It is mainly found in churches, synagogues, mosques and other places of worship, as well as in the windows of beautiful Victorian houses. But stained glass can also be used in a more contemporary way in your homes.
Contemporary stained glass, which differs from figurative stained glass by its more abstract lines and patterns, makes its mark in public buildings, businesses, religious buildings and residences, both for new constructions and older ones.
“For churches or synagogues, it’s more for aesthetic and spiritual reasons, to communicate a story, the spirit of something. This is not always the case for residences, for example, where it is more architectural. Stained glass adds a touch to the building,” says master glassmaker and workshop manager Jeff Scheckman, co-owner with Garth Jenkins of Studio du verre, a stained glass production workshop. The man who designs, restores and manufactures stained glass windows since 1981 specifies that stained glass was “more prestigious at the time, showed a certain standing “.
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PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Section of a stained glass window designed by Jeff Scheckman
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PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
The prototype of one of the stained glass windows created for the Archambault store in Place des Arts, designed by Mr. Scheckman
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PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Before moving on to the final production of the stained glass window, the glass craftsmen design models or color prototypes in order to give an idea of the finished product.
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PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
A prototype of the stained glass window designed by Mr. Scheckman for the Convention Center of the Hilton Lac-Leamy hotel in Gatineau
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PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Jeff Scheckman has been a master glassmaker and co-owner of Studio du verre since 1981.
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PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Details of one of the four stained glass windows of the work The four Seasons designed by Yehouda Chaki and produced by Studio du verre in the tunnel connecting two of Concordia University’s buildings.
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An evolving art
If the traditional techniques persist – remember that stained glass is an art that has existed since the 12the century – certain ways of doing things have evolved. Mr. Scheckman mentions in particular the fact that fused glass is emerging among the trends of the moment.
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PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Section of a stained glass window with fused glass
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PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Section of a stained glass window with fused glass
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PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Stained glass window with fused glass and painting on glass
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This technique consists of melting together pieces of glass previously assembled in an oven at temperatures of up to 1400°C. This very high heat allows the glass to melt and fuse together.
It frees us a bit from always putting lead between the glasses. One can make creations a little more spontaneous without traditional lead lines.
Jeff Scheckman, co-owner of Studio du verre
Architectural projects with the integration of stained glass
In collaboration with the eight craftsmen in his workshop and with the help of several other freelancers, Mr. Scheckman, who learned the basics of stained glass with a Dutch master glassmaker, touches on major architectural projects as well as restoration and commissions. smaller scale, such as private residences.
Regardless of the nature of the project, glass craftsmen always work in collaboration with architects, cabinetmakers, masons and other trades. The Studio du verre has used its know-how in the manufacture of contemporary stained-glass windows, such as that of the tunnel connecting two of the buildings of Concordia University. In 2010, Jeff Scheckman and his team collaborated with internationally renowned Greek-born Montreal artist Yehouda Chaki.
“The stained glass window is called The four Seasons. We interpreted Chaki’s works and used a lead-free technique, with glue, by gluing the glasses. There are four large stained glass windows in the tunnel that joins the two buildings,” says Scheckman. This installation showcases laminated antique glass in a space where natural light is absent, which inspired Yehouda Chaki “in his redefinition of nature and light,” says the explanatory plaque.
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PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
The stained glass The four Seasons produced in 2010 by Yehouda Chaki and the Glass Studio. The four landscapes where paint flows and brushstrokes mingle evoke nature in an environment where natural light is totally absent.
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PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
It is in the atrium of the shopping center and office building La Cour du roi, on Sainte-Catherine Street West in Montreal, that a skylight in shades of red, mauve and yellow, created by the Studio du verre in 1996, is hidden. .
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PHOTO PIERRE GUZZO, PROVIDED BY MAISON SAINT-GABRIEL, MUSEUM AND HISTORIC SITE
In 2010, Maison Saint-Gabriel, located in Pointe-Saint-Charles, wanted to add a glass wall. The artist Ali Ataogul designed the work while the Studio du verre took care of the realization.
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PHOTO FROM THE BONJOUR QUÉBEC WEBSITE
Saint-James United Church, located in the heart of the Quartier des Spectacles, rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest, regained its splendor in 2006 after the demolition of businesses that hid its facade and its rose window. This was the subject of major work in 2013 when the artist Ali Ataogul worked on the restoration of 40 stained glass windows in collaboration with the Studio du verre.
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PHOTO FROM THE STM WEBSITE
History of music in Montreal by Frédérick Back, director of The man who planted treeshas adorned the Place-des-Arts metro station since 1967. In 2008-2009, the Glass Studio participated in the restoration of the 13.7 m long painted glass and wrought iron canopy.
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PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
In 1997, the Studio du verre made 36 stained glass windows for the Archambault store located in the corridor leading to the Place-des-Arts metro station. Installed in the storefronts, these stained glass windows feature shades of blue, red, green, yellow and mauve and highlight abstract patterns such as lines and circles.
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Mr. Scheckman also cites the twenty panels of four stained-glass windows in the Archambault store in the corridor leading to the Place-des-Arts metro station, “a simple style, but with interesting techniques”. However, the master glassmaker deplores the lack of respect for certain public projects. “Unfortunately, that’s the reality for artists. I understand it’s a store, but I pass and there are displays in front of the stained glass windows. They are not highlighted. It’s a bit sad. »
A stained glass window at home?
If you want to have a stained glass window made for your home, a preliminary search for images will be in order to see which style suits you best. The glass craftsmen will then design color models and then a life-size drawing of the desired stained glass window. If everything meets your satisfaction, you can choose the glasses with the craftsman who will design and install them.
Be aware, however, that the delays can be long due to the difficulty in finding craftsmen. At the Studio du verre, where we are currently training three students who are doing their apprenticeship, there is a six-month wait. It will therefore be necessary to be patient, but the wait will be worth it.