Stained glass classes take flight at the Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
How can you take home a bird from the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens? Take a nature-themed stained glass class and create one yourself.
Artist Tara Tonsor has led several stained glass classes at the arboretum, each with a nature motif. One of the most recent ones featured birds, but she’s also taught classes featuring mushrooms, spiders and bats.
Tonsor’s classes bring added variety to the arboretum’s amenities.
“We’re trying to look for things that are unique and kind of eclectic that might bring out new people here,” said Drew Ibarra, manager of the arboretum.
Because it’s a class for beginners, Tonsor pre-cuts the glass shapes for the pattern in multiple colors. People can mix and match to create the combinations they want for their pieces. The birds each had seven pieces of glass.
To create a stained glass project, participants wrapped the edges of each piece of glass with a special copper foil, brushed the foil surfaces with a chemical called flux, then used tin solder to permanently connect the pieces.
“It has challenging qualities, but when you break it down it’s really kind of step by step. Of course it’s creative and visual, and it is art, but when it is taught in a technical way, a lot of people can absorb that,” Tonsor said.
Due to the chemicals and the heat of the solder, the classes are only open to people ages 18 and up. Tonsor chooses to use lead-free solder in her classes but said leaded solder is more common.
Overland Park resident Sheri Sander recently attended a class at the arboretum with three of her friends. For her, the combination of the stained glass class and its location was perfect.
“I love crafting, and the arboretum is one of my favorite places to visit,” Sander said.
The group had previously tried decoupage, painting and pottery together.
“It’s always fun to explore something new, and you can figure out what you’re good and what you’re not good at. This is easier than painting,” said Kathy Mestas of Overland Park.
Overland Park resident Sandra Campbell came to the class with her daughter. The two had previously taken a stained glass Christmas ornament class taught by Tonsor.
“I think it’s fun, and I don’t want to buy all the supplies. This is nice to come and show up. She’s done all the hard work, and we can just put it together,” Campbell said.
Ibarra loves to see people enjoying themselves and returning to the arboretum for more.
“We do understand community is a big piece and being able to come here and find a group of people that have a similar interest is always exciting and maybe something that helps sustain people coming back,” Ibarra said.
For Tonsor, seeing students gain a skill and build confidence is the big reward.
“I get excited watching them light up at the end when it’s finally complete,” she said.
Workshops are planned for Sundays throughout the month of August. Go to the Arboretum’s website to learn how to register.
