By Page H. Gifford
Correspondent
Stained glass artist William White III was chosen to design the star that will perch on top of the Fork Union Christmas tree at the second annual Tree Lighting Event to be held Nov. 30, from 4-8 p.m. Nina Monroe, organizer of the event, promises family fun including caroling, carriage rides, kids activities, and more. One of the highlights is the tree lighting and the custom-made star.
White has been a Fork Union resident most of his life, growing up in Fork Union and attending school in Fluvanna, “eventually finding my way back as a young adult,” he said.
“ I’m super excited that Nina is organizing this new annual event, bringing some fresh energy to our little town,” he said.
White started working with glass at the end of 2016. He met a local stained glass artist and began assisting him in the studio.
“My tasks were basic at first—grinding glass, foiling it, cementing panels, and installing protective glass on churches. But it was the perfect setup to learn the craft,” he said. “When new projects came in, I practiced cutting glass, soldering joints, custom beveling, and flameworking stained glass into small leaves and petals. I discovered I had some unique skills for detailed work.”
Over the next few years, he took on a lead role in the studio.
“It finally dawned on me that I was officially a stained glass artist. I love expressing myself through color, textures, and metal, it feels almost otherworldly to others and is incredibly rewarding.”
His designs include botanical-themed residential commissions, like flame-worked Wisteria flowers on whiplash, with solder-sculpted vines and autumn trees with heavy, dimensional branches, sculpted in solder, with a few flameworked leaves blowing away in the wind. His work is delicate and flawless, showing his dedication and passion for his craft.
“The beauty I create, over hundreds of hours with my hands, inspires me daily with ideas for future commissions.”
A couple of years ago, White attended an American Glass Guild conference and met many fellow glass artists, which sparked his curiosity.
“The historical value and conservation of stained glass are generational and timeless.” Currently, he is working with Willet Stained Glass Studios, focusing mainly on the full restoration of stained glass windows in religious settings. He said he plans on building a studio on his property outside Fork Union to concentrate on custom commissions again.
Last year, during Fork Union’s Tree Lighting event, he approached Nina Monroe about possibly collaborating on a custom glass tree topper for Fork Union’s Christmas tree.
“I envisioned a Bethlehem-styled star, but with dimension and glow. In June, Nina reached out to me about creating the star. We exchanged ideas and, after countless drafts, I’ve designed what I think is a rather delicate and precious, white dimensional star.”
He adds that creating a 3D piece of art glass can be tricky. He began the project with a paper pattern and prototype to understand its shape and dimensions.
“We’re all familiar with stained glass lampshades, they’re typically made using a mold. But I’ve designed this star too intricately.” He said all 32 pieces need to be held in the exact right position while tack-soldering them together, and then floating solder over the entirety of the star. For structure, he added 3/16” bronze rods between the foiled glass. “This glass star has to withstand life on top of a 25-30 foot tree. I’m proud of this resilient, almost 3 foot piece of art glass.”
The star will be finished just in time for Fork Union’s Christmas tree to welcome it.
“In glass art, it’s often said, the project is halfway completed when the first piece of glass is cut. This star is a perfect example of that. Now that I’ve developed a taste for it, I’m looking forward to creating future stars for my charming little town’s Christmas tree.”
