Creating Works Of Art From Pieces Of Glass

The new Saint Francis Children's Hospital will have a beautiful stained glass window that's being created at <a href="http://www.tulsastainedglass.com" target="_blank">The Tulsa Stained Glass Company</a>.

Friday, October 19th 2007, 4:05 pm

By: News On 6

The new Saint Francis Children's Hospital will have a beautiful stained glass window that's being created at The Tulsa Stained Glass Company. The News On 6â€™s Rick Wells reports stained glass works are still created the way they were centuries ago and can still be enjoyed centuries from now.

Twenty-seven sections will make up the stained glass window at the Saint Francis facility. It will likely take an additional 30 days to complete that project. The design was created with a sophisticated computer program. But, the panels are still made the way they were hundreds of years ago.

â€œWe use this higher technology and bring it back to the old craft,â€ said Richard Bohm, founder of Tulsa Stained Glass.

He started Tulsa Stained Glass in 1975. Over the years, they have designed and created some beautiful stained glass pieces.

Richard Bohm says stained glass is perfect for doors and windows when you want light in, but don't really want folks to see in.

One of his early students is Nick Bernard. He's a retired land man from Amerada-Hess Oil. He learned to work with stained glass at Tulsa Stained Glass 30 years ago. Now, he helps out for fun.

â€œI enjoy it. I do that instead of playing golf," says Nick Bernard, stained glass artist.

He's working to recreate in glass an art contest winner's color drawing.

â€œThe glass has to fit into this came it's called," said Nick Bernard.

The came is made of lead. Then, both the lead and the glass are cut and trimmed to fit. They number the pieces of glass as they cut them so they know where they fit into the picture. Then, it's a matter of piecing them together.

â€œOf course, it has to be soldered. Every joint, every place where one piece of lead meets the other has to be soldered,â€ said stained glass artist Nick Bernard.

When he's finished, his work could last almost forever.

â€œThis will last 1000 years, presuming I ever get it finished," added Nick Bernard.

Watch the video: Making Works Of Art From Pieces Of Glass

To visit the website for Tulsa Stained Glass, click here.