Marni Talbot Shpur ~ artist, photographer & writer

Phyllis Gardon started painting at the age of 5 and at age 10 Phyllis sculptured a human size mummy in a casket in which she constructed and painted Egyptians signs on the casket. The piece was discovered by a well know art critic and displayed at the Albright Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo, New York. Phyllis’s passion for art continued, along with her high grades she was granted a scholarship at the age of 13 where she majored and minored in fine art. Phyllis studied drawing, watercolor, oil painting, sculpture, pottery and photography. Phyllis was offered a position designing tapestry’s for Toronto corporations which she turned down and sought other employment

In the early1980’s the two future Stained Glass store owners met to paint with oil’s on canvas, each working on their own piece of art. Angela a natural artist, attempted her 1st Stained Glass piece, a front door window, she learned the basics from a friend and designed & constructed the window. This was done without the use of machinery such as an electric grinder. The only tools used were a glass cutter, grozier, lead knife and soldering iron. Intrigued with the art form, Angela & Phyllis took courses taught by some of the best Stained Glass artists and experimented for years with the method.

By 1986 Phyllis & Angela started their business called Images in Stained Glass taking custom orders and working out of a basement in Toronto, Ontario.

In 1997 Images in Stained Glass grew and a decision was made to expand, move the business and run it full time. A new location was established in Mid Western Ontario, outside of Markdale where a portion of the house was used for the studio. Custom orders continued to be in demand, as well instruction. Classes of a maximum of 4 people began along with supplies for sale. It was at that point when Images in Stained Glass business name changed to Garlan Stained Glass.

Due to high demand, in 2000 another expansion took place into a renovated bank barn.

Today people come from all over for a tour, to shop, to rent studio use or to experience taking courses @ GARLAN with up to 3 instructors per 12 students all working on different and diverse projects. GARLAN resides in a bright 1880 fully equipped rustic bank barn with beaming light from huge ceilings, the original beams and barn boards set off a great atmosphere to be creative in. There location is perched on top of a hill overlooking the rolling hills of the Saugeen Highlands. Nightly gorgeous sunsets, picnic area & scenic view through the day.

The GARLAN studio, gallery and store comprises of 2 lofts, one for browsing patterns with a kitchenette for a leisure cup of coffee. The second a design and entertainment area. People working, shopping for stained glass or visiting can pass the time by playing darts or pool. It has a sandblasting & kiln room for rental use, courses & workshops. The sandblasting room is well equipped with 2 compressors and cabinets, and a free form blast setup. The kiln room offers 3 kilns for any size project plus an area for cement projects. Customers on course or renting studio use have their own storage area GARLAN also offers a huge selection of glass, supplies and equipment for sale. As well, a gallery area filled with ready made art for sale.

In 2007 the 3rd expansion completed, GARLAN offering the largest selection of supplies & courses in the Grey/Bruce area at unbelievable great prices to retail & wholesale cutomers.

They also specialize in church restorations, residential & custom work. Working on 32 Churches, many Hospitals and Residential window’s. You will always find spectacular projects being worked on from new creations to century old historical restorations while browsing through the building. A wide variety of techniques are always underway.

At GARLAN, one of the owners or knowledgeable staff is always available to answer questions or assist with your shopping or designing needs. Also available @ GARLAN are highly skilled iron, carpentry and sandblasting master’s to assist in completing a full range of any Stained Glass project requirement.

GARLAN won a Business Excellent award & runner up for customer service for several years.

In 2008 GARLAN incorporated, it was at that point the business name changed to GARLAN Stained & Textural Glass Inc. where they provide a new line of architectural glass for architects, carpenters and builders.

This is a one-of-a-kind studio, store and gallery.

Garlan Stained & Textural Glass Inc. Offers to youth, adults, Church, Residential and Commercial clients;   supplies, equipment, tools, studio use, courses-private or groups, gallery art,
custom work, restorations, repairs, appraisals, cut to size architectural glass, outer window protection, designing, and demonstrations Glass techniques: foil, lead ,zinc, copper & brass came, fusing, slumping, bead making, sandblasting, painting, 3 dimensional, cold solder, cement,  mixed mediums, mold making, glass history & safety