Glassblowing in Hocking Hills: Unique Adventures
A Different Kind of Hocking Hills Adventure
Most visitors come to this part of Ohio for the waterfalls, the sandstone caves, and the hemlock-shaded trails. But glassblowing in Hocking Hills has become one of the region’s most talked-about activities, and it has nothing to do with hiking boots. Along Route 180 in Laurelville, about 20 minutes from Glenlaurel, a team of glassblowers pulls molten color from a 2,000-degree furnace and shapes it into finished art before a live audience.
This is Jack Pine Studios. Glass artist Jack Pine has worked in the medium for more than three decades, and his studio has grown into a five-acre campus with a working hot shop, a gallery, and a small crew of glassblowers who trained under him and now create their own pieces alongside his. If you are searching for things to do near Hocking Hills besides hiking, this is where to start. Each September, the studio’s Glass Pumpkin Festival becomes one of the region’s most popular events, and it is worth planning a visit around.
Watching the Process at Jack Pine Studios
A glassblower gathers molten glass on the end of a long pipe, blows a bubble into it, then shapes it with wet newspaper, wooden paddles, and steady turns until a bowl, an ornament, or one of the studio’s signature pumpkins takes form. The color shifts from orange to amber as it cools, and the whole sequence moves fast enough to hold your attention from start to finish.
Demonstrations run daily and are free to watch. The gallery afterward is stocked with vases, hummingbird feeders, and one-of-a-kind pieces, many of which end up as some of the best Hocking Hills souvenirs in the area, and a far better keepsake than a refrigerator magnet. For visitors who want to do more than observe, the studio also offers hands-on classes where a glassblower guides you through making your own piece. Booking ahead is recommended, especially on weekends when spots fill quickly. It also happens to be one of the better indoor activities in Hocking Hills when the forecast does not cooperate; the hot shop stays warm no matter what is happening outside.
The Jack Pine Glass Pumpkin Festival
Time a visit for mid to late September and you will catch the studio at its busiest and most colorful. The Jack Pine Glass Pumpkin Festival fills the grounds each fall with more than two thousand hand-blown glass pumpkins in every color, size, and finish imaginable, including a pumpkin of the year that has become a collector’s item among regulars. Local food trucks set up on-site, other regional artists sell alongside Jack’s work, and live music plays throughout the weekend. The timing lines up with peak leaf-peeping season, when the hills around Laurelville turn orange and red.
One of the Best Hocking Hills Resorts
A day built around glassblowing in Hocking Hills pairs naturally with a stay at Glenlaurel, A Scottish Inn and Cottages. Jack Pine Studios sits about 25 minutes away, an easy add-on to a morning hike through Conkles Hollow or a picnic lunch from our kitchen. This is one of the best Hocking Hills Cabins and resorts, where you can soak in a private hot tub, walk the quiet grounds, and finish the evening with a gourmet dinner at Thistle and Stone. Check availability and book your trip to Hocking Hills this fall.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is glassblowing?
Glassblowing is the process of shaping molten glass by inflating it with a blowpipe, then forming it with tools and controlled heat until it cools into a finished piece.
How does glassblowing work at Jack Pine Studios?
A glassblower gathers glass from a furnace heated to roughly 2,000 degrees, then shapes it using wet newspaper, wooden paddles, and steady rotation before it cools into its final form.
What should you wear to a glassblowing class?
Natural fibers like cotton, closed-toe shoes, and hair tied back are standard for any hands-on studio visit, since the work takes place near an open furnace.
What is there to do in Hocking Hills besides hiking?
Beyond the trails and waterfalls, the region offers glassblowing demonstrations and classes at Jack Pine Studios, kayaking, and seasonal festivals.
Where should you stay for a Hocking Hills getaway built around glassblowing?
Glenlaurel’s Hocking Hills Cabins and Resorts sits about 25 minutes from Jack Pine Studios, making it a convenient home base for a day trip followed by a private cottage stay.