ADAMS Mass. — In addition to stained glass and glass mosaic classes, Mendel's Stained Glass Art Studio is now offering classes in glass fusing. 

 

Students of all ages work with pieces of room-temperature glass and then transform it into new permanent pieces of art.

 

The magic of fused glass is that it takes individual pieces of room-temperature glass and glass powers and then physically fuses them together in a high-temperature kiln. This specialized equipment was the focus of a just-completed fundraising campaign by the studio.

 

The kiln was purchased with the support of 51 backers on the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter. 

 

"It was exciting to see former school students, former studio students, and other friends come together to make offering more art classes in the Northern Berkshires possible," said studio owner Lisa Mendel. "In fact, we exceeded our goal by more than $500." 

 

With the extra funds, Mendel purchased glass molds and other specialty supplies that make it possible to offer additional types of projects.

 

The idea for the Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for the kiln came from Mendel's participation in the entrepreneurship program EforAll, which she completed last winter.

 

Mendel, a life-long resident of Adams, is driven by her love of glass and her desire to create new activities for the residents of the Northern Berkshires. 

 

"I love working with glass, and I'm thrilled that my community's generosity is allowing me to offer an additional type of art class in an area where such opportunities are in short supply," she said. 

 

Upcoming fusing classes include suncatchers, jewelry, and bowls. Scheduled stained glass classes include dragonflies, Halloween ghosts, and longer classes where students are able to pick or design their own projects.

 

Mendel's Stained Glass Art Studio, at 1 East Hoosac Street in Adams offers a mix of one-evening classes, four-evening classes, and special parties focusing on stained glass, glass mosaics, and now glass fusing for beginners through advanced artists. 

 

The studio's schedule is at https://www.mendelstainedglass.com/classes or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063680375132 .