Gary
Smith Bronson became interested in leaded
and stained glass when he and his partner, Fred Wolfe, Jr., purchased a
victorian home in 1971. By 1983 they owned three victorians on the same
block, built in 1894
and having original leaded glass windows and attic skylites in better
or worse condition. In 1983 Fred designed transoms and lites for
two doorways in their home and Gary made the six panels needed.
Gary's background is
teaching,
school administration, retail, and campus ministry
administration. Both have experience in design and hands on
restoration of three Victorian houses. During 2001-2002, Gary
took a year off to work on their home and decided to restore all the
leaded glass in their home and add to the collection. Fred and
friends encouraged him to do leaded glass for others. Commissions
for the Green Line Cafe and several residences followed and the
business grew. In the summer of 2002, Gary accepted a position at
the Christian Association at the University of Pennsylvania, and
continues to do stained glass commissions.
The
cost for restoration is $80 to $200 per square foot and for new work
$125 to $300. More curves, smaller pieces of glass, or use of
cames
other than lead add to the cost. Straight lines and larger pieces
lessen the cost.
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