From February 21 to March 28, a group of older adults aged 55 and up participated in a six-week Creative Aging Stained Glass Art Workshop, hosted by Emerald Hills Institute in partnership with the Utah Division of Arts & Museums. This collaborative effort supported lifelong creativity and brought people together to celebrate art and community.
Led by Salt Lake City–based mixed media and glass artist Kate Jarman-Gates, the workshop offered participants the chance to learn the fundamentals of stained glass art. Kate, who is founder of Clever Cucumber in 2021—a free community art studio for her neighbors. Her passion for accessible, community-centered art was central to the workshop’s success.
Participants began by learning how to safely use glass-cutting tools and explore basic stained glass techniques. They then selected personal designs, labeled and cut pattern pieces, and chose colorful glass to bring their ideas to life. Over the weeks, they carefully cut their glass, soldered the pieces together, and mounted their artwork in finished frames.
The workshop concluded with a joyful mini art show on April 11, where participants proudly showcased their stained glass creations to friends, family, and the wider community.
This program beautifully demonstrated how creative expression can thrive at any age, and how partnerships between artists, nonprofits, and cultural institutions can bring meaningful experiences to life.
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