Get to Know the Stained Glass Club

By Paula Lickfeldt

The Stained Glass Club was founded in 1991. The first president was Phyllis Colleran, who was president from 1991 until 1996. In the beginning, the Stained Glass Club shared a room with the Railroad Club. The Club had three tables, two grinders and a sink. The grinder could be filled at the sink but when the work was finisher, the grinder had to be carried outside and the water dumped into a nearby sewer.

During the early years, the members of the club did anything and everything to raise money.  If they were ever able to move to a larger space they would need more equipment.  In 2001, The Arts and Crafts building was going to become a reality. The Stained Glass Club had one member who had been in construction and knew what was needed to create the state of the art craft room that the club was looking for. In 2003, the new Stained Glass Club Room was opened.  Dave Tichey, donated the first kiln and that was the beginning of glass fusing for the club.

The art of glass fusing has grown in popularity over the years, and the equipment for use has expanded too. The club now has two large kilns, five small table top kilns and three medium kilns. Kay Bogart, a member of the club, liked glass fusing so much that she took it upon herself to learn everything that she could regarding kilns and fusing schedules.  She is now the kiln manager and is more than willing to share her knowledge to insure the end result of the project is what the artist intended.

Membership in the Sun City Center Stained Glass Club is open to all members of the SCC community association. The dues are $30 per year. When a person joins the club, however, they are required to take a series of classes that will familiarize them with all of the kilns, grinders and other machines available for use. The cost of the class is $30. Each member is asked to donate two projects to sell at FunFest or the Holiday Walk. With the money that is obtained from the yearly dues, new member classes, and sales, the club is able to maintain the equipment and replace equipment when necessary. With 184 club members, the equipment gets quite a workout.

Each year the Stained Glass Club has a juried Art Glass Show. The 2019 show will be in the Florida Room on Feb. 28 and March 1. This show has been very successful over the years as the community enjoys seeing what the members have created.

The Stained Glass Club also gives back to the community with donations to the CA Hardship Fund and the Mary Petro food and medicine fund for the residents of SCC and KP.

In the photo: Louis Salmorighi works on his design.