Conservation in Practice
Principles and Techniques for Stained Glass Preservation
Friday, July 25, 2025 from 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Join us at Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts to learn about the field of stained glass conservation with local conservationist Ali Wysopal. From their original manufacture to contemporary preservation efforts, this presentation will cover the development of stained glass, typical condition issues, and treatment approaches for historic decorative windows. Through the use of case studies, we'll explore some of the challenges conservators face when working with stained glass.
Light beverages will be provided. RSVP is not required, but encouraged. No entry fee, free and open to the public! Doors open at 5:30pm - we suggest arriving early to ensure you are able to park and get comfortable before the lecture begins!
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2213 Snelling Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Our entrance is facing E 22nd St, beside a garage door and a small parking lot that is free to use. Additional free parking is available on the surrounding streets. One block to Hwy 55/Hiawatha Ave. Two blocks to entrance to I-94.
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Nearest bus stops are #56504 (22nd St E & Cedar Ave S) and #16444 (Minnehaha Ave S & 22nd St E), both on Route 9. Nearest light rail station is on Franklin Avenue (Blue Line). Both stops are within a five minute walk from the studio. Two blocks to Franklin LRT Station.
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Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible restroom
A limited amount of wheelchair-accessible parking spaces are available in the lot in front of our entrance.
Please note that the glassblowing space (or 'hotshop') has very strong ventilation system which is used to manage the heat, so the environment may be somewhat noisy.
What is Stained Glass? Stained Glass is the process of cutting sheet glass into shapes and connecting them to one another with the use of solder to form a two dimensional design or image. At Foci MCGA, classes are taught in the copper-foil techniques and lead came techniques. With the copper foil technique a flexible copper tape is applied to all edges of each glass piece, the pieces are assembled together then affixed by running a bead of solder along each copper seam. With the lead came techniques, length of came (metal strips with a channel to hold the glass), are cut to follow the edges of each glass piece. Solder is placed at each came intersection to affix the panel together.