A popular class held at Element Art Center in Chinatown was my first experience with stained glass, and I quickly became a fan. Similar to sewing, completing a stained glass piece involves a very different series of processes, including designing, scoring, cutting, grinding, and mounting, before any soldering is done.
Luckily for us, Element owners Chloe Hess and Justin Steffler designed and cut the glass pieces in advance from photos participants were asked to send in before class. I’ll give it to you. I was fascinated. The design actually looked like my cat, with all the notable markings well expressed.
Our session began with Hess explaining how to prepare the glass, and then we were tasked with lining the edges of each small piece with copper foil. The process was incredibly tedious, but also calming, which is often the case with meditative, repetitive tasks.
I then plugged in my iron, put on my safety gear, and soldered the glass pieces using lead and mild acid, brushing them along the copper strips with a paintbrush. This part was scary. Irons get incredibly hot, and when they reach boiling temperatures, the reeds can sizzle and splatter like grease. Creating beautiful solder lines is also quite difficult, and this is where my limited experience came into play the most.
After connecting each piece and soldering the front, back, and side wires, Hess came over and installed the wire chain for hanging. She also gave us the option to paint additional details on the glass. This was done using the guidelines already taken into account in the paper design.
Owned and operated by Steffler and Hess, both working artists with degrees in art and education, this multidisciplinary studio has been in operation since 2022. School of Art: Facilities and Space,” said Hess. “We want to help our student and artist members share their stories through art.”
Hess and Steffler will teach all classes including abstract stained glass, wood carving, ceramic carving, wheel throwing, painting, mosaic, and printmaking. We also offer a ticketed membership program that includes private storage and 24-hour access to our facilities.
Price: $145 for 3-hour workshop
