Mandy Sirofchuck

Specialty: Glass

“I became intrigued with stained glass after writing a high school research paper on the great gothic cathedral windows. From then on, I was determined to work in glass. My background in graphic design – especially logo design, where you take a complex idea and simplify into into a symbol – helped me with designing for this two-dimensional medium. There are so many facets of this art that I love. First, the design factor, where I get to draw. Next, the cartoon step, where I paint my design full scale. The glass cutting and fabricating with lead or copper foil satisfies my “crafter” side, as I love to work with my hands. The more I explore with this medium, the more ways I learn to create with it, including kiln fired painting and fusing. No other medium is as influenced by light as glass. In a word, it’s illuminating!”

Mandy’s Biography

Since 1984, she has worked in stained glass, creating many commissioned windows and leaded panels and copper foil panels for private homes. Her public commissions include sanctuary doors for Temple David in Monroeville and “The Spirit of the Fort,” a stained glass window depicting General John Forbes at Fort Ligonier. She also was an artist in residence for Latrobe Area High School, where she taught students how to design a panel, cut glass, lead up and solder a panel. Most recently, she has added “illumination” to her windows, a centuries-old technique of painting on glass with a special medium that is fired in a kiln to make it a permanent part of the glass. Her work has been included in several juried art exhibits, most recently Art Of The State at the State Museum in Harrisburg, PA. She also teaches stained glass workshops at Main Exhibit Gallery’s art center. Mandy is the owner of Main Exhibit Gallery & Art Center, which she and her husband, Paul, opened in Ligonier in 1994. The gallery features works of art in all medium from regional and national artists. Mandy has a degree in Journalism and Communications from Temple University (1982) and continued her education at the college level in watercolor, graphic design, architectural stained glass, figure drawing, charcoal drawing and computer animation. Prior to opening her gallery, she worked in various communications fields as a copywriter, graphic designer and freelance feature writer for various publications including the Greensburg Tribune Review.