Create your glass masterpiece at Silica Dreams

A version of this article was published in Dayton Beer Advisor in October 2023.

Local artist Sean Mckinney gave me a tour of his Front Street studio, Silica Dreams, where he makes glittering pieces of glass art and holds classes for beginners and beyond.

Starting in glass

Silica Dreams owner, Sean Mckinney, has always been artistic with a talent for airbrushing, sewing, painting, and more. He has the ability to pick things up quickly and eventually became interested in stained glass restoration. When fused glass caught his eye, he watched videos and researched how to make his own unique pieces. He says it wasn’t long before he fell in love with glass because there’s no waste and it’s a very forgiving medium. Plus, when he sold his first piece, he explains “I felt like a rockstar – someone wanted what I made.”

Mckinney didn’t have any trouble finding second-hand equipment as he continued to learn more about glass art. Over the years, he started Silica Dreams and opened up shop at Front Street Studios. He’s even written a 400-page glass making manual that takes someone from a total beginner to completing over 120 projects. He found that not many glass artists would share a lot of guidance and wanted to share his knowledge with aspiring artists.

Glass creations

After making thousands of pieces, Mckinney finds that marbles are his favorite glass art to create. “I’m just controlling the glass, I’m not in control of the silver inside the glass,” explains Mckinney. “I’m only seeing where it’s going.” He also enjoys commissioned pieces because just about anything can be recreated with glass, even logos.

“It’s so rewarding that my glass is in homes even in other states,” Mckinney explains. “People use it every day.”

Silica Dreams offers smaller pieces like fused glass pendants, glass fountain pens, and keychains as well as larger pieces like wall art, lanterns, and jewelry boxes. A great way to see Silica Dreams art up close is during Front Street’s First Fridays. Mckinney explains, “I love First Fridays – just working on the torch with good music and people getting to see what I do with glass.”

First in glass

Offering classes in glass art was a natural next step for Silica Dreams. “I really believe in being open source,” explains Mckinney. “The more people are involved in glass art, the more innovation can happen.” He’s even had students brand new to glass art come up with some of the most unique ideas he’s seen.

Students can expect to learn the basics of a variety of glass-making techniques. Silica Dreams focuses on keeping it simple and fun with plenty of opportunity for students to infuse their projects with their own creativity.

The class schedule and pricing are available on his website: silicadreamsllc.com. Mckinney explains that the pendant-making and glass mushroom classes are some of the most popular. He’s also taught classes with Westside Makerspace. Mckinney reflects, “It’s rewarding having a purpose and being in a position to provide inspiration and a creative outlet for people to enjoy making glass art as much as I do.”

Silica Dreams

1111 E Second St, Building 300, Unit 2100, Dayton, OH 45402