wonderful reminder of your time spent underground.
This creative workshop will have fascinating parallels to the natural world, where materials are transformed over time through heat, pressure, water and geological processes.
Create Where the Inspiration Begins
The workshop begins with a short introduction from a Marble Arch Caves guide, connecting your creative experience to the geology and formations surrounding you. Creating your artwork underground makes this more than a traditional craft workshop. You’ll be surrounded by the very landscape that has inspired your work, giving you a chance to look at the cave formations from a completely different perspective. No previous glassmaking or artistic experience is required.
Event Details
Your Finished Artwork
Following the workshop, your glass piece will be carefully kiln-fired by Michelle at her studio. The firing and cooling process takes approximately 24 hours, after which your finished artwork will be available to collect from the Marble Arch Visitor Centre at a later date. Our team will contact you as soon as your piece is ready for collection. Every piece will be completely individual – your own creative interpretation of the remarkable geological world of Marble Arch Caves.
Limited to 10 participants, book in advance to secure your space today.
