Fuquay Varina
North Carolina 27526
(919) 557-3700
|
|
301 S. Main Street Fuquay Varina North Carolina 27526 (919) 557-3700 |
| HOME | Products | Gallery | News | Contact Us | Site Map |
MEDIA ARTICLES "Not Afraid of Color" "Let the Light Shine" This article (and the photo below) appeared in the July/August 2005 edition of Cary Magazine, page 154. Download a PDF version of this article  "Not Afraid of Color" Written By Danielle Caspar Photography By David Sciabarasi
Roberts admits that the craft is not for everyone because there's more to it than one might realize - and a big difference between well-crafted stained glass and junk, she said.
"I teach students from the beginning to the end because I don't want to leave anything out," Roberts said. "I give them the full scope to do quality work. This is an art that needs to be done right." While her class is instructional, it is also social. On any given day, fellow crafters can be found in the studio working on various projects, discussing the news of the day, sharing tips, building shelves for studio supplies or just stopping by for a cup of coffee. "The people make this place special," she said. "I have a village of people that make this place work." In addition to teaching, Roberts also specializes in custom stained glass work. For more information, visit www.notafraidofcolor.com or call (919) 557-3700. Roberts is also on the board of the Fuquay-Varina Revitalization to facilitate business and residential development in the historic downtown area. For more information, visit www.fuquay-varinadowntown.com. The great cathedrals of Europe have it. Churches of today are filled with its beaming beauty. Antique shops proudly display its craftsmanship while collectors vie for highly coveted works of art. Stained glass and its charming beauty has been mesmerizing fans as far back as the 10th century, and it has found its way to downtown Fuquay-Varina, where it blossoms into its full flowering potential at a little shop known as Not Afraid of Color. Each piece of stained glass tells a story, one that shop owner Jere Roberts wanted to share. After taking a class in 2001, the stay-at-home mom of two was hooked on the craft and decided to go into business for herself with a studio that would welcome anyone to the art. "I had found my niche; I had found my thing," she said. After two years in business, she has taught nearly 600 students, some from out of state, through her three-week beginner class. The class meets for 2.5 hours every week and costs $55, with supplies included. By the end of the class, students will have a butterfly sun catcher and a new appreciation for stained glass art. (The next class starts in July, call for details.) Let the Light Shine This article appeared in the Fuquay Varina Independent, on August 9, 2006, front page and 3A. By Janet Kangas, Editor
Roberts also worked with Fuquay Glass to incorporate plexiglass into the design so that the
light would disperse the way she wanted it to. Jeanette Burlock helped with the design.
"It was a real team effort," Roberts said.
The finished product is 60 by 48 inches. "It was so neat for the church to be able to have stained glass where they don't have a window," Roberts said. Roberts has a studio on Depot Street. She offers classes for those interested in working with stained glass and she creates custom designed stained glass pieces for both homes and businesses. Warren saw one of Robert's custom pieces and the committee decided to give her the opportunity to make their memorial window. "She did a very good job, Warren said. "We're very pleased." There is other stained glass in the church, Warren said, but it is over 100 years old and not very colorful. "We wanted something with more color," she said. Other members of the church memorial committee are Norma Collins, Ruby McKinsey, Jerry Whitaker and Janice Whitaker. A dedication of the window will be held on Sunday, August 27, at 4 p.m., when a concert will be performed on the newly purchased Frank Bowman Memorial baby grand piano. There's a church down the road on 401 S where the light shines even on dark days. Thanks to members of the memorial committee of the Ernest Myatt Presbyterian Church and the talent of Jere Roberts and her team at Not Afraid of Color stained glass studio in Fuquay-Varina, there is a stained glass window in the church that has light streaming through it any time of the day. The committee was charged with an important task. The church wanted to find a way to honor in a tangible way members who have died. Faye Warren, a member of the committee, said, "we wanted something permanent, like a stained glass window." That seemed like a good idea, except that there was no window at the front of the Garner church. Jere Roberts of Not Afraid of Color didn't let that stop her. She and her team of designers created a stained glass light box that could be,-mounted at the front of the church and give the illusion of a window. "I told them I had never done anything like it before but I would be willing to try," Roberts said. Ray Wolf worked with her to design the light box. "He's who I call upon to do all my installations," Roberts said. The challenge was to find a way to light the window without causing the lightbulbs to overheat. "There was quite a lot of engineering involved. Ray figured it out," Roberts said. Feel free to contact us or call (919) 557-3700. |
Not Afraid of Color | 301 S. Main Street | Fuquay Varina, North Carolina 27526 | 919-557-3700 |