THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 1, 1995 TAG: 9501010056
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WANCHESE LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
Long ago, in medieval Europe, stained glass was more than an art form. It took on a mystical hue, as the glass transformed light and shapes. Twelfth-century Christians saw the transformation as a parallel to the light of the divine word enhancing the lives of men and women as it passed through the human spirit.
Eight hundred years later, Ellinor and Robert Nick of Wanchese see the fusion of sun and glass and metal in much the same light.
``You just see that God is able to do anything, and that he's always there,'' Ellinor Nick says. ``The way he makes beveled glass, and the way the light shines through, it's a blessing.''
The Nicks share their blessing with others. They've been teaching students how to create works of stained glass for the last eight years in their studio in this tiny fishing village.
One of their students is Bob Nelson, a 69-year-old retired haberdasher from Richmond who now lives in Nags Head. He has turned a hobby into an income. He sells his pieces on consignment to shops on the Outer Banks.
``I'm retired, and it's a great hobby for me,'' he said. ``I've always liked stained glass. We saw this shop about a year ago, and started talking to Bob and Ellinor. I started taking classes last March, and have come every Monday since then.''
Nelson says a simple need fired his interest in stained glass.
``We wanted a lamp for the dining room table,'' he says.
In its early days as an art form in the 11th and 12th centuries, stained glass was reserved for the wealthy and powerful churches of Europe. Architects used the glass to illustrate Biblical scenes or depict bishops or cardinals.
A shroud of mystery hangs over the origins of the art form. The earliest evidence of stained glass comes from the 11th century in miniature paintings. The earliest known representation is The Wissembourg Disk with the head of Christ in the time of Charlemagne. Stained glass moved to the backwaters of artistic thought after reaching its peak in the 12th century.
In the late 19th century, Louis Tiffany, son of the famous jeweler, resurrected the form using copper, glass and lead to craft his famous lamps.
Stained glass is still popular in churches, but it has become a more common sight as part of home decorating. The Nicks have done a number of pieces for homes, including a 44-by-44-inch sailfish for a home in the nearby Pirate's Cove development. They have also designed windows for Grace Lutheran Church inNags Head, and for the Corolla Chapel.
``It's so beautiful,'' said Nick. ``Plus it's a very simple art. It's not hard as long as you have the right tools.''
Getting started can cost $300 to $500, but as hobbies go, Nelson said, it's relatively inexpensive.
``A lot of people might say that's expensive,'' he said. ``But have you priced a new set of golf clubs lately?''
Pieces by the Nicks and their students have gone to homes throughout the country and around the world, including Germany, Hong Kong, Belgium and Canada. A blue photo album holds photos and letters from students and beneficiaries of the Nicks' teaching.
On a typical session, Nelson and other students thumb through large sheets of glass, looking for the right color.
``It's addictive,'' Nelson said. ``You look at the glass, no two sheets seem to be alike.''
And just as no two sheets are alike, every finished product - crafted by different hands, eyes and heart with glass and foil, copper, lead and light - is unique.
``Everybody is capable being creative,'' Nick said. ``It's a real blessing to see someone discover that ability.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photos
DREW C. WILSON/Staff
For the past eight years, Ellinor and Robert Nick have taught people
how to turn colored glass into works of art, such as this lamp that
they are creating and the bald eagle panel, right.
by CNB