Glasgow Glass Studio

Charles Provan

Painted stained glass

Community art projects

Project management



Collaborative Community Art

Significant synergies were achieved by being a member of a local Professional and Businessmen’s Club and a member of the studio. For many years now, I have been working with various colleagues in the studio, and many different organisations including, local authorities, businesses, voluntary groups, and on a few occasions, The Scottish Government. As a result I have been able to provide many exciting and wonderful works of art for the communities involved. 

Tutoring

Whenever anyone can bring art into someone else’s life, it is a special thing. Even although I am not a trained teacher, being able to share knowledge and skills brings huge rewards for all involved.  For over many years now I have along with chosen colleagues in the studio, been running classes for groups such ‘Additional Support Needs’ youngsters, and women victims and survivors of domestic abuse. 

Healing Power of Art

A panel shown below was completed with help from one of my colleagues in the studio just before Lockdown. Each of the daisies however, was made by women victims and survivors of domestic abuse. These women attended Monday morning classes for what was supposed to be 15 weeks.  Such were all the benefits to the women, the course in fact lasted 40 weeks. If it hadn’t been for Covid I would still be there.

“Art is to console those who are broken by life”

Vincent Van Gogh

Project Management

As a result of my involvement with a local Professional and Businessmen’s Club and my association with the studio, for many years I have been involved in managing community art projects. This experience has brought many benefits to the studio and to the colleagues chosen to complete the work.

The most recent major project was ‘Glass Walls’ whose aim was to create a stained glass installation in light boxes, depicting the sweep of progress in Scotland to address domestic abuse.  The panels, made by fellow studio member Brian Waugh, have already been on tour to various locations including Scottish Parliament, Glasgow City Chambers and the Crown Office 

Commissions

Although my main focus now is on community work, project management, and running classes for voluntary groups, as a passionate advocator of stained glass, I do frequently get approached with enquiries for commissions.  We are fortunate at Glasgow Glass Studios in having a wide range of specialist skills and talents under one roof. This is where the true ‘spirit of the membership’ comes into its own and all commissions can be completed to the highest standards. This in turn has helped me to develop as an artist.