2025 Expo Logo Brewster International Kaleidoscope Expo
2025 Classes

DoubleTree by Hilton Omaha Downtown
1616 Dodge St.
Omaha, NE, 68102
(402) 346-7600
Thursday June 5th thru Sunday June 8th, 2025

Class availability is subject to change. Check back for the latest information. See the schedule page for a breakdown of what’s happening when. Here’s a map of the hotels meeting rooms. You can click many of the photos below for a larger image.

Click the Artist name for their BKS profile. Click photos for a better view. Click the link to the Kaleidoscope Gallery entry for more information about the kaleidoscope. (if the artists has created an entry)

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Jump to a class by artists

◈ Marshall Fisher ◈ Steve Kittelson ◈ Dan Land ◈ Jim Riedl ◈

◈ Sue Rioux ◈ Jennifer Stuart ◈ Marc Tickle ◈ Laura Wilde ◈ Koji Yamami ◈

Click the blue bar above the artists to jump back here

Marshall Fisher Hot Jazz

This year’s class turns up the heat from “Smooth” to “Hot”. You will create a two-mirror kaleidoscope in a kiln-fused glass body with dazzling dichroic accents, an integral walnut stand and interchangeable cells. You will assemble a precision mirror system, attach a magnifying lens, enclose the mirror system in the scope body, and create a dry cell filled with “magic” of your choice (I also include a completed oil-filled cell with fused and lampworked inclusions).
 
Friday June 6th, 1 - 4:30 Room: Missouri

Cost: $195 Slots remaining: 4

More information about this scope can be found in the BKS Kaleidoscope Gallery.


Steve Kittelson Heavenly Spalted
Steve will furnish everything needed, including a turned spalted maple barrel with a gold anodized turning end, cut pieces of mirror for you to assemble your mirror, and stand. Flame worked glass pieces and beads will be furnished for the object cell which will be held in place by magnets. Class length: 4 hours and starts at 8am.
Saturday June 7th, am Room: Iowa

Cost: $275 Slots remaining:4

More information about this scope can be found in the BKS Kaleidoscope Gallery.

 


Dan Land A Trapezoidal Mirror System
Is it Rainbow Love or a Cherokee Headdress? When I was first learning about kaleidoscopes, I was talking to my son about how they didn’t have to be based on a triangular mirror system. Some time later, he came to me all excited and said let’s try making this… The “this” was a trapezoidal mirror system, which created an image he named “Cherokee Headdress” in honor of the Cherokee Indians who live in the Smoky Mountains near our home. I didn’t have the heart to tell him (then) that most kaleidoscope people know this type of image as “Rainbow Love”. Whatever you want to call it, the image is unique just like the kaleidoscope itself. The backstory for this scope is based on the 1904 St. Louis World Fair, and the first powered dirigible competition in the USA. Come to class to learn the whole story.
    In this class we will:
  1. discuss trapezoidal mirror systems compared to triangular mirror systems
  2. put together a trapezoidal mirror system
  3. seal an acrylic object chamber using a UV curing adhesive (bring your own objects if you want)
  4. assemble a unique kaleidoscope with a turning end using a 3D printed component
  5. practice the kaleidoscope chant (ooh and aah) together
  6. have a good time.
Saturday June 7th, 1 - 4:30 Room: Nebraska

Cost: $200 Slots remaining: 2

 

Jim RiedlJim Riedl
Shaken Not Stirred
Cost: $155Slots remaining: 7
More information about this scope is in the kaleidoscope gallery.Shaken Not Stirred

Saturday June 7th, 1 - 4:30 Room: Capitol & Dodge
This class will take a common bar tool and turn it into an unusual kaleidoscope. Using a 16-ounce cocktail shaker as the body. Participants will have the opportunity to create a tribute to James Bond’s famous line “Shaken But Not Stirred” when ordering his favorite martini. During the class you will assemble your mirrors and install them inside the shaker. Then, create your object cells using beads, glass pieces and various other objects provided or any special pieces you bring to the class. The cells can be dry, or glycerin filled. We will add the cap which contains the lens that has already been glued in place. A wooden base will be provided for each participant to display your creation.

Sue Rioux
Sue is offering two different classes, an all day class and a 1/2 day class.
Duo
Cost: $450Slots remaining: 3
More information about this scope is in the kaleidoscope gallery.
All day, Thursday June 5th, Noon – 4pm Room: Iowa
There is a lot going on in this scope! Students will assemble a two or three mirror system, fill your 4” tube with oil and lots of fun stuff then you will learn to solder and make a wheel for the end.