Sonoran Glass School - Tuesday 11/17/2026
Trip Cost: $24
Discover the magic of glass art at the Sonoran Glass School (SGS).
Founded in 2001 at the storied Philabaum Glass Studio (now Philabaum Glass Gallery), Sonoran Glass School began as the dream of a small group of local glass artists. Tom Philabaum and Dave Klein formed the Sonoran Art Foundation, Inc. They quickly outgrew their existing studio space and acquired a rusty, closed-down tire station in one of Tucson’s oldest barrios south of downtown and over 20 years later is still going strong. Today, they’re the only full-service, nonprofit glass arts education organization in the desert Southwest. SGS is dedicated to inspiring people of all ages to discover the wonder of glass art.
Learn more about the Sonoran Glass School here.
We’ll meet at the Photography Club at 8:45 AM for carpooling, departing at 9:15 AM. Please wear your GVR Photography Club or Camera Club badge, if available. For those carpooling, $5.00 is an appropriate contribution to the driver.
Upon arrival, we'll be provided a guided tour that features an exploration through the gallery, the studios, and the Sculpture Garden. We'll be shown the tools utilized in each studio and examples of the kind of glass art pieces produced in these shops. with an exciting glassblowing demonstration at the end.
The school features a small gallery offering items for purchase -- something to think about this close to the holidays.
A no-host lunch will follow the tour -- details will be provided to participants via email.
Sue Ready will be our trip leader. Contact Sue at 612-240-2818 or email at with any questions. She will be disseminating more information to registered participants via e-mail as we get closer to the event. Please add your trip leader's email and phone number to your contact list so you don't miss out on any important updates.
GVR requires that every person participating in the club's field trips must sign a waiver absolving GVR of any liability. You will be required to sign the waiver at the Photography club before the trip departs if you haven't already done so.
The last date to cancel for a refund is November 10, 2026. If you need to cancel, please contact the Field Trip Co-Chair Lynn Rozema at 719-351-5193 or email lrozema51@gmail.com. We may have people on the wait list to take your place.
If you have to cancel on the day of the trip, please call Sue as soon as you know you cannot make the trip.
NOTICE:
All participants need to be responsible for an assessment of their mobility and health issues relating to field trips. Some trips may not be appropriate, but you must make that determination. However, the trip leader may deny participation in a specific field trip to anyone deemed not suitably prepared or able to walk with the group.
Be sure to have your GVR card with you for each and every field trip. Without it, you won't be allowed to go on the trip. No refunds will be granted for failure to comply with this requirement. To protect GVR and club member benefits, GVR has implemented a new process that requires each field trip participant to come into the club and scan his/her GVR card to confirm eligibility. We no longer have the option of typing in your name or GVR number – only the physical GVR card will do.
We will no longer meet in the parking lot. We will meet in the GVR Photography Club where you will scan your GVR card confirming your eligibility to go on the trip. We’ll also review important/late-breaking information, pair up drivers and riders, provide driving directions, and give participants a chance to visit the restrooms prior to departure. Again, be sure to have your GVR card with you.
In order to participate in this event, you must be a member of the GVR Photography Club and GVR.
The GVR Photography Club is located in the Recreation Village of Santa Rita Springs.