Her Class is Glass

Stained glass, that is. Diane Flanegan started making stained glass art about 35 years ago, a hobby she found “life-changing” during her career as a social worker. “At the time I really got into stained glass I was doing a lot of medical ethics, really sad stuff. The glass was really a good escape,” she says. Eventually she met her husband, a professional oil painter, and began pursuing her art full time – both selling and teaching. 

After moving to Moore County from New Jersey, Diane quickly got involved with ArtWorks Vass, where she taught for five years. She sells her pieces in stores around the state, including at Against the Grain Shoppe, where stained glass cardinals are her best seller.

Diane says she could stay in her home studio from dawn to dusk, as working makes her feel most alive. “I go into a zone,” she adds. And at 74, she’s back in the classroom, this time at KidCentric in downtown Southern Pines for evening adult sessions. “I’m old, what else would I be doing? I get out and meet people, I laugh, it’s all very enjoyable,” says Diane. 

Classes typically seat about 10 people, and you’ll be guided through making anything from a bumblebee to a succulent. “People think it’s gonna be so hard and complicated and a few hours later they’re walking out with a new piece,” she says. “It absolutely thrills me when other people get excited about learning stained glass.” 

The next few classes are Thursday nights, March 26, April 2, April 16 and April 23, starting at 6:30 p.m. Stay sharp, sign up here.