‘Going to miss the social aspect’: Stephanie’s Glass and Arts Studio closing up 2nd Avenue shop

Stephanie’s Glass and Art Studio will be closing up shop on 2nd Avenue this spring after over two decades in the space.

Stephanie Rogers has been practicing her craft in the studio for over 21 years. She said she was the first artist to open up a studio on the street.

Now, she’s decided it’s time to move the studio to her home in the Annex.

“I’m old enough, I get both my pensions, and I figured I’d just like to have a little bit more time for me,” she said.

Rogers still plans to do custom work in stained glass and sandblasting glass, as well as repairs and restorations, “the way I’ve always done.” However, things like front door panels and large sandblasted commissions will be off the table.

Rogers, who has been doing stained glass work for over 45 years, recalled moving to Fernie from Ottawa 30 years ago. For nine years, she worked at the front desk of the Griz Inn.

But, thanks to her brother, who then owned the building where her studio has sat for over two decades, she was given the opportunity to have a space to pursue her craft.

When The Free Press spoke with Rogers in her studio, she was working on a window for a couple in Sparwood, who had requested a piece with a sunset, coniferous forest, a red tailed hawk, a waterfall, a bumble bee, some wildflowers and a hummingbird.

“I just love what I do,” she said.

She said it was “really cool” to have a space on 2nd Avenue, where people could come by for a chat, and to see the work she was doing first-hand.

“It’s a tough decision, because I like the space and I like people coming in.”

“I know I’m going to miss the social aspect of it,” she said, adding that her home studio work will be by appointment.

“If they stop in, I might not be there. I might be out hiking or something like that.”

The plan is to close up shop around June 10. Painter Tessa Stanley, who she has shared the space with for about a year, will be moving down the street, to Studio 562, according to Rogers.

The lease was not able to be renewed as the landlady plans to carry out major renovations.

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