Pittsburgh Stained Glass owner Kirk Weaver catching the light with one of 30 parts of a restoration project.
Pittsburgh's reputation is that of a city built on steel and coal, but what many don't know is that Pittsburgh was once a city built on glass. Once boasting two of the largest glass factories on the eastern seaboard, glass was one of the beating hearts of the Burgh. Since outsourcing and the absence of coal energy, glassware lost its overt Pittsburgh companionship years ago. But its stained glass art lives on.
In this project, I chronicled the journey from flat and plate glass and glassware to the opulent stained glass that can be found in nearly any Pittsburgh neighborhood. What was once considered worker's housing for the blue collar residents still features elaborate stained glass fixtures.
For this encompassing project, I have interviewed stained glass shop owners, artists, cutters, artisans, historian, curators and collectors alike. Take a look at some of the pictures below. A finished project, with over 10 interviews, is located on the "More..." tab.