Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison West.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
AS degree, 1998 with a Trade School Certificate in Fashion Design. In 1999, enrolled for Fall semester at the U of U to pursue a degree in Business Management. During that summer, I looked for a ‘sewing’ job in the newspaper and saw an ad for ‘stained glass manager wanted, No experience required. Will Train the right applicant’.
I applied, owner asked, ‘you have no experience, what do you feel would be in my best interest to hire you?’ I responded with my own answer and a question. “ I am trained, educated and experienced with textiles. Fabric, notions, supplies, tools and patterns. What is the difference to transfer what I know of that into working with another medium?”
I wad hired immediately. I worked gor that glass shop for 4 years and then opened my own stained glass store, studio and classroom in 2004.
Western Art Glass, my custom design studio creates one of a kind stained glass windows and art glass applications for your home, office, school or place of worship. We also retail supply and educate for the beginner through to the advanced craftsman in stained, leaded, mosaic and kiln-formed glass works. Instilled with a spirit of excitement and magic that will last throughout generations.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been the most adventurous journey. Every project, repair, restoration, each class has a story that I add my participation to. Including and not limited to helping those that want to make it themselves.
Stained Glass, Art Glass, Kin-formed glass is not a craft. It is a high-end art form. Every step takes time and utmost patience. And an investment in supplies, tools and materials to create and or have custom made.
Glass must be ordered in quantity and shipped by motor freight. It is costly to pack, ship, stock, supply and use. The economy is and will always be an obstacle. Including that we use caustic materials to create with.
Safety in all regards is required. Cuts and hazards are to be expected. Lots of band aids, always. Kiln forming glass requires the use of fiber refractory materials and densities of glass. You need to use a respirator and hepa vacuum for a clean studio space. Stained glass requires the use of lead. From the solder to the caming. We are one of the last industries to use Lead.
And although the glass is mostly and primarily made in the USA, the materials to create it, take precious metals. Yellow, Gold, Silver and Copper. Other raw materials to create sheet glass, are an import, so the unknowns with the current happenings of tariffs are questionable in daily and future raw costs.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a 2021 graduate from having had a scholarship with the Goldman Sachs 10K Small Business Program. I needed a job title that was more advanced than ‘a glass artist’. They assisted me in helping me realize that I am an ‘Art Glass Engineer’. Everyday with new custom commissions, restorations and repairs. I have to figure how to make it happens. Each project, each customer with their ideas, takes my assistance to figure out how to make it happen. This has taken me 26 years of learning. I embrace that the more I know, the more I crave to learn. This art form is unending. It is exciting. Everyday.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
The magnitude of artists and master craftsman in ALL Mediums that are here in Utah, not just Salt Lake. To refer, support and work with others is not just awesome. It is cool and amazing to put glass everywhere possible. Incorporate and work with other artists and combine mediums.
The Dislikes, the traffic for such a fast growing city. Makes for the cost of living and the cost of a store front to earn a living very stressful.
Pricing:
- Design Detail
- Colors of glass can vary in price
- Measurments
- Timeline. ETA
- Method of glass technique fabrication.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://westernartglass.net
- Instagram: @alasorusglassengineer – Allison is Western Art Glass
- Facebook: Western Art Glass, Salt Lake City
