SKILLED CRAFT: Stained glass artist Christian Ryan explains some of the artworks to Kim Harding during the exhibition at St Mary’s Parish Church, in Barnard Castle									     TM pic
SKILLED CRAFT: Stained glass artist Christian Ryan explains some of the artworks to Kim Harding during the exhibition at St Mary’s Parish Church, in Barnard Castle TM pic

WORKS by six of the country’s top stained glass artists have gone on display at St Mary’s Parish Church in Barnard Castle.

The exhibition forms part of the church’s Windows of the World Festival, which includes guided tours, workshops and activities.

Each day one of the artists is on hand to explain stained glass techniques.

Christian Ryan, who has been practising the art since studying it at Swansea College of Art 20 years ago, said the exhibition is exciting because people can see the modern work compared with the church’s historic stained windows.

He added: “It is good because people can come in and see how we are using traditional techniques as contemporary artists. Hopefully they will look at stained glass in a different way as they have a better understanding of the craft.”

He explained how the artists use hand-blown glass for their work and use a technique of gently removing a thin layer of colour on the glass to achieve different shades.

He added: “Interestingly, there are only four companies in the world that still make the mouth-blown glass.”

The display is part of a touring exhibition which was shown at the Stained Glass Museum at Ely before coming to Barnard Castle. It will be moving to Wharfedale next.

People can catch it at St Mary’s until Friday, July 23.