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Commissioning
a Window
As a
stained glass window is planned, designed and built, the
committee, builder or individual managing the process goes
through 4 main phases: Planning for the windows, choosing
an artist, design, fabrication and installation.
PLANNING
FOR THE WINDOWS
This
is a time to the people involved to gather information,
get organized and establish time lines and milestones for
the process. They can begin to discuss and think about what
kind of window is desired, the budget, resources that are
available and any limitations that may apply. They can also
begin to plan the overall process that will be followed,
including what method will be used to identify and evaluate
the artist in the selecting phase. By the end of this phase,
work responsibilities should be clear, and a budget and
preliminary schedule established.
SELECTING
AN ARTIST/STUDIO
The
process of choosing an Artist/Studio can go in different
directions, depending on the plans made in the first phase.
There may be a series of studio presentations, or an
open
competition can be held. A competition begins with an invitation
to stained glass artist to send slides of previous work.
The field is narrowed down to two to five artists, who
are paid to produce designs for the windows. They can
then
begin to make arrangements with the artist of their choice
for finalization of the design, contracts and schedules.
DESIGN
AND FABRICATION
In
this phase the the task of reviewing and approving the final
design is done and energy begins to shift to managing the
rest of the process. If not already done, funds will be
needed to construct and install the windows. Some projects
begin with money in hand; others may find it helpful to
have the final designs for the fund raising. This approach
may mean that there is significant lag time between the
completion of the design and its fabrication.
INSTALLATION
In
the fourth phase, the contractor, site supervisor and artist
set schedules for delivery, scaffold arrangements and installation
of the work. The committee, individual or group can then
begin planning for the installation and dedication ceremony,
if one is to take place.
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