The Stained Glass Project: Windows That Open Doors is a volunteer-run, community-centered after school arts program that provides Philadelphia public high school students with free access to the technically demanding and historically rich craft of stained glass. Each year, students from across the city gather weekly to work alongside artists, educators, and dedicated mentors, learning every stage of the stained glass process from design and glass cutting to copper foiling and soldering.

At The Stained Glass Project, we believe young people deserve access to high quality arts programming, meaningful mentorship, and creative spaces where they feel seen, challenged, and supported. That’s why our program is offered entirely free of charge, with all materials, instruction, transportation assistance, and meals provided at no cost to students. By removing financial and logistical barriers, we create access for young artists who may otherwise never have the opportunity to work in a specialized craft discipline.

Our studio is more than a classroom. It is a place of belonging, collaboration, and personal growth. Students develop technical skills, creative confidence, problem-solving abilities, and lasting relationships while working on projects that demand patience, precision, and trust in both themselves and one another. Participants also receive school service-learning credits, recognizing not only their artistic accomplishments, but their commitment to community engagement.

As a means of giving back, each student designs and makes a window each year in service to others. These windows are donated to nonprofits, schools, community centers, hospitals, houses of worship, and mission-driven organizations in Philadelphia and beyond. Through this process, students experience firsthand how their creativity can bring beauty, healing, and connection to the communities around them. Each finished piece becomes both a work of art and a lasting act of service.

We strive to serve as a safe, consistent, and inspiring creative home for young people across Philadelphia, proving that when students are given access, mentorship, and meaningful work, they create far more than art. They create purpose, pride, and lasting impact.