The Craft: DC Studios

by Ronnie Citron-Fink , April 28, 2011

“Every project uncovers a new secret. It’s like a jigsaw puzzle,” says Doris Cultraro, stained-glass artist and owner of DC Studios. For over 30 years, Cultraro has infused her imagination, talent, and precise craftsmanship to the art of stained glass. If you’ve ever been enamored with the kaleidoscopic views through church panes, or the play of light through vividly colored windows, you’ve no doubt experienced the magic of stained glass. With an exploration of the color, texture, and opacity, along with a unique understanding and respect of an ancient art form, Cultraro has perfected the decorative art of fitting together stained glass puzzles to create masterpieces.

The roots of stained glass can be traced back to early Egyptian civilization. Stained-glass church panels portray pictorial art that, to this day tell religious stories. Around the turn of the 20th century, Louis Comfort Tiffany created translucent, opalescent glass landscapes etched with a milky, swirling mixture of colors depicting leaves, flowers, and sky. Many of the grand homes dotting the Hudson River Valley, with their marble and stone elements, were complemented with stained-glass windows.

Inspired by the masters, Doris Cultraro joined the scene in the 1970s. She worked as a restorer of glass during a time when the art and craft of stained glass enjoyed a resurgence. Stepping into Cultraro’s large studio in Rhinebeck, one encounters varying stages of the creation process. The walls are lined with a gradated rainbow of colored glass, and a “marble cake” of assorted recycled scraps with rippled lines that catch the light with sparkle and texture.

Across the region, Cultraro sees old windows crying out for restoration or repair, with sagging, buckling, and leaking. “The Hudson Valley’s stained glass heritage is forever in need of preservation.” Her commitment to restore and preserve the decorative elements of a bygone era is not Cultraro’s only mission.

Cultraro takes pride in the many new windows, panels, lampshades, and smaller commissions she expertly designs. When talking about the design process, Cultraro lights up. She loves the fluidity of working with clients. This piece of “puzzle” Cultraro likens it, “the CSI of stained glass.” Together, Cultraro and clients comb books, as they dig into the legacies of each piece. In newly designed pieces, she works with clients, interior designers, and architects to unify the key elements of a living space. Cultraro then creates a template on her computer using a CAD program. This allows her clients to view their piece in scale. Once the design details are fully fleshed out with the utmost precision, Cultraro begins the ardent task of creating original stained-glass art.

Giving back to her community has also been a passion of Cultraro’s. She is sharing her stained-glass passion with the senior residents at Arbor Ridge in Rhinebeck. An exhibit of her work is currently on display at this senior living center.

After experiencing Doris Cultraro’s stained-glass art, you may never look at a piece of broken glass in the same way again. The rich veins of secrets uncovered in Cultraro’s pieces are sure to become treasured heirlooms.

DC STUDIOS  21 Winston Drive, Rhinebeck
(845) 876-3200; www.dcstudiosllc.com