Stained glass mosaics at Janesville Public Library

There was a dangerously exciting, and safely supervised, art demonstration at the Janesville Public Library on Tuesday, July 15, involving glass and glass cutters, with beautiful results. Participants 12 years old and younger learned to make mosaics using stained glass; the instructor was  professional St. Cloud artist Laura Ruprecht. Head librarian Kelly Koplen let learners know the session was funded by a state program known as the arts and cultural heritage fund. Then she added, “Thank you for coming out; I hope you enjoy this because it looks really cool.”

 

Glass expert Ruprecht, earned her bachelor’s degree in art from the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph. It seemed clear she knew what she was doing; assorted pans with different colors of stained glass were set out nearby. Eleven children lined up around the table, each equipped with safety glasses, glass cutters, a small, black-lined piece of glass to glue the stained glass to, and a baggie filled with glue. Each young artist selected a picture–choices included Christmas trees, music notes, turtles, cats, dogs, or fish. The selected template was taped to the back of their glass, so the design was clearly visible. Pieces of glass were fastened down using the provided special glue.

 

With 12 different stained-glass colors in Ruprecht’s “glass buffet” to choose from, each child had a rich supply of colors and shapes to work with. Said Ruprecht, “Don’t try to cut the glass in a certain way; try instead to take the broken pieces and use them as they are to match your picture, just like a puzzle. When you try to cut them down you often lose too much shape and have to start over again.” 

 

 Said Ruprecht, “Right now I’m going around to every library in the Waseca LeSueur Library System and giving these classes.” She reminded a child to put their safety glasses back on, “I don’t want anyone cut but just in case we do have band aids.” Those safety precautions paid off because no children were injured, although some did walk away with sticky fingers.

 

Ruprecht also sent home some supplies for learners to use later: powdered grout, a sponge, protective gloves and instructions for finishing their pictures. There was also a backing for the mosaics so they can be hung on the wall. The grout will fill in the edges so the only light will be through the colored glass, which completes the picture. “But” said Ruprecht, “You must wait 24 hours until the glue is completely dry.” None of the children forgot their goodie bags nor their mosaics. 

 

More information about Ruprecht is available at lauralizmosaicbiz.com, on Instagram it’s @lauralizmosaicbiz.