Pane & Memory: Narrative Techniques in Stained Glass with Sacha Carlos-Raps

In this weekend course, students will explore how symbols, memories, and visual fragments can be transformed into luminous stained glass compositions. Using the copper foil technique, students will design and construct an A4-sized panel that holds personal or imagined meaning.

This course is open to all levels and blends technical instruction with conceptual play. Whether you're new to glass or ready to push your visual language further, you’ll develop both skill and storytelling depth.

Course Objectives:

• Symbol-Making in Glass: Learn how to translate abstract ideas, cultural motifs, and visual metaphors into stained glass compositions.
• Image & Intuition: Explore how to trust your gut and follow a visual thread—balancing intuition with strong design principles.
• Color as Feeling: Deepen your understanding of color theory and how hue, contrast, and transparency shape emotional tone.
• Pattern Development: Master the essential steps of translating an idea into a cuttable, buildable pattern.
• Traditional Techniques: Practice glass cutting, foiling, soldering, and framing with an emphasis on craft and care.
• Personalized Guidance: Receive tailored support to bring your vision to life, with space for experimentation and refinement.

By the end of the course, you'll walk away with a vibrant glass panel and a fuller understanding of how stained glass can be a vehicle for storytelling, symbolism, and self-expression.

Students will conceive their own design, and complete a panel up to 7.5” x 9” in size.

What to Expect: This is for beginners but  intermediate level students are welcome. There will be a balance between demonstration and practice time, and the students will create their own  designs or use patterns using colorful glass. Designs will be relatively simple and limited to 7.5” x 9” in size. To ensure students can complete their pieces. Clean-up time is included in the duration of class, and usually the last 20 minutes of class are dedicated to cleaning your workstation. Read more about how to prepare for class on our Registration Info page. 

While working in stained glass, participants engage in seated and standing activities such as cutting and assembling glass pieces. Handling glass and tools may require a certain level of dexterity.  Learn more about accessibility on our website.

Eligibility: No experience required. Open to ages 14 and up. 

We recommend registering for classes early to reserve your spot! We base materials, and teacher needs off of student enrollment. Early registration not only guarantees your spot in class, but also helps to ensure the class will run. Classes with low enrollment may be cancelled within two weeks of the start date of class. Contact our Registrar of Education, Ari Eshoo, at arianna@urbanglass.org if you have questions about the class or would like to arrange a payment plan.

Class Schedule

• 2 Sessions: December 13 — December 14
  Saturday, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm