Our core team is an all-female group of dedicated artists, designers, historians, and thinkers, united by a shared commitment to glassmaking. Our purpose is to educate, promote, and actively safeguard this remarkable craft.
We support and inspire artists, designers, and students while building meaningful connections with the wider community and encouraging responsible, environmentally conscious practice. We are committed to maintaining an inclusive and respectful working environment—one in which creativity can truly flourish.
Our mission is not only to preserve the traditions of glassmaking, but to thoughtfully connect them with contemporary tools and technologies, ensuring the craft remains vital, relevant, and alive for generations to come.
The Studio Team
Nadania Idriss
Founder & CEO / Co-owner
Community Projects & Development Director
As the founder and managing director of Berlin Glas e.V. and CEO of BG Glassworks gGmbH, Nadania brings a wealth of experience in the arts and cultural sector. Born in Berkeley, California, she pursued studies in medieval art and architecture in the Middle East before embarking on a career that includes esteemed institutions such as the British Museum in London and UNESCO in Paris. Her relocation to Berlin in 2005 marked a significant chapter in her professional journey. Throughout Nadania’s career, she has been deeply involved in volunteering within youth clubs and museums, finding great fulfillment in community engagement. The establishment of Berlin Glas & the Glassworks is truly her purpose. She is currently on the Board of Trustees at Bild-Werk, Frauenau.
Viviane Stroede
Lead Gaffrer & Technical Manager / Co-owner
Viviane Stroede is a sculptor and mixed media artist from Berlin, using glass as her main material for exploration. Her previous experiences lie within the field of conflict studies, communication and literature, which have greatly informed her artistic narrative. Viviane is co-owner and studio manager at BG Glassworks. She has received scholarships for Pilchuck, Bild-Werk and Corning and has previously exhibited and demonstrated in Italy, Turkey, U.S.A. and Germany.
Maya Harel
Gaffer & Instructor
Originally from Tel Aviv, Israel, Maya Harel is a visual artist based in Berlin. She works with various media such as glass, painting, and installation. In her work she tries to raise questions that concern our relationship as humans with the various natural elements that surround us and that we tend to disregard.
Maylis du Bot aka Ziggy
Hot-shop assistant & Instructor
Youth Coordinator
Ziggy is from Paris & Milan. She loves the mountains as much as she has a drive for social work and making the world a friendlier place. She is an emerging conceputal artist, who is finishing her MFA at the Art Academy Weissensee in Berlin.
Rudy Faulkner
Free-lance Instructor/ Co-owner
Originally from California, Rudy started working with glass at San Jose State University in 2006. He went on to complete an MFA at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale with Jiyong Lee as his advisor. After moving to Germany in 2014, Rudy completed a second MFA in Idar Oberstein, focusing on jewelry. In 2015, he began working at Berlin Glassworks as one of the lead instructors.
Opening hours
Monday – Friday
10am – 6pm
Saturdays
during classes only
If you would like to visit the studio, please send us an email to make an appointment.