The West Plains Council on the Arts will host a workshop to create a faux stained glass seasonal barn quilt decoration from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 14 in the Dogwood Rooms at the West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis St. in West Plains.
Cost for the workshop, conducted by local artist Tara Shahan, is $45, and includes all supplies. Organizers invite participants to “create the elegant beauty of classic stained glass using a picture frame, instant faux lead line and gallery glass paint.” They suggest the stained-glass quilt blocks will be beautiful in a window, or on a wall or mantle. The finished piece will measure 12 inches by 12 inches and be ready to hang.
Participants can choose from one of five available designs at time of reservation; designs are available to view on the WPCA Facebook event page “Seasonal Stained-Glass Quilt Block Workshop #2.”
Shahan was raised in a small town in the Appalachian foothills of southern Ohio until about the age of 12. Her upbringing included being a member in the Patchworkers 4-H club, where most of her projects consisted of food, sewing and crafts taught by her mother, a 4-H leader. Shahan won ribbons for her work at local and state fairs, including an award for Outstanding of the Day at the Ohio State Fair. Shahan now lives in West Plains.
“For the most part I have created things for my own home but now have decided to share those things that I create and cherish so much,” says Shahan. “My passion is for what they are calling these days rustic, primitive and farmhouse. Most of my items have been upcycled from a vintage piece or made from a common household item. This is what inspires me. Of course, I love frequenting vintage re-sale shops and antique stores for my inspirations, so most items that I make are pre-loved and show wear. DIY is a way of life in the Midwest. Thou art blessed who ‘rescues’ unwanted items!”
Space is limited, and a class scheduled for Sept. 12 filled up early, prompting organizers to offer a second class. Reserve a spot by calling Paula at 417-293-2325 or go through the Eventbrite page “Seasonal Stained-Glass Quilt Block.”
