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Wrenovations:

A Kaleidoscope of Talent in Robbinston

By Dawn Lamoureux-Crocker

Phot s by Dawn Lamoureux-Crocker & A lene W en

Just a stone’s throw from Mill Cove off coastal Route 1 in Robbinston, Mark Wren works from his cozy, home-based studio, transform-
ing a kaleidoscope of raw glass sheets into beautiful works of art.

This self-taught artist has been designing and creating custom pieces for over 30 years, making everything from window panels to
lampshades to full-length door panels and elaborate window hangings that catch the sunlight perfectly and radiate the colors through-
out a room. It is clear to see this art form has brought much joy to not only the creator, but to his many satisfied customers.

Mark found his passion when he was mentored by a New York City glass artist that he did some carpentry work for in the early 1980s.
In 1986, he made the leap and bought his mentor’s business and hasn’t looked back. As a former carpenter, glasswork wasn’t far out
of his former medium, but his new trade worked with delicate bits of glass that must be meticulously cut and worked together. Mark
explained there is a time consuming seven-step process from start to finish to create just one piece.

Mark was working on several pieces and discussing future plans for classes,
shows. and custom orders during my visit. His studio is a constellation of light.
Colors bounced off the wall in the sunlight and vertical shelving housed a rain-
bow of panels. Everywhere you turned his art enhanced doorways, windows,
tabletops, and so much more. The workspace was littered with tools of the
trade – specialty scissors, pliers, glass grinder, soldering iron – all necessary for
the labor intensive seven-step process. Mark’s hands are rough from working
with the glass and it’s intriguing to consider those same hands create such deli-
cate works of art.
Most of Mark’s clients return again and again. He has a broad list of clientele
that find him through word of mouth, see his commissioned work, or by visiting
him at the shop and various trade shows. Mark’s designs often evolve from
clients’ interests or ideas. One project Mark seemed particularly proud to men-
tion are the two panels created for the Downeast Heritage Musum in the border
town of Calais. He was commissioned to create two sunrise panels that are
strategically located on the third floor of the museum. One panel faces Canada
and one panel faces the United States. Mark has designed and created custom
windows for the Union Congregational Church in Grand Lake Stream, and a
window for the chapel at Downeast Community Hospital.

Above photo: a fully-paneled stained glass door leads into the studio
of artist Mark Wren. Photo by Dawn Lamoureux-Crocker.
Right: a stained glass pendant lamp would certainly brighten up any
location in a home. Photo by Arlene Wren.

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