Stained glass is a slow art.
In a modest brick building just off downtown St. Petersburg’s main arteries, light falls differently. It spills across long wooden tables, scattering in fragments of cobalt and amber, slipping between neatly stacked sheets of glass that lean against the walls. This is Glass of Life, a studio where stained glass is not only made but taught—where the shimmer of color and the quiet labor behind it become something that students, hobbyists, and artists can share.
The space hums with the low sounds of work: the crisp score of a glass cutter, the metallic snap as a shard breaks free, the faint hiss of a soldering iron pressed to lead. Instructors move from bench to bench, offering a word of guidance or a gesture to correct the angle of a tool. Students lean over their projects, brows furrowed in concentration, their hands steady as they try to coax order from fragile pieces. It is part workshop, part classroom, and part sanctuary.
Stained glass is a slow art. Unlike painting, where color can be laid down and revised, glass resists correction. A wrong cut means starting over; a misjudged fit can ripple through an entire design. For students, this becomes part of the lesson: the craft teaches patience as much as technique. At Glass of Life, the process is not hurried. Beginners are encouraged to start small—simple sun catchers, geometric panels—while more experienced students tackle complex designs that may take weeks to complete.
The teaching here is rooted in tradition but reframed for modern practice. Students learn to cut, grind, and solder, but also to think about stained glass beyond its medieval or ecclesiastical associations. Instructors emphasize composition, color theory, and abstraction.
The classes at Glass of Life attract a mix of people. Retirees, drawn by the promise of learning a contemplative skill, sit beside younger artists looking to expand their mediums. Some students arrive with a history in painting or sculpture, curious to see how glass might change the way they think about color and form.
There is a communal aspect, too. Unlike solitary studio work, stained glass classes often unfold side by side, with students swapping scraps, offering encouragement, or pausing to admire a peer’s progress. The atmosphere is collaborative, but it is also deeply personal. Each project carries the marks of its maker—an uneven line, a bold choice of color, a willingness to leave the glass’s imperfections visible. The process teaches not just precision but acceptance: the flaws become part of the piece’s character.
In the end, the pieces produced here are not just panels or windows. They are lessons fixed in color and lead, reminders that fragility can be assembled into strength. To learn stained glass at Glass of Life is to learn how light itself can be harnessed, framed, and transformed—and how, in the process, one’s own perception can be altered, too.
Located at 499 7th Avenue North in the Historic Uptown district, Glass of Life serves as both a stained glass gallery and instructional studio, offering a welcoming space for both seasoned artists and new learners.
What They Offer
· Two-Part Introductory Classes
Beginners can participate in two-session classes to learn the ropes of stained glass—from scoring to soldering—and complete their very own piece.
· One-Time Workshops
Ideal for a creative night out, date night, or trying something new—in just two hours and with all supplies included.
· Studio Time for Alumni & Artists
Graduates and local artists can book studio work time with full tool access. Choose from $60 2-hour blocks, multi-session packs, or monthly memberships.
· Custom Pieces & Commissions
Founder Jodi Chemes transforms personal photos—especially pet portraits—into bespoke stained-glass artworks. Proceeds support animal rescue groups.
· Wine Experience
Class attendees can enjoy curated wine selections on-site—or take a bottle home—adding a relaxed, fun dimension to the creative process.
Studio Hours & Booking
· Hours: Tuesdays–Fridays, 2 PM–8 PM; Saturdays, 11 AM–4 PM (text by appointment).
· Booking: Reserve spots for classes or workshops via their website. Beginner classes are available Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays $150 for two sessions, or $75 for single-session make-and-take workshops.
https://www.glassoflife.org/book-online
Behind the Studio
Jodi Chemes, a CPA turned stained-glass artist, began crafting glass pieces in 2014. Her passion evolved into Glass of Life—offering creative enrichment while supporting animal welfare through donated proceeds and custom pet-portrait projects.
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