Photo courtesy Studio Place Arts Chris Jeffrey working on one of the stained glass panels. Chris Jeffrey, a stained glass artist who works from a studio at Studio Place Arts (SPA) in Barre, has completed a 3-panel, original stained glass work that he is donating to the visual arts center. The vivid, multi-colored, abstract work will be installed at the top of the front Classroom window to enliven the already distinctive, 120-year old commercial building that is home to SPA educational programs. The panel will be installed on March 11, 2009.

Chris was motivated to create an abstract stained glass piece for the building by his exposure to the many examples of abstract stained glass windows that he has enjoyed during travels in Germany. Stained glass windows with abstract compositions -- or nonrepresentational -- are rare in Vermont. At the same time, he was intrigued by the potential value of using bright, abstracted forms in the front windows to attract more attention to the SPA building by passersby.

His vision for the bold artwork was to respect the historical qualities of the SPA building and at the same time, acknowledge its contemporary use as a visual arts center.

The stained glass artwork includes 3 panels that will be installed side by side, which each measure approximately 18 inches tall x 30 inches wide. The two types of glass used in creating the work are mouth-blown glass, which provides rich, striking and vivid colors, and dichroic glass, which is glass that changes colors depending on the viewer's angle and the light source. The dynamic qualities of the mouth-blown and dichroic glass selected for the project enhance the energetic qualities of the piece.

The lines of leading between the bright, rounded glass shapes are flowing forms and possess varying widths. This adds movement to the piece. The glass colors range from hot oranges and reds on one panel to cooler purples and blues on another. According to Jeffrey, the piece is meant to be interactive and attract peoples' attention. Even in darkness, viewers will be drawn to the mirror-like qualities of the circles of dichroic glass used in the piece.

"What I love about stained glass is how the glass interacts with space," noted Chris Jeffrey. "When sun hits it, colors are projected into the room and this will engage people as it becomes a part of the room."

Chris has been a studio artist at SPA since the organization opened its doors in 2000. He decided to get a studio at SPA because he, "was impressed with the spirit and camaraderie" that he experienced at SPA during a visit while the historic building was being restored from a major fire.

"We are thrilled that Chris has made these beautiful stained glass windows for SPA, said Sue Higby, Executive Director. "His artistic sensibilities will help us to make an unmistakable visual statement about the lively activities that take place inside our building."