Berwyn 50th Ave. Workshop

FUSING A PASSION FOR TEACHING AND GLASS ART

BERWYN 50TH AVE. WORKSHOP

Sharon & Gilles Doucet

By Talena Winters Photography submitted

berwynworkshop.com

m 780-618-6282

k glassart@berwynworkshop.com After 38 years as a Laboratory and X-Ray Technician, Sharon Doucet found her retirement passion and a new career—creating and teaching glass fusion and art in her studio, the Berwyn 50th Ave. Workshop.

Now she and her husband, Gilles, also retired, collaborate to create products ranging from bowls to birdhouses, and Sharon teaches the techniques she’s learned to young and old—when she’s not off travelling to places like Barcelona to see her daughter. How did you get into glass art and glass fusion? On a ski trip to Jasper around 2008, I took a break from skiing and wandered around the bottom of the hill. I found a kiosk where they were demonstrating lampworking— melting glass over an open flame to create small objects. I was mesmerized by the flow of glass and wanted to join a lesson, but their classes were full.

Later, I took lessons in stained glass, glass fusion and lampworking at a

studio in Calgary. Glass fusion was my favourite, and I decided I would like to have a studio when I retired. Since then, I’ve taken lessons in Calgary, Airdre, Edmonton, Vancouver, several in Las Vegas and New York, and I’ve visited many studios when travelling abroad.

Gil has had a woodworking hobby for many years. He now makes wood projects for the studio such as the birdfeeders, treasure boxes, stands and some frames. We contracted carpenter John Bak to build the studio in 2011, and Gil made all the benches, shelves and cupboards. We share the business and the work.

What do you love about creating and teaching glass art? My focus is to give people an opportunity to create a unique handmade article that speaks to the artist in them. Glass fusion does not require a lot of training, skill or time to be able to produce a piece that gives you pleasure. The atmosphere is peaceful and relaxing. You’re engaged and not thinking about other things. There’s no wrong way to do anything, and I’m by the participant’s side the whole time to give suggestions and help, if needed.

It’s a place where it’s okay to make mistakes because the kiln will forgive all your sins. Many of my patrons call it “glass therapy,” but it’s fun therapy!

Tell us a bit about your classes and art.

Normally, my focus is on teaching. I can take quite large classes—up to 25 kids or about 16 adults. If people phone, I can advise on how many I can take right now. I’m taking a short break from teaching kids classes. However, I’ll be taking commissions.

In Glass 101, I teach up to six students to cut glass and talk about its properties and the project designs.

First, you decide what you want to make—a panel, bowl, ornament,

etc.—and the size, colour and image you want to use. I cut your glass base, and then you cut and place the coloured glass into the shapes needed, gluing them to the base like doing a puzzle. Then, I fire the project in a glass kiln to fuse the layers together. And, by magic, you have a beautiful piece of art.

Class cost is dependent on the project made, which ranges from $8 for an ornament up to $120 for a Barnboard Bowl with many levels in between.

How can people find you? The best way to contact me is to text 780-618-6282, or phone and leave a message. Check out Berwyn 50th Ave. Workshop on Facebook, my website at berwynworkshop.com or email glassart@berwynworkshop.com.

Classes are scheduled by appointment only.