Local stained-glass artist opens downtown studio, workshop

Glass of Life has soft opened at 499 7th Avenue North, formerly The Studieaux, across from Round Lake in Historic Uptown | St Pete Rising

With its abundance of murals and museums, St. Petersburg has long been considered one of the artsier cities in Florida. But until recently, with the soft opening of Glass of Life at 499 7th Avenue North, across from Round Lake in Historic Uptown, stained-glass art and artists have not had a large presence in the city’s art scene.

Owner Jodi Chemes is a certified public accountant by trade but has been making stained-glass art as a hobby since 2014. About three years ago she began to sell her artwork, with pieces going for anywhere from $50 to more than $1,000, and then she would donate the profits to local animal shelters and animal rescue groups such as Pet Pal Animal Shelter and Friends of Strays.

For her workshop, Chemes used space in a commercial building she owns at 4116 8th Avenue South, but last year she began to look for a more visible space to showcase her work and offer classes.

She exhibited her wares at some art markets but because the pieces are so fragile and difficult to transport, she wanted a permanent, brick-and-mortar location. That led her to open Glass of Life.

Owner Jodi Chemes is a certified public accountant by trade but has been making stained-glass art as a hobby since 2014 | Glass of Life

“I wanted a spot where people can visit that's easy to get to,” Chemes said in an interview with St. Pete Rising. “This has got visibility, it's easy to get to, and there's good parking.”

A grand opening celebration will likely be held in late February, she added, but the business is currently open with limited hours and is offering stained-glass classes.

The first class is planned for Saturday, January 20th. Students will be able to pick out their design, glass, size, and other specifications and will learn how to score and break glass, grind, foil, and solder.

Glass of Life’s stained-glass art classes cost $150 per person. For that price, you get two two-hour sessions and all materials are included.

“I think a lot of people would like to do stained-glass art,” Chemes said, “and until now there's been no stained-glass places in St. Pete. There was Grand Central Stained Glass & Graphics, but it closed. The only other ones are now in Clearwater and Tampa.”

Owner Jodi Chemes exhibited her wares at some art markets but because the pieces are so fragile and difficult to transport, she wanted a permanent, brick-and-mortar location. And so Glass of Life was born. | Glass of Life

Chemes also uses the Glass of Life space to do her accounting work, and with tax season right around the corner, she’d like to hire one or two skilled stained-glass artists to help teach classes while she focuses on her day job.

“I’ve already met a few people who are qualified to teach stained-glass art classes,” she said. “There’s someone who lives upstairs who used to be a stained-glass artist, and I had someone come in who works primarily in her garage. I don’t think it will be tough to find people to teach.”

Experienced stained-glass artists who don’t have their own tools and studio can rent workspace at Glass of Life for $20 per hour. Chemes also plans to offer a monthly rate for artists who want to regularly use the space.