clink the link below to view the article in North augusta today!

     http://natoday.augusta.com/node/1250

Biz profile - Savannah Art Glass

By Crystal Garcia | Staff Writer

Posted September 25, 2007 2:34 PM

Designing stained-glass windows was not what Brenda Verdery-DeVaney imagined when she first considered a career as an artist.

Many career paths were pursued before Verdery-DeVaney established Savannah River Art Glass, located at 203 Jackson Ave., in 1980.

"As a kid I always liked to draw," she said. "In my teen years, I became more interested (and) had good art teachers in school."

However, her first job was as a dental hygienist. When she found herself more drawn to the dental drawings area, it became evident to her that she needed to pursue a different career.

"I went to (Ringling College of Art and Design) in Sarasota, Fla., and I loved it," she said.

After art school, fashion designer Tina Leser showed an interest in Verdery-DeVaney when she spotted her work at a batik show and invited her to work for her company, Tina Leser International.

"She flew me to New York and I painted clothes for her, which were sold in clothing stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Bonwit Teller," she said. "I was with her for about two months. It was quite an experience for a little North Augusta girl."

After her short stint in New York, Verdery-DeVaney then took a job in Costa Rica teaching art and drama at Country Day School before heading back to North Augusta to continue her career as an artist.

Upon reaching home, the first job she took was with a stained-glass shop in Augusta.

"One of my fields was Indonesian batik and the design similarities were there, so the transition from batik to stained glass was easy," she said. "I fell in love with everything to do with the craft."

After spending a few years learning all aspects of the trade, Verdery-DeVaney felt it was time for her to branch out on her own.

"I still love getting up and going to work," she said "All three of us (husband Blake DeVaney and craftsman Thom Carlton) are like that. It takes all three of us to do as well as we do.

"We take pride in our work and we don't cut corners."

Performing manual labor is a joy for Verdery-DeVaney, but unlike her husband and Carlton, she also draws designs and paints.

Savannah River Art Glass is available for commercial, residential and religious jobs.

Services offered include restoring stained-glass windows, hand-painted and fire glass, beveled leaded glass, mahogany doors, slumped and bent glass for lamps and China cabinets, etched and carved glass, installation of protective storm coverings for church windows and more.

"We don't do the craftier things," she said. "(Such as) sun catchers or hanging things."

One of the largest orders her company produced can be seen in the windows of Fairview Presbyterian Church on Carolina Avenue.

"They were the first church we did full-figure painted windows depicting the life of Christ," she said. "It is a wonderful place to take our customers to and show them our work. They've been a blessing to our business."

All of her success comes from God, Verdery-DeVaney said.

"I feel like my gift is through him," she said. "I'm a tool and he is the artist."

Seeing the smiles on her customers' faces when viewing her glass is what Verdery-DeVaney enjoys most.

"Working with the customer and coming up with a window that's going to exceed their expectations (is what I like doing)," she said. "At least, that is what we try to do."

Savannah River Art Glass is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. To learn more about the services offered, call (803) 278-2818.

Reach Crystal Garcia at crystal.garcia@northaugustatoday.com.

NA Today /

   * Business

© 2009 The Augusta Chronicle. All Rights Reserved