general information about stained glass workshops
what to expect
During the first 15 minutes of an introduction to glasspainting workshop students learn how beautifully easy it is to paint glass with my proprietary recipe. During the first hour of my stained glass design and applied glasspainting workshop students learn the centuries-old steps for designing and building an original painted stained glass window via a focused Powerpoint presentation.
All workshops include straightforward, enjoyable group exercises to counteract any self-doubt or artistic insecurity, and one-on-one coaching to develop individual style. Students are gently challenged according to their abilities, and pushed to meet mini-deadlines so that everyone progresses through the curriculum without stress.
Scroll to the bottom of this page to find out what NOT to expect.
location
Workshops are held in southern Vermont near the border with western Massachusetts in the USA. The studio is situated on a quiet dirt road in Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest. Address: 359 Rue Madeline, Readsboro VT 05350.
accommodation
Our self-catering student residence Heartwell House is a newly-built post-and-beam retreat fifteen minutes walk from the studio. Here’s a one minute video.
Not driving or planning to rent a car? Book taxi service from Albany airport or nearby bus or train stations and plan to carpool with other students to buy groceries. I will introduce you to your cohort via email four weeks before the workshop starts.
COVID-19
We trust students to protect each other and our small Vermont community from novel corona viruses by getting tested where necessary, especially when traveling on public transport. Please use your own best judgement about when and whether you should get tested for covid-19.
hours, class size
Classes run from 9-4 with an hour for lunch. The studio is open extended hours for independent study Monday through Thursday and by arrangement. Maximum class size for all workshops is 4.
tuition fees, securing a place, cancellations
Week-long residential workshops with 6 nights accommodation cost $1,280 all-inclusive. Basic materials are provided.
Two-week-long residential workshops with 13 nights accommodation cost $2,732 all-inclusive. Aside from colored glass, materials are included. Glass is available for purchase at cost.
When you have been offered a place in a workshop you must pay a 50% deposit to secure your spot. Balance in full is due 60 days prior to first day of class.
cancellations, refunds
Workshops are designed for a cohort of four and last-minute cancellations affect others. Fees must be paid in full 60 days before you arrive and refunds are rare.
scholarships
Both the American Glass Guild and the Stained Glass Association of America offer merit-based educational scholarships that may be applied to my workshops. Stained glass makers from around the world, including artists without experience in stained glass, have received scholarships in the past.
Scholarship recipients must also pay tuition and accommodation in full 60 days prior to first day of class to be reimbursed upon completion of the workshop.
food
Lunch is self-catered or purchased from the Readsboro General Store. All students take a break and eat lunch at Heartwell House or outdoors. Bring your own travel mug and water bottle.
exercise and evening activities
You can hike, ski or snowshoe in the Green Mountain Forest right from the studio and book in-person yoga or fitness classes at North Adams Yoga in North Adams, Massachusetts, a 20 minute drive.
getting here
Driving times approx 3hrs from Boston; 4hrs from Manhattan; 7hrs to Quebec City or Baltimore. For air travelers, the studio is 1.5hrs drive from Albany NY International Airport; 2hrs drive from Bradley CT International Airport; and 2.5hrs drive from Manchester NH Regional Airport.
Taxi service must be booked ahead of travel date. We recommend Norm’s Limo Service, North Adams Massachusetts (413) 663-8300 (15mins away) and Transport the People, Pittsfield, Massachusetts (413) 443-7111 (55mins away). We are located in southwestern Vermont just 10mins from the Massachusetts border.
PLEASE NOTE that our area and surrounding towns are not serviced by Lyft or Uber.
Amtrak are piloting a seasonal train service between New York City and Pittsfield Massachusetts beginning summer 2022.
what not to expect
These are art-making workshops that do not include assembly techniques such as leading and copper-foiling, or glasspainting for stained glass restoration.
These workshops do not include fusing, slumping, acid-etching, sandblasting, fire-polishing, or the application of silver stains and colored enamels. All imagery is handpainted without the use of screen-printing or computer designed masks and decals.