JOIN US

COME JOIN THE FUN!

Grand Glass Arts (GGA) welcomes new Members WHO ARE RESIDENTS (Owners or Renters) or NON-RESIDENT Owners of The Grand, Surprise, AZ (formally Sun City Grand) and have a valid CAM card!

Whether you aspire to make a beautiful stained-glass window for your home, design a mosaic masterpiece or enjoy creating a one-of-a-kind fused glass piece, GGA encourages you to explore the world of glass arts in our extensively equipped Studio.  You'll find our 300+ Members friendly, helpful and willing to share ideas and techniques.

This page will provide:

• Our New Member Class dates
• The benefits of being a Member of GGA
• Our Member volunteer service requirements
• Our education program for New Members
• Our Membership Dues and New Member education costs
• How to submit your application for Membership
• Some brief information on the costs of glass art work

Please make sure to read all of this page before submitting your application.

NEW MEMBER CLASS DATES

GGA normally runs New member Classes from September through March.  Our currently scheduled New Member Classes are shown below.  If there are no spots available for a class, then This Class Has a Wait List will appear in the class title. 

 

FORMER GGA MEMBER

If you are a former GGA Member, who was active in the Club at any time after January 2020, (i.e., You have a GGA website username & password), please email your name and phone number to NewMemberContact@GrandGlassArts.com  and we will contact you to discuss the re-entry process.

If you were a member prior to January 2020, (i.e., You do not have a website username or password), please see the instructions for New Members with Glass Arts Experience below to establish your website access.  When you fill out the application, be sure to indicate that you are a former member.  You will receive a call from the New Member Contact to discuss rejoining Grand Glass Arts.  

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

We offer our Members a wide array of glass activities and benefits, all for a low annual Membership Dues.

• The Studio is open 7 days a week from 5 AM to 10 PM for project work.  Note:  Per The Grand rules, there must be 2 Members present to work in the Studio.
• Our robust educational program offers beginning, intermediate and advanced classes in various fusing techniques (including jewelry), mosaics and stained-glass (foil & solder, came, boxes, etc.) all taught by experienced Members for fees well below other glass studios in the area.
• We have many power and hand tools, cutting boards, stained-glass tools and supplies available for Members to use.
• We have Social Events throughout the year and an annual Tag Sale where Members can buy or sell glass and other glass supplies and tools.
• We have several consignment/commission sales opportunities including in-Studio sales, monthly Farmer's Markets and the fall and spring Art Festivals.
• Pattern making services and a large pattern library.
• A Club Store where you can purchase glass supplies and tools.
• Our Website offers the capability of placing classified ads where you can buy/sell/trade glass, supplies and tools to other Members
• The Studio has project storage space - subject to availability.
• You will have access to our Club Website with information on GGA functions, classes, the weekly newsletter, Studio reservations, glass suppliers and much more.
• 10% discount at a local glass supplier (subject to change by the supplier)

ABOUT GGA AND VOLUNTEER SERVICE

GGA, like all Clubs in The Grand, is run by its Members.  Maintaining the Club Store, tools, and various functions within the Studio; teaching classes; running events; monitoring at the Studio front desk; and all administrative functions (Board of Directors, Committee Chairs and Committee members) are done by our Members who volunteer their time.

All Members of GGA are required to perform volunteer service during the year.  We track volunteer service using a system of service credits.  One credit is earned for every two to 3 1/2 hours of volunteer work.  Each Member has a Service Credit Bank and as credits are earned, they are added to the Bank.  Each quarter (1/1, 4/1/ 7/1 and 10/1) we deduct one credit from each Member's Bank.

To use the Studio or other Club amenities or participate in Club functions, a Member must maintain his or her status as a Member in Good Standing.  This means a Member's Service Credit Bank must be zero (0) or higher.  A Member whose bank falls into a negative number is considered a Member NOT in Good Standing and cannot use Club amenities or participate in events until the Bank is brought back to at least zero (0).

 

BECOMING A MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING

Once you submit your application, pay your Membership Dues and complete our New Member Class, you will become a Member in Good Standing and earn one (1) Service Credit.  You'll be paired with a Mentor and within 30 days of taking the New Member Class, you must complete one Monitoring of the Studio Front Desk session and you will earn your 2nd Service Credit.

New members with no or limited glass arts experience

If you have limited or no glass arts experience, you are required to complete a 2-day New Member Class.  These classes are held on the second weekend of a month from September through March.

Part one of the Class is a two hour introduction to Grand Glass Arts presented by Officers and Chairpersons which includes an overview of the amenities of the Club, Member responsibilities, review of our Education Program and a tour of the Studio.

Part two of the Class is 1 1/2 days of glass skills training including safely working with glass, cutting glass, using glass tools, including a grinder, and using a pattern, all while making a small fused glass project.  The fee for the class includes all glass, use of tools needed and written materials so you just need to come with a pen or pencil and paper.

Following completion of the New Member Class, you will be eligible to take one or more of our beginning series of classes to learn fusing, stained glass and/or mosaics.  These classes, like the New Member Class, include all the glass and use of tools you need to complete a project.  They are held on a rotating weekly basis September through April. 

Pease Note:  Unlike the New Member Classes which are held on weekends, virtually all of our class sessions are held on weekdays and run either 9-12 or 1-4.  The number of sessions for each class vary, but there are 3 sessions to each 'beginning' class.

NEW MEMBERS WITH GLASS ARTS EXPERIENCE

If you are an experienced glass artist in fusing or stained glass, there is a different process to join GGA.  First, you will meet with one of our experienced artists who will assess your skills.  If you have the necessary skills, you will just need to take the two hour Introduction to Grand Glass Arts and pay the Membership Dues.  This class is scheduled concurrently with our regular New Member classes during the season or on as as-needed basis during other times of the year..

Following the class, you'll be given one (1) Service Credit.  You will then be a Member in Good Standing and can begin working in the Studio.  Then within 30 days of taking the class, you must complete one Monitoring of the Front Desk session with a Mentor and you will earn your 2nd Service Credit.

When submitting your application to join GGA, please briefly describe your experience in the Comment Box provided on the application.  A member of our evaluation team will contact you to discuss your experience and your availability for a skills assessment session.

FEES, COSTS AND PAYMENT METHOD

Our annual dues are currently $35 per calendar year payable in January of each year.

For new Members, the annual dues are based on when you take the New Member or Introduction to Grand Glass Arts as follows:

• If  you take the Class in January through September, the total annual dues are $35.
• If you take the Class in October or November, the dues are prorated for a total of $20.
• If you take the Class in December, the dues are $35 which is applied to the following year.  Basically, December is free.
  

In all cases, the $20 non-refundable deposit that you will pay when you submit your application will be applied to your dues for the year in which you take one of the above Classes.

Our New Member Class fee is currently $90.  Our Intro to GGA for Experienced Artists Class fee is $20.  The total amount you pay (Dues plus Class Fees) will depend upon the date of the New Member/Intro Class you take.

Beginning Fusing, Beginning Foil & Solder and Beginning Mosaic classes are currently $90 each.  Beginning Classes introduce a New member to specific glass techniques and build upon the Basic Skills Class taught during the new Member Class.  Take a look at the Gallery to see examples of each technique from our wonderful artists.  (All Class fees are subject to change due to the increase in the cost of glass and supplies provided.)

Note:  Fees for the New Member Classes are due 45 days before the start of the Class.  Payment for all other Class Fees, Club Store Purchases and Social Events where a fee is charged are due upon registration/purchase.  Annual dues are paid between January 1 - 31 each year.  All registrations, purchases and fee payments are handled electronically through our Website using a credit card. 

 

BECOMING A NEW MEMBER

Due to the popularity of GGA and the availability of our New Member Classes, becoming a Member of GGA may take several months.  Our New Member Classes fill up quickly and we will register you in the first available class that fits your schedule.  You may also wait list for an earlier class but there is no guarantee there will be an opening.  If you are a part-time resident of The Grand, you will need to apply well in advance of you coming for the season.

To become a Member of GGA, please review the process described below.

You will click on the button below that says JOIN US NOW (Please read through the information below before clicking on the button).

You will be taken through a series of questions and will fill out your contact and other information.  The process should take no more than five (5) minutes.

You'll be asked to pay a non-refundable deposit of $20.  This will be applied to your Membership Dues for the year in which you take the New Member/Club Introduction Class.

 

Once you submit your application and pay the $20 deposit, you will receive two emails, one from our New Member Contact confirming receipt of your application.  Expect a call within 48 hours to discuss registration in an upcoming class.  A second email from our Treasurer will confirm receipt of your payment.  New Member Class fees are due 45 days before the start of the Class.
 
Please be sure your email account is set to accept emails from NewMemberContact@GrandGlassArts.com or, check your spam folder.  If you do not receive these emails, please email NewMemberContact@GrandGlassArts.com.

If you have indicated in your application that you are an experienced glass artist, a member of our evaluation team will contact you to discuss your experience and your availability for a skills assessment session.  An Intro to GGA for Experienced Glass Artists will be scheduled after the assessment session.  The fee for that Class is $20.

JOIN US NOW

COSTS INVOLVED IN GLASS ARTS

Once you take the New Member Class and one or more of the Beginning classes, you will purchase your own glass, glass supplies and tools.  Expect to pay between $60 - $75 for the basic tools (cutter, breakers, grinder bit).  Stained glass tools and supplies will be another $100 - $150.

There are a few glass suppliers in the area and a number of on-line vendors.  A 12 x 12 sheet of art glass for use in stained glass or mosaic work can range from $8 to $20 for basic colors.  A 12 x 12 sheet of glass for fusing can range from $10 - $25 for basic colors.