by Arlene Wright-Correll

Meet Stained Glass Artist Carl Correll

This year we have an opportunity to re-visit stained glass artisan, Carl Correll, owner and operator of Avalon Stained Glass School and Studio in Munfordville, KY. 

Originally he was a hobbyist oil painter, working on large canvases and usually with a pallet knife. Many of his paintings still reside in many New Yorkerís homes as that is where most of his art work sold. Now and then one will find one in Florida when one of the owners retires there and takes the painting along.

At one time he decided to take up welding and created incredible weather vanes using the purchaserís favorite theme as the design. A few years later he decided to create large copper garden helixes that twirled in the wind. He designed and created all kinds, 6 foot high ones, hanging ones; you name it he made them. A few can still be seen outside his studio today. However, the art and creation of stained glass projects has become his one true love.

Carl is a native of Scranton, PA and lived in New York from the time he was 6 until 1979. During that time he has lived in various places such as Hawaii and Japan. From 1979 until 1992 he lived in Florida and then after awhile to TN where he designed, built and operated a successful B & B, Campgrounds and Hostel for 6 years and now lives in Munfordville, KY where he operates Avalon Stained Glass School.

In amongst all that activity Carl decided to learn another hobby. The art of stained glass and before he knew it this subject basically took over his life. Though he knows the lead came method and has made many pieces, he enjoys the copper foil method best. He did both methods for many years before he decided to open Avalon Stained Glass School in March of 2005.

Prior to opening up the school he just quietly made windows, panels, and all kinds of things in stained glass which he either sold over the internet or to customers who found him and commissioned his work. During that time he continually heard from his customers that they wished they could do something as beautiful as the pieces he had made for them. Carl then decided that he would teach those who wished to learn, how easy and simple it was to make these works of art.

Since he has opened Avalon Stained Glass School he has taught many people how simple, easy and enjoyable it is to make these lovely pieces of art. Most of his students go on to have life long hobbies and a couple of graduates have opened up their own studios. He has even created an “Art for Youth” program whereby he teaches teens, ages 13 to 18, within 3 hours, all the steps of making 2 small stained glass projects, for only $49.00!

As an excellent and patient instructor he easily can impart his artistic talents to the student, thus allowing them to discover, usually to their own amazement, their own artistic abilities. He has designed his school to be a friendly and easy atmosphere to work in and he has also designed easy flexible prices (which start as low as $35.00) and hours to allow the students to fit it into their budgets and working schedules.

Between classes, Carl continues to work on his own artistic projects, commission work, or repairs and he himself is continually learning new techniques in this field. Plus he offers an extremely large supply of stained glass, supplies, and equipment for this area. He also offers glass etching and engraving. His latest project was creating a course for immortalizing your child or grandchild in stained glass. He just finished one of one of his grandchildren. He loves to create one of a kind stained glass art pieces such as his “Picasso in Stained Glass”. He makes stained glass fire place screens, professional logos such as Realtor© logos, Masonic Logos, water fountains, spinning garden wind dancers and traditional fan arches, windows and panels.

Carl is a juried member of the South Central KY Arts & Crafts Guild and is a Member of KHAT (Kentucky Arts Heritage Trail). He is also a certified member of EBSQ and all his work comes with an ESBQ certificate of authenticity.

He loves to give free demonstrations to anyone who wishes to visit him during his open hours which are Tuesday thru Friday, 9 am to 5 pm and Saturday 8 am to noon, CT. Come and see him at Avalon Stained Glass School, Studio and Art Gallery at 100 Dave Wintsch Rd., Munfordville, KY 42765 (270) 524 9567. His work can be seen at his websites which is www.learn-america.com and www.avalonstainedglassschool.com

Carl is the recipient of the Bowling Green Women’s Club Merit Award at the 26th Annual All Kentucky Fine Art Exhibition with his award winning work “Victorian Arch Panel”.

(Contact Arlene Wright-Correll at 270 524 9567 or email her at askarlene@scrtc.com  if you want to be next weekís column of Whoís Who in KY Artís and Crafts)