Stained glass studio open at MVAC
Thanks to contribution from Darlene Strong
October 28, 2024, 9:30 am
Nicole Taylor
The Moosomin Visual Arts centre has recently made an addition with the opening of a new stained glass studio, thanks to a donation from Darlene Strong. The new glass studio is aimed to provide an opportunity to learn the art of stained glass.
Darlene Strong, who has a strong passion for the hobby, donated over $5,000 towards this studio, which doesn’t include the hours of work she dedicated to painting, setting up and organizing the new studio.
As a member of the Moosomin Visual Arts Centre board, Darlene noticed the high demand for stained glass classes in the area.
She said “I thought, that’s something I can take on! I am a project person, so it was really fun for me to put this together.”
Darlene fell in love with stained glass during her grade 12 year of high school while she was cutting a mirror for a class project.
Strong says that the most challenging part for beginners is getting over their fear of cutting the glass. “Glass is not forgiving, it doesn’t stretch or bend. It’s got an attitude.”
Strong says that one of her favourite aspects of teaching is the excitement from students who say “I didn’t think I could do this!” after they successfully create their own pieces for the first time.
Darlene was proud to show her most sentimental piece that she has created from stained glass, a remembrance of her mother.
“I knew I wasn’t going to use my mother’s silver, so this was a nice way to create a remembrance for her,” she explained.
Strong explained how many people come to her with old valuables and items that hold sentimental value because they want to preserve their loved ones’ belongings.
Darlene’s favourite part of cutting glass is the soldering process. “ I like the challenge and edging the pattern,” she says.
Darlene will teach classes every month, and she has the capacity to take 4 people per lesson in the stained glass studio.
Strong says The next class will be held November 22 where they will creating Christmas decorations.
Krista Crellin, the chair of MVAC, says that so far the program has received around $40,000- $50,000 in donations from the community.
The centre opened earlier this year, after the idea became a solid plan last year.
Crellin says they are very grateful for all of the donations and volunteers, and every time she walks into the centre she is so proud of how far the Moosomin Visual Arts Centre has come in such a short amount of time.
