Selecting a Studio

Once the decision to include stained glass in a building project is made, there are several important factors that should be considered in selecting the studio with which to work. The selection process involves many factors, not the least of which is the reason or reasons stained glass is being incorporated into the building, including:

• a request from the client to incorporate art into the building

• a need to control light

• the need to block an unattractive view while still admitting natural light

• the need to create an environment or mood

Different stained glass studios excel in different aspects of the craft. A studio that specializes in contemporary design may be ill equipped to create medieval-style windows. The initial interviews, in which the architect or client meets with representatives of several different studios, is the time to determine which studios are best suited to create glass for the particular project. The initial interview should include as much detail as possible about the project, including subject, specifications, style and budget. This is also the time to discuss how many different designs will be submitted for consideration in a particular project and what the fee for those designs will be.

Following the initial interview, the client should be able to develop a short list of possible studio candidates. Once this list is developed, the process of selection continues with investigating the studio’s background and past work. The client should request slides of work completed by the different studios as well as the design sketches from those projects. This allows the client to see the nature of that particular studio’s work and to determine how well the designs translate into finished work.

The Stained Glass Association of America stresses the importance of checking a studio’s references and questioning such factors as the studio’s ability to complete work within the given time frame and to work with architects and construction companies involved in the creation of the entire project. The SGAA also recommends checking jobs that are several years old to make sure the designs  have stood up to time, environment, building codes and standards. It is also important to check the studio’s finances to insure that the business is stable and able to support the project.

If at all possible, the client should visit the studios under consideration for the project. Insight into the company’s work procedures, abilities and particular approach would be best determined by observing the craftspersons and their working environment.

Having conducted interviews and researched the studios considered, the client is then in a position to select the studio to perform the commission. A contract should then be drawn up that includes a description of the subject to be addressed; specifications for the finished windows; the process of design acceptance; overall budget and payment schedule; deadlines for the submission (and selection) of designs, cartoons and the finished stained glass; and the responsibility of final installation.

With the field narrowed to one studio and a contract between the studio and client agreed upon, the process of design begins. While the design process will be unique to each commission, it will generally be a process of ongoing dialogue between the studio and the client to insure that the client’s needs and expectations are met. This is also the time to finalize the selection of the glass palette to be incorporated into the final project.

Once a design is selected, the process of cartooning and fabrication can begin. Cartooning consists of full-size drawings of the stained glass project which illustrate the placement of glass and the material which will be used to secure the glass in place, such as lead, copper foil or epoxy.

The cartoon will serve as the pattern as the piece is fabricated. Fabrication involves the actual building of the stained glass, using techniques appropriate to the project. While the finished piece may be quite large, stained glass is generally built in smaller panels, rarely larger than three feet on the longest side. This allows the installed piece to better withstand the stresses it will endure when in place in the building.

Installation should generally either be performed by the studio which creates the stained glass or be subcontracted by that studio. Stained glass that will have an exterior facing requires an airtight seal in the frame. If secondary or protective glazing is to be incorporated, there should be between .75" and 1.5" clearance between the stained glass and the secondary glazing; vents should always be incorporated into the design to prevent condensation and allow air circulation between the stained glass and its secondary glazing.

Before choosing an art glass studio, make certain that it is an Accredited Member of the Stained Glass Association of America. The studio’s accreditation is proof that it has met the SGAA’s high standards and is your best guarantee that the studio is dedicated to quality and workmanship

Current SGAA Fully-Accredited Studio Members
(as of the publication of Sourcebook 2010)

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Before choosing an art glass studio, make certain that it is an Accredited Member of the Stained Glass Association of America. The studio’s accreditation is proof that it has met the SGAA’s high standards and is your best guarantee that the studio is dedicated to quality and workmanship.

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