vermont workshop in progress
stained glass workshops and online courses
I teach kiln-fired glasspainting courses online via Zoom throughout the year, and residential glasspainting workshop-retreats in-person during Spring and Fall. I teach advanced residential workshop-retreats, including stained glass design and applied glasspainting workshops, during the Fall. Here’s our 2025 schedule.
what to expect
During the first few hours of a glasspainting workshops or Zoom course, people discover how beautifully easy it is to paint glass with propylene glycol. In advanced design and glasspainting workshops, they’re introduced to historic methods for designing and building a stained glass window.
As a teacher, I like to discover where people are in their artist journey, and encourage them to grow gently. Class sizes are small, to allow for one-on-one connection and individual attention. Both online and in-person students can progress comfortably through the curriculum. In-person workshops also include straightforward, enjoyable group exercises that help counteract any artistic insecurities.
All are welcome to attend glasspainting workshops and online courses. Both are designed with community in mind, and include ways to connect with classmates, share work, and discuss progress during and after class. Computer tech help is available at all times during Zoom classes.
Please go to our 2025 schedule or use the drop-down menu for in-depth descriptions.
online courses
I teach online glasspainting courses of eight structured, 90 minute Zoom classes scheduled over two consecutive weeks. Each class includes live instruction with slides, demonstrations, hands-on exercises and Q&A. Tuition fee for this four day course of Zoom classes is $640. Tools and materials for the course cost $75, including packing and shipping. No prior experience is needed. Maximum 6 students per online course. 2025 schedule.
in-person workshops
In-person residential workshops are immersive creative retreats in Heartwellville, Vermont, a tiny hamlet in Readsboro VT in the Green Mountain National Forest. Artists from a variety of backgrounds have found these workshops enjoyable and profitable. Experienced stained glass painters have gained technical skills, ease, and greater versatility. Illustrators and tattoo artists have transferred their drawing skills to stained glass. Past students include glassblowers, fusers, and ceramicists.
In-person glasspainting workshops in Vermont cost $1,280 all-inclusive of five days tuition, six nights accommodation, and all materials. No prior experience is needed. Maximum 4 students per workshop. 2025 schedule.
11-day advanced in-person glasspainting and stained glass design workshops cost $2,732 all-in. This includes eleven days tuition, thirteen nights accommodation, and basic materials. Advanced level workshops require familiarity with the Coombs recipe and techniques of glasspainting. 2025 schedule.
accommodation
Our self-catering student residence Heartwell House is a newly-built post-and-beam retreat two minutes from the studio. Here’s a one minute video of Heartwell House. There are no supermarkets or stores within walking distance, so plan to carpool with other students to buy groceries if you’re not planning to drive or rent a car. I will introduce you to your cohort via email four weeks before the workshop starts.
Students arrive for in-person workshops on Sundays and depart on Saturdays. Accommodations are provided at Heartwell House. Watch one minute video of Heartwell House student accommodations.
location
Heartwell House and the studio where workshops take place are located in Heartwellville, a small hamlet in the township of Readsboro Vermont, 10 mins drive from the Massachusetts border.
PLEASE NOTE that Readsboro VT, North Adams MA, Pittsfield MA, Williamstown MA and surrounding towns in Vermont and Massachusetts are NOT serviced by Lyft or Uber. Alternative travel options are listed below.
Heartwell House is the last house at the top of Rue Madeline on the left, with green siding and a red roof. Your GPS may not work, so please print driving directions beforehand and use mileage calculations, especially after dark. The address is 1087 Rue Madeline, Readsboro, Vermont 05350. Driving times are approx 2.5hrs from Boston; 3.5hrs from Manhattan; 7hrs to Quebec City or Baltimore.
air travelers, taxi service
We are approximately 1.5hrs drive or taxi from Albany, New York, International Airport; 2hrs drive from Bradley, Connecticut, International Airport; 2.5hrs drive from Manchester, New Hampshire, regional airport; 3hrs drive from Logan Airport in Boston MA; and 3.5hrs drive from JFK and Newark international airports.
Nearest Amtrak train stations are in Greenfield, Massachusetts and Pittsfield, Massachusetts, both about one hour’s drive from the studio. There is bus service from New York City or Boston to Williamstown, Massachusetts, which is approximately thirty minutes drive from the studio.
Taxi service must be booked ahead of travel date. We recommend Norm’s Limo Service, North Adams Massachusetts (413) 663-8300 (15 mins away) and Transport the People, Pittsfield, Massachusetts (413) 443-7111 (55 mins away). You may also email me for a list of private drivers for hire.
hours, class size
In-person workshops 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 in-person workshops is 4.
Online Zoom courses are currently scheduled to accommodate different time zones, with two classes per day over 4 days. Please email me to request alternate course schedules and times. Maximum class size for online courses is 6.
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. Basic materials are provided. Colored glass is available for purchase at cost. Online courses of 8 classes cost $640 plus $75 materials fee.
A 50% deposit will secure your spot in a workshop or online course.
Please pay in full 60 days prior to first day of in-person workshops.
Please pay in full 30 days prior to first class of online courses.
Workshops are designed for small cohorts of four or six students. Last-minute cancellations affect others, and refunds are rare.
how to pay
you may Venmo @coombscriddle. Please use the Pay Friends option.
you may mail a check made payable to Debora Coombs to 359 Rue Madeline, Readsboro VT 05350
International students may need other options. Please ask.
scholarships
Both the American Glass Guild and the Stained Glass Association of America offer tuition scholarships and have generously supported past students. Stained glass makers from around the world and artists without experience in stained glass have received scholarships for in-person workshops.
Scholarship recipients must also pay tuition and accommodation in full 60 days prior to first day of class to secure their place. Reimbursement for scholarships paid directly to the instructor will be distributed to recipients when they have completed the workshop.
lunch
Lunch is self-catered or purchased from the Readsboro General Store during workshops. All students take a break and eat lunch at Heartwell House or outdoors. Bring your own travel mug and water bottle.
getting to Vermont
Driving times approx 2.5hrs from Boston; 3.5hrs 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.
about me
You can read about my glasspainting recipe and application techniques here. Watch me glasspainting in real time here or dig through my blog for hundreds of photos of stained glass commissions in progress, and of glasspainting by students including first-time glasspainters.
what not to expect
In-person workshops are retreats for creative people. They do not include glasspainting for stained glass restoration or replication, or stained glass assembly techniques such as leading and copper-foiling.
Imagery is handpainted without the use of screen-printing, computer designed masks, or decals. These workshops do not include fusing, slumping, acid-etching, sandblasting, fire-polishing, or the application of silver stains and colored enamels.
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.
questions?
Please consider joining me for a free stained glass Tea Time via Zoom to meet, chat, share and find out more. Stained glass Tea Times are informal 45 minute gatherings held via Zoom throughout the year and by request. Sign up here.
Questions? Feel free to email me. Or send me your mobile number to schedule a call.