Part 3/3 - Visit to the Stained Glass Centre in Cayton, North Yorkshire, by Becky
I followed Emma in to her studio to see some of the recent work from her students and it was really good to see such fantastic pieces of art work and imagination set permanently into glass. Emma explained a little about the teaching process and it’s clear that she gets so much out of seeing beginners
coming in, quite often with no prior experience and leave happy and ‘zen like’ as she put it! She said it’s good to see them transform from being hesitant to becoming fully engaged and to really relaxed by the end and it’s time to go home, more often than not, via the café for afternoon tea! Result! What a fine way to
spend an afternoon I say! I enjoyed the time me and mum went to one of her classes, we became so engrossed, so in her studio I was glad to see all the pots of
glass powder and couldn’t resist opening a few up, I have always been attracted to things that sparkle!
Mum’s seahorse coaster.
Her kiln is British, and has been on all day every day for nearly 6 years. It was made by ‘Kiln Care’ which she described as ‘one of the best businesses I’ve ever dealt with, they’re just so good’ who she is able to contact at any time if she has a problem, and ‘if you can stick with British built then you’re quite safe really’. She even names her kilns, ‘Geoff’ is named after a neighbour who even after retirement never stopped working and another one named ‘Val’ (after Val Kilner for those of you who are living the 80’s)
“‘It is good for your soul, definitely. I’m a great believer and I always tell people this on course ‘If you don’t do something creative, please try and do it, even if it’s once a month or something. I just think it’s good for you.’ ”
It’s a good place to visit if you’re interested in glass history, and you can see some beautiful pieces of work, including some antique pieces rescued from skips, from Churches or records of some in the past that were brought to them to renovate. When Val was still working she took on apprentices, and one of her students Sarah who then went off to have a family and also was teaching it at college and now works with Emma making lamps and mirrors which can be bought in the shop, along with Emma’s one off glass fusion art pieces.
What stood out to me more than anything, visiting and interviewing Emma and Val, was that they have huge hearts and they really care about people, encouraging people to do something creative as Emma put it ‘it is good for your soul’. I’m sure anyone who meets them or has classes with them will leave with a smile. And of course a piece of work worthy of displaying! I’d definitely say go see for yourself.
Our interview is in the video below -