A custom stained glass window will soon become a permanent fixture in the Aspen Peaks School District offices when the district becomes operational on July 1, 2027. Timeless Art Glass, of Springville Utah, generously donated most of the materials, labor, and artistic expertise to create the window. More than a gift, the project gave school board members the opportunity to work alongside professional stained glass artists and experience the craftsmanship behind a centuries-old art form.
1. Designing the Window
The talented design team at Timeless Art Glass transformed the Aspen Peaks logo into a stunning stained glass design. When designing a stained glass window, each piece of glass must be supported by the surrounding structure, with the angle of each cut carefully planned to reduce stress on the glass and ensure the finished window will remain strong.
2. Selecting the Glass
Once the design was finalized, Board President Diane Knight worked alongside the Timeless Art Glass team to select the glass that would be used to build the window. Each sheet of glass has its own unique variations, and the individual pieces of the design are carefully laid out to ensure the colors, textures, and patterns come together to create the greatest visual impact.
3. Cutting the Pieces
Once the glass was selected, a high-pressure water jet cutter was used to precisely cut each individual piece needed for the design. By forcing a narrow stream of water through a tiny nozzle at extremely high pressure, the machine creates incredibly accurate cuts while protecting the delicate glass. Afterward, any pieces needing slight adjustments can be carefully shaped using a glass grinder to create a perfect fit.
4. Applying Copper Foil
On June 22, members of the School Board, along with Superintendent Joel Perkins and Business Administrator Bea Twede, gathered at Timeless Art Glass studio to take part in one of the most detailed steps of the stained glass process: applying copper foil.
Each individual piece of glass is carefully wrapped with a thin strip of copper foil, a meticulous, time-consuming process that requires patience and precision. The copper foil creates the surface that allows molten solder to bond the glass pieces together, creating the distinct lines that define stained glass artwork.
5. Next Steps
The window is still in production. In the coming months, the individual pieces will be assembled together using lead came—the H-shaped lead channels that provide strength and hold the artwork together. The finished window will measure 2.5 x 3.5 feet, and will feature a classic arched top, along with the words "Aspen Peaks School District Est. 2027" at the bottom. It will be fitted into a handcrafted wooden frame and permanently displayed in the future Aspen Peaks School District offices.
In addition to helping create the district's stained glass window, each School Board member had the opportunity to complete a small stained glass project of their own. Guided by the artists at Timeless Art Glass, they assembled, foiled, and soldered individual designs that they were able to take home at the end of the experience.
The project reflects the School Board's commitment to taking an active role in building the district from the ground up. Rather than simply approving a design, board members participated in the creative process, gaining an appreciation for the planning, precision, and craftsmanship required to transform a concept into a finished piece of art.
The experience was made possible through the generosity of Timeless Art Glass, a company owned by Ross Wolfley, Brent Best, and Doug Soelberg. Together, the three craftsmen have decades of experience creating stained glass for temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints around the world, including projects in Auckland, New Zealand, and the ongoing renovation of the Salt Lake Temple. For Wolfley, donating the window was an opportunity to support a community that has long been meaningful to his family.
"I lived in that school district for 25 years. All of our kids were educated in what was known as the Alpine School District," Wolfley said. "We are just as passionate about education as they are. We are grateful that there are people willing to serve in these positions, and it's a way that we can show our support for them and for our new school district. We're glad we could help."
Aspen Peaks School District is grateful to Timeless Art Glass for donating both the finished window and the experience of creating it.
"The team at Timeless Art Glass was absolutely wonderful to work with," said Diane Knight. "Not only are they incredibly talented, but their patience and willingness to teach us made the experience fun and truly memorable."
The completed window will serve as a lasting reminder of the community partnerships and thoughtful craftsmanship that helped shape the district from its very beginning.
