Painting with Light stained glass exhibition

An exhibition showcasing the process of creating stained glass panels is on in Berkshire at South Hill Park Arts Centre.

‘Painting with Light’ shows full-size working drawings, a selection of sketchbooks, as well as stained glass panels made by Caroline Loveys, who is the South Hill Park tutor.

The methods used to create a stained glass window have changed very little over the centuries. First a design is drawn to scale and from this a full scale drawing, known as a cartoon, is made. This is used to create the template so that pieces of coloured sheet glass can be cut to size.

Details such as facial features or decorative patterns can be painted onto the glass using a glass paint containing finely ground glass. This is then fired in a kiln to around 650 degrees centigrade, with some pieces requiring multiple firings. The glass pieces are then assembled with lengths of lead that are soldered together. Finally the panel is cemented with a linseed oil cement to make the panel watertight before it is installed in its final position.

Caroline Loveys studied Architectural Stained Glass for three years at Swansea Architectural Glass Department, now part of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, where she was a finalist in the Howard Martin Design Award. After graduating in 1994 she started her own stained glass business and set up the stained glass classes at South Hill Park which she still runs today.

She works on commissions for private houses and public spaces, both secular and ecclesiastical, nationally.

The Painting with Light exhibition is on until 8 January 2023 (10am to 11pm) at South Hill Park Arts Centre, Ringmead, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 7PA.

More information from Loucia Manopoulou on email: Loucia.Manopoulou@southhillpark.org.uk or look at the website.