Stained Glass Masterclass

Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of stained glass with this unique experience!

Perfect for all levels, from beginners to advanced artists, this course promises an unforgettable artistic journey.

Join local artist Laurie Spieker from Grand River Glassworks for a 9-day course to design and craft your own stained glass project. Get inspired by Sarah Hall's stained glass artwork at the Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery, and have your artwork displayed at the gallery in a special student exhibition!

Course Highlights:

• A research trip to the Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery to draw inspiration from Sarah Hall's captivating artwork.
• One Full-day intro class at Grand River Glass Studio, creating a mini Sarah Hall-inspired project.
• Six evening classes at Grand River Glass Studio to design and complete your unique stained glass panel.
• A display of your artwork at the Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery, with a student reception to celebrate with friends and family.

Course Schedule:

Day 1: Intro to Glass & Mini 1-day Project

• Date: Saturday May 4 *OR* Sunday May 5 (pick which date works for you during checkout).
• Time: 10:30 am - 4:30 pm
• Location: Grand River Glassworks, Waterloo
• Dive into a full-day beginner's class, learning essential glass techniques. Bring or purchase your glass cutter, running pliers, and grozing pliers.
• Glass supplies for this 1-day project are included with course fees.

Day 2: Get Inspired

• Date: Tuesday May 7
• Time: 6pm - 8pm
• Location: Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery, Waterloo
• Explore Sarah Hall's artwork 'Lightly Go Round' on display at the Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery. Learn about advanced glass cutting techniques that were used to create this piece and start brainstorming ideas for your own work.

Days 3-8: Create Your Own Piece

• Dates: Tuesdays May 14, 21, 28, and June 4, 11, 18
• Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
• Location: Grand River Glassworks, Waterloo
• Unleash your creativity during six evening workshops, incorporating fused glass details into your stained glass artwork.
• Glass supplies to complete your artwork are not included in course fees and can be purchased at Grand River Glassworks.

Day 9: Student Exhibition Reception

• Date: Sunday June 30
• Time: 2pm - 3pm
• Location: Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery, Waterloo
• Come and see your artwork on display at the gallery, and celebrate with friends and family!

Dates to Pick Up Finished Artwork

• August 6-12, 2024 - come during gallery open hours
• Location: Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery, Waterloo
• Collect your artwork during gallery open hours. If these dates don't work for you, please arrange an alternate pick-up date with programs@theclayandglass.ca

Materials (glass & tools) not included in course fees:

• Students have free use of studio tools – grinders, soldering irons, light tables, work tables
• Students must purchase (or provide) a glass cutter, running pliers and grozing pliers
• Students also purchase materials – glass, copper foils, chemicals, solder, etc – as required for their main project. You will have access to 'from the vault' glass products including special edition hand crafted glass and full antique glass.
• All of the above are available for sale in the studio. If you do not already have a set of tools, we suggest waiting to purchase them during the 1 day intro class to ensure they are good quality.
• Materials for the 1-day intro project on May 4 or 5 are included in course fees.
• If you have questions about materials, please email Laurie Spieker at info@grandriverglassworks.com
• Want to see the studio space? Take a virtual tour!

About Laurie Spieker

Laurie Spieker welcomes the world to her doorstep at Grand River Glassworks. She creates fresh and imaginative contemporary glass art and shares the inspiring beauty of art glass with her community through workshops offered at her Waterloo, Ontario studio and retail store, a leading promoter of glass art in Waterloo Region and beyond.

Artist website

About Sarah Hall, CM, RCA

Sarah Hall's work comprises of contemporary art glass at an architectural scale. Over the past forty years she has created hundreds of large-scale artworks for public, private, and institutional settings. In the process she has gained international recognition for her creativity, uncompromising artistry, and the innovative use of solar technology in architectural glass. Sarah is also, a respected educator and writer in the field of architectural glass. Sarah Hall's artwork is in the permanent collection at the Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery. 'Lightly go Round' is prominently displayed in the gallery's interpretation centre, where it exemplifies innovative and creative approaches to stained glass.

Artist website

*Members discount not applicable to this workshop. It has already been applied to all ticket types.