FAQs

Preparing for your class/workshop

Feeding body and soul

Are water bottles allowed at workbenches?

If you like having drinking water at your workstation, we suggest you bring a spill-proof water bottle.

What refreshments are served during workshops?

Coffee and tea will be available throughout your workshop. You are also welcome to bring your own.

Do you serve lunch during day-long workshops?

Unless your workshop description specifically states that lunch is served we do not serve lunch.

You're welcome to bring a packed lunch to enjoy during the lunch break.

If you'd prefer sampling something local, there’re Genesis Kitchen and La Belle Sorelle in Main Street opposite PMAC. The North Glengarry, downstairs offers an extensive menu and Gaetan’s Chip Truck at the township’s parking area will satisfy.

Consider placing your order before your class starts.

How long are lunch breaks during full day workshops?

Typically, lunch breaks are 30 minutes but this may may vary from instructor to instructor and workshop to workshop.

Getting to my workshop

Directions & Parking

Can you give me directions to PMAC?

Use this Google Maps link for directions to PMAC.

Where should I park?

There is free parking available opposite the Priest’s Mill Arts Centre on Mill Square. To the west are Ottawa and other side streets without parking time limitations. Parking in this area is popular.

Ample free parking, a two minute walk to the south of PMAC, is available at the township lot on 59 Main Street — look for Gaetan’s Chip Truck.

Be aware that free parking on Main Street is limited to two hours and on Center Street, to PMAC’s east, free parking is limited to only one hour.

Special needs

How can we help?

Is PMAC wheelchair accessible?

There are four steps to navigate between street level and PMAC's Gallery entrance.

Unfortunately our gallery (front) entrance is not wheelchair accessible. A shortcoming we hope to remedy when we have the funding to do so.

Please reach out, and we can assist with bringing you in through the studio (rear) entrance which has a 70cm (≈27") clearance.

Please note that our washroom is not wheelchair accessible. Again, a shortcoming we hope to remedy when we have the resources to do so.

Are your work spaces ergonomically designed?

We have generous workbenches at various heights and some that are height adjustable to accommodate personal preferences.

Workshop stools are similarly height adjustable and on wheels to make your work shop experience comfortable.

Preparing for your glass-centric class/workshop

Dress for success

Closed-toe shoes

A shard or sheet of glass falling and impaling itself in your foot is painful and poses serious risks. A drop of molten solder falling between toes will burn. To protect your feet, you must wear closed-toe shoes.

Learn more about safety in the stained-glass studio

Dress code for stained- and fused-glass workshops

Working with stained glass, soldering and chemicals can be messy.

Please wear work clothes — natural fibres like cotton are safest — or bring an apron or coverall.

Learn more about safety in the stained-glass studio

Long hair and loose clothes for glass workshops

Long hair and loose clothes can pose a risk when grinding glass or working with a soldering iron — we recommend you tie back long hair and make sure that you wear clothing that cannot be caught by moving machine parts.

Learn more about safety in the stained-glass studio

PPE — Personal Protective Equipment for glass workshops

We will provide you with the appropriate PPE for your workshop.

You are welcome to bring your own safety gloves, eye protection and mask if you prefer.

Learn more about safety in the stained-glass studio

Health and safety

Taking care

Is it safe to work with stained glass?

Scoring and breaking glass inherently poses some risk. We will guide you to work safely and provide the requisite personal protective equipment (PPE). Please follow your instructor's guidelines.

Always wear eye protection when scoring and breaking glass to avoid injury.

Minor cuts and scrapes can happen in moments of inattentiveness.

Soldering iron tips typically run at 360-410°C (680-770°F) in the stained-glass studio. Be sure not to touch the tip. Likewise, molten solder will burn if it touches the skin. Protective gloves are available.

Safety glasses and gloves are available. You are welcome to bring you own if you prefer.

Learn more about safety in the stained-glass studio.

Does the lead in soldering used in stained glass projects pose a risk?

Working with lead and lead-containing alloys poses manageable risk. Learn more about safety in the stained-glass studio

Is it safe to work with enamels and fine/powdered frit in the warm glass studio?

Lungs have a difficult time expelling very fine enamel and glass dust.

It is important to avoid inhaling these should they become airborne.

Your instructor will guide you on when it is necessary to wear a mask. When necessary, PMAC will provide a disposable N95 mask.

You are welcome to bring your own PPE.