The Glass Bar — Attraction in Needham

I have been someone who has been participating in glass workshops for over twenty-five years in a variety of settings - thoroughly enjoying the craft, working with the other students and learning from some amazing instructors through the years.

The Glass Bar is clean and well-appointed and as far as I can tell, the instructor I was enrolled with is more than competent at explaining how to create beautiful pieces of work to others.

An issue though did arose when the instructor misconstrued something I said to another student & began to yell at me from across the room. I went to her to address the issue with her privately but she angrily rebuffed me.

Towards the end of the class, I went to the instructor once again only to ask that if there was an issue, to please address it privately. At that point, she began to make allegations that I was constantly commenting on the quality of the equipment at the studio and critiquing her teaching style. When I said she was mistaken (complete with explanation), she said she knew exactly who I was and this was based on our past history. We were once briefly students together at this very same studio one summer some nine years ago.

It was what happened next that shocked me. She drew me back into the classroom and began to disparage me in front of the other students.

I had hoped to handle this matter privately the instructor by reaching out to her once again via email. I then felt it necessary to bring it up with the owner of the studio because I believe it's inappropriate for a person to pull another person into a group of others an attempt to humiliate them calling on past histories of behavior and making a mockery of that person's feelings - more so if they are an instructor.

Instead of trying to work the problem through, I was told it would be best for me to part ways with the studio.

When I went to the studio to pick up my project, I was not permitted to enter the premises - the doors were locked. I told the instructor I wanted to retrieve my piece and she told me it was left in the lobby of the building.

When I asked the instructor what her issue was, she said this was because I told the owner she was a "bad teacher". I can assure you, I never used those words.

What I had said was that a "A good teacher never would pull a student back into a classroom in an attempt to humiliate them in front of their peers"

The owner has thus far refused to issue a full refund for the series.

• Addendum * What I should I stated in my initial comments were how the remarks made me feel --- especially based on the timeline & recent events in the world. The instructor accused me of trying to undermine the studio's ability to "make money" when I offered to give another student a piece of glass (from my personal stock) if the instructor couldn't find what she had asked for. I had wanted to continue in the workshop & had asked both the instructor and then the owner if there was a way to discuss what had happened in the 3rd of 6 classes - when there hadn't been any hint of an issue before ---- and to provide a safe, supportive environment of all glass artists to work in. I would never undercut a small business, especially one owned by a woman, yet again, how can I possibly support any business that doesn't support a student when they privately bring up an issue or more importantly, employs an instructor addresses a student with...

Has a lot of potential but some problems with customer service. The owner is super nice, the teacher was also nice. I had a potential exposure to Covid that wasn’t even a Close Contact as defined by the CDC. Out of an abundance of caution I asked if I should stay home, and they said yes. I then found and took a rapid Test that was negative and asked if I could still come and they did not reply. Then, halfway through the session the teacher asked if we could change the class schedule to earlier in the day. I said no as I had to work. However the next class I ended up having to miss because something at work went over and I live far from the studio. The following class the teacher told me she was scheduling it earlier and that I could make up the missed times at an undetermined time that I would have to coordinate with her to schedule. I suppose she thought since she didn’t reschedule and then I missed that she didn’t need to ask this time. But that is not how it works when I paid for a class at a certain time. Maybe that’s the kind of boundary you set with someone who is not a customer. But I don’t think it was appropriate when we had a contract for a class at a certain time. I decided I didn’t want to bother traveling that far on so many occasions but asked if I could get a make up classes in the next session so I could spend enough time there to make it worth the trip. The teacher said no, that there were no makeups allowed per the terms of the contract (which terms do not show up until after you’ve paid, if I recall correctly and if so they are not actually legally binding). Under the circumstances I thought the decision should be reconsidered and asked if the teacher could forward the issue to the owner. I never heard from the owner, and the teacher asked for the book she encouraged me to borrow from her in a way that really made me feel like she didn’t really care if I didn’t get to finish my project or had a...

Our class with the Glass Bar and our delightful teacher, Debbie was a wonderfully enjoyed activity, turned into cherished memories and inspiration for a lifetime of pursuing it further. Our trip was inspired by an appreciation of glass arts, my great uncle a professional glass blower and my partner’s grandfather a dedicated stained glass craftsman. The encouraging, welcoming, and uplifting sentiments of our teacher, Debbie, eased all the self pressure our awe of the craft placed upon us. Within seconds of meeting Debbie any nerves or self intimidation evaporated and was replaced with the openness and eagerness to learn, and immerse in the joy of glass art. We are so humbled and overjoyed to have enjoyed the class and craft as much as we did. It was a testament that art and artists bring about sharing the best qualities we all have to offer, kindness, community, grace, varied perspectives/imaginations and the harmony of compliments and contrasts. It was a humble honor to support this business and community center and to part with the intention ton return and only grow in connecting to the art and the people...