Owners John & Jody Talk South Street Gallery

"You can't just stand up in front of the room and give a brief demonstration, and have them go and do, because people are not familiar with this... They've been told their whole lives, 'be careful, don't break the glass,' and here I am telling them to snap it on purpose," shared John Schum, co-owner of South Street Gallery, located at 39 N South Street.

The gallery and stained glass studio was founded by John, who began working with stained glass decades ago after learning the craft out of curiosity and competition with his machine shop buddies. Shortly after John and Jody got married, she also joined the business.

John initially started the business in the upstairs of the General Denver. Roughly 15 years ago, he moved to the current South Street location and purchased the building a few years later. Upon purchasing the building, John renovated most of the first floor himself using repurposed materials, and converted the upstairs into three apartments. Currently, John and Jody are converting the basement into a pottery studio that they hope to open this summer. John also made the stained glass awning outside the studio to serve as a visual landmark for the shop.

The two are currently the sole operators and teachers at the gallery. The gallery features student artwork with the goal of giving emerging artists a professional space to display their work. In addition to the gallery, the shop features a classroom area where John and Jody teach stained glass and fused glass classes. The space can host six students, ensuring hand-on instruction. John and Jody hope to foster creativity, confidence, and a welcoming environment for all. Jody stated, "One of the biggest things that we do is we encourage people... to have fun. We want want you to experience it."

South Street Gallery also offers stained glass repairs and has repaired stained glass at several churches in Wilmington, Xenia, Vandalia, and more. The shop is open from 12pm to 5pm everyday but Thursdays and Sundays.

To learn more about the shop or schedule a class, visit southstgallery.com.