Barbara Westfall Art Glass Design
  • Shop
    • Art for the Wall
    • Art for Unique Spaces
    • Gift Certificate
  • Services
    • Commissions
    • Consultations
    • Classes
    • Glass Studio & Gallery
  • On Display
    • Healthcare & Business Collections
    • Private Collections
    • Exhibits
  • Events
  • About
    • Barbara
    • Testimonials
    • Career as an Art Educator
    • Career as an Installation Artist
  • Press
  • Shop
    • Art for the Wall
    • Art for Unique Spaces
    • Gift Certificate
  • Services
    • Commissions
    • Consultations
    • Classes
    • Glass Studio & Gallery
  • On Display
    • Healthcare & Business Collections
    • Private Collections
    • Exhibits
  • Events
  • About
    • Barbara
    • Testimonials
    • Career as an Art Educator
    • Career as an Installation Artist
  • Press

GLASS STUDIO

Glass Fabrication

My design and production process combines research and experience with experimentation and discovery and begins when I view the glass for the first time. The sheet glass, produced by artisans in Seattle, WA, arrives at my studio in Mt. Horeb, WI in large, heavy sheets up to 48” in length. The glass is gorgeous! As I unpack the crates, I am inspired immediately by the colors and textures of each sheet of glass. In my mind, I have already begun hand-cutting, layering, and stacking the sheet glass pieces into forms and designs. Eventually, the panels of layered glass forms will be placed and fired in an industrial kiln to temperatures up to 1490°F.

Achieving the proper melt is both a science and an art form. To create a perfect melt, I must write a firing schedule that takes into account the interaction between the temperature and the form, thickness, and size of the art piece. To create kiln-formed glass, I use controlled heat to transform the layers of glass from a solid to a liquid and back into a solid again. The design and fabrication process can be both invigorating and frightening. I learn something new every time.


Facility

Barbara Westfall Art Glass, is located on a turn-of-the-century farmstead in southwest Wisconsin. My studio, a renovated 1940’s farm building, overlooks the Sugar River watershed, providing my guests and me with a constant source of beauty and inspiration. Originally constructed to house seasonal farm-laborers, my studio underwent a substantial renovation in 2014. The new 25 x 30’ addition, was designed with high ceilings, large windows and wired with amperage to operate and house an industrial kiln. The facility also includes a gallery space, where clients can view, enjoy and purchase my art. I offer classes and community art events at the studio. Call or email me to set up a visit, bwestfalldesign@gmail.com .


Gallery

The facility includes an art gallery, where clients can view and purchase art. I offer seasonal community art events. Gallery hours are by appointment only. Email me to set up a gallery visit, bwestfalldesign@gmail.com .

“I worked with Barbara on a commissioned work of art for my home. From the beginning, Barbara was attentive to what I wanted. She came to my home, looked at walls and colors and carefully listened to the intention I wished the art to serve. Barbara then met with me again to share sketches of her ideas and a color palette for the piece. She clearly communicated costs and the timeline for completion and kept me informed throughout the process. She finished the piece on time and on budget never failing to contact me if she had any questions during the making of the piece. She then delivered the work and hung it in my home. Barbara was professional throughout the process and created a unique work of art that brought the room to life. I highly recommend Barbara Westfall for commissions, as she is a qualified, creative professional who was a pleasure to work with from beginning to end.”

- Lori Nelson
Verona, Wisconsin

608.843.7515
bwestfalldesign@gmail.com

8328 Swan Road
Mount Horeb, Wisconsin 53572



© 2021 Barbara Westfall Art Glass Design

eNEWSLETTER SIGN UP