In April, I ran some workshops in Butetown Community Centre as part of the Connecting Through Craft project with the Makers Guild of Wales. In these short, intensive taster sessions, participants learnt how to cut glass and create their own fused glass pieces.

It was great to hold one of the workshops in Butetown Community Centre having been shortlisted for a glass project some years ago, when the centre was being built.

Button Community Centre Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/butetowncomcentre

For more information about the project view: https://www.makersguildinwales.org.uk/butetowncommunitycraftproject-755723.html

Creating a fused mosaic glass tile with Bullseye glass

It’s been a busy few months, part of which has been visiting schools to teach primary and secondary students about stained glass, and how it is made, from design to finished window. The children learnt how to cut glass and had a go themselves, getting a hands on experience.

We went through a project I designed and made for All Saints Church in Penarth, looking at how I created the drawings, then the techniques and materials that were used, comparing them to medieval glaziers.

Many thanks to St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School and Llanishen High School for hosting me.

I’ve been visiting schools in South Wales for the last twenty-five years as a stained glass artist and have taught in Primary Schools, further and higher education as a qualified teacher. If you would like to book me in please get in touch and I can send you some information.

Cutting glass with Year 5 and 6 at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Penarth

“We all tried out cutting glass with Mr Ryan by using a glass cutting tool and breaking ‘grozers’ (pliers) to
break the scored glass along the cutting line. All pupils found the session really interesting to explore the
colours, shapes and techniques involved in such beautiful pieces of art. Diolch yn fawr Mr Ryan.”

— St from St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Penarth

It's been a busy few months including visiting @stjpenarth at the end of Feb. Fabulous being with Yr 5 and 6 teaching how stained glass is made! #stainedglass @BSMGP @WorshipGlaziers @ArtSwansea https://t.co/b4kuh5tqLh
— Christian Ryan (@ChristianPRyan) April 16, 2024

Twitter Post about workshop in St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Penarth