Glasgow Glass Studio

Charles Provan

Painted stained glass

Community art projects

Project management



The Studio

After signing up for various courses and classes and being introduced to stained glass in 1993, I agreed to join the studio, then known as Architectural Glass Artists as Treasurer and part-time hobbyist.

Although I no longer class myself as a part-time hobbyist, I have so far been unable to shake off the title ‘Treasurer’.

With prudent management and cooperation among the Committee of Management, I am pleased to say that over thirty years later the studio has evolved and grown into possibly, one of the largest and most successful studios in Scotland made up of individual professional artists and part time hobbyists.

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 on my own and with various colleagues in the studio, collaborating with 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 as the ‘Additional Support Needs’ departments of many schools throughout the west of Scotland, groups of women victims and survivors of domestic abuse based in Glasgow and many local community groups. 

Healing Power of Art

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

Vincent Van Gogh

Working with pupils from ‘special needs’ departments at many schools and more recently with victims and survivors of domestic abuse, I soon learned that providing stained glass art classes was not only about creating some very nice pieces of work but was also about giving added value by way of art therapy. Art classes prove their worth  when those attending tell you that their confidence and self- esteem have been restored and that they are coping better with any mental health issues. 

Project Management

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 assist with the completion of the work.

The most recent major project was ‘Glass Walls’ whose original aim was to create a stained-glass installation in light boxes, depicting the sweep of progress being made in the justice response in Scotland to domestic abuse. 

The panels were made here in the studio by Brian Waugh and went on tour to various locations including, The Briggait,  Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, Glasgow City Chambers, The Crown Office and Glasgow Sheriff Court where they are now on show.

Commissions

Although my main focus is now 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, so, on occasion if I am unable to take on the commission or don’t have the necessary skills I do have the benefit of being able to seek assistance from one or more of the artists in the studio. This ‘spirit of the membership of the studio’ has helped me over the years to develop as an artist.