Artist and UUSD Member, Ron Parks, created a 46-inch stained-glass window using the artwork of former UUSD congregant and Pioneer, Gabriel Zepecki, as inspiration.

 

 

 

Creating the Stained-Glass Window, by Ron Parks

Beginning in the center of the design in February of 2024, the outline of each of the 381 pieces was copied onto clear polycarbonate film and cut to form a template. The template was then placed on the glass and traced with a thin Sharpie. Much of the glass used is textured on one side, so the lines are drawn on the smooth side and scored with a glass cutter. Since opalescent glass is often irregular in this thickness, breaking or “running the score” can be tricky. Once cut (and ground if necessary), strips of “H” shaped lead came are used to secure each piece in the design. The intersections of the lead are soldered to hold everything in place. The process is akin to cutting pieces of a jigsaw puzzle from scratch and putting them together to form the image.

The pieces of the circular zinc frame created at the beginning of the process are now placed around the edge of the piece. Once assembled, the window is “mudded” by forcing a viscous glazing compound into every seam of lead and allowing it to cure. The piece is then flipped over and mudded on the back side. Strips of zinc rebar are soldered on top of the seams that are most vulnerable to the effect of gravity, especially lines of lead that run from edge to edge, e.g., the horizon line between sea and sky. Without these additional supports, the 40-pound circle would eventually bow under its own weight. Black patina is applied to sharpen the lead outline of each piece before the entire project is cleaned and waxed.

Before it was installed, the window was on display at eye-level at UUSD on Sunday, June 9th, during a dedication of the window to the memory of Gabriel Zepecki as part of the congregation’s 25th anniversary. The image also provided a visual theme for the UUSD choir’s Music Sunday program, which featured an original composition entitled “Life’s Like Sand,” by Julie Keefer, UUSD’s Director of Music Ministries.

More can be read about this amazing project in an article by the Cape Gazette, by clicking here.

Please enjoy the images below, which can be viewed as a slideshow and enlarged by clicking any image.