Stained Glass
Julie Bortnick 

 I am a stained glass artist, teacher and glass lecturer living in an Elkins Park home whose windows and walls are filled with stained glass panels, mirrors, ‘mezuzot’ and ‘prayer pockets’.
  I have always been fascinated by the beauty of stained glass. In my many years as a travel agent, I had the opportunity and privilege to visit and learn from stained glass examples in many countries around the world. The stained glass panels included examples from different periods throughout the ages, in both secular and religious styles, from traditional to the new glass studio school of style. I have studied blown, fused and stained glass, but the stained glass medium is my clear favorite.
I have never copied a pattern. My pieces are mostly abstract in style. I use both the modern, copper foil (often called Tiffany) as well as the traditional lead came (lead channel) methods of construction. I create my works in both 2 and 3 dimensions.
What I find most exciting about viewing stained glass is its ability to look completely different when viewed by day or by night. Also…Stained glass is the only art medium (material) able to extend its inherent color outward from the picture to the surrounding walls of a room. A magical, constantly changing light show!  
I enjoy wearing my many hats…
Artist, teacher, lecturer and associate gallery director (Rydal Park and Rydal Waters community).
My work is in private collections in Israel, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, England Canada and the USA.
I have received awards from The Woodmere Art Museum and the Cheltenham Center for the Arts.