Stained glass masterworks


a student lays out the structure of a stained glass design

The colors in the stained glass artwork glow brightly through the windows of Art Glass Studio on N. Livermore Avenue. Especially at night, the beautiful interplay of light and color never fails to catch the eye. It certainly drew the attention of George and Sharman Wilson as they drove past the newly-opened studio last year. The couple had long admired the lovely glass windows on some of the old Livermore Victorians. On an impulse, the Wilsons walked into Art Glass Studio and inquired about custom work. Owner Roberta Jones was happy to discuss their ideas and quote a price. The Wilsons soon commissioned a stained glass window that drew its inspiration from Nature. The 2’x2’ wooded hilly landscape is now their pride and joy. “It turned out so well. We like it even more than we had imagined,” says Wilson. “It really enhances our home.”

Roberta Jones smiles as she recalls the look of pleasure on her clients’ faces as they view a completed piece. It is a long process, she admits. And each piece can be very challenging. But she is totally enamored by the creativity and intricacy of this craft. “From the very first piece I made, I was hooked,” says Roberta. This was back in the 1970s and she went on to open a business in Truckee, Ca in 1981.

In 1990 she moved to Livermore. She was so eager to continue mastering her craft, she commuted for three years to Scotts Valley to apprentice with a talented glass painter there. She was also raising three young daughters at the time. But her hard work and tenacity paid off as she learned the manufacturing and production side of the business as well. Over the years, Roberta continued to work at her craft. But being ‘mum’ was her number one priority.

However, in 2008, with her girls now grown and away at college, she began to seriously look for the right location to open a studio. She found it at the corner of Railroad Avenue and N. Livermore Avenue…a large, spacious place that’s ideal in many ways. “I have waited a long time for this,” says Roberta contentedly. “What I find amazing is that from day one, I have been so busy.”

an example of beautiful hand made stained glass, green grapevinew with purple grapes

Art Glass Studio offers a variety of services including custom work, classes, repairs, restoration and supplies. Teri Tith was the very first student here. “I wanted to take a class for years,” says Tith, who lives in South Livermore. “The timing was perfect!” She tells us that all beginners start with a small floral stained glass piece. “I fell in love with it as I went along,” says Tith. She is now working on her very first custom piece and hopes to eventually build up her skills to the point when she can design and make stained glass sidelights for her own front door! Roberta Jones is thrilled to be able to share her awesome talents with her students. As a 30-year professional in the business, she certainly has a great deal of expertise and experience in glass work. “Stained glass is a little engineered piece of art because you have to take into account the ‘cuttability’ of the glass,” she explains. She emphasizes the importance of structure, strength and reinforcement in the finished work of art. Students can choose from an array of classes including beginners and intermediate courses, box making, fused jewelry, sun-catcher workshop, creating mosaic stepping-stones and more. Kiln rental and studio time to work on any project is also available. Lectures for the hobbyist and serious glass artist are held on Wednesday evenings.

Jayette Williams first dropped in to ask for an estimate on a stained glass window. Roberta suggested she take a class and create her own window. Though Jayette claims she has no artistic abilities, she successfully completed the course and was later able to design and build a window, depicting a scene of Lake Tahoe, as a Christmas gift for her daughter. “Roberta helped me every step of the way,” acknowledges Jayette Williams. “She is very knowledgeable and a very patient person.”

Walk into Art Glass Studio almost any day of the week and you’ll see a group of happy students absorbed in the task of designing cutting, fusing and puttying their stained glass art. “It’s a nice gathering place,” says Roberta Jones. “The students become friends with each other.” There is certainly a fun, creative atmosphere around. Passers-by drop in to ask questions or browse the small gift shop. There are attractive stained glass pieces for sale. As well as sun-catchers, fused glass jewelry and a selection of glassware painted by Roberta’s artist-daughter. Occupying pride of place in the window is a large art-glass sailboat on the water…a piece that is Roberta’s favorite creation. “This one,” she informs us “is not for sale!” 

Philippa Coelho
Art Glass Studio
101 N Livermore Ave, Livermore, CA
925-447-1962, 925-487-1962

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