Lighting Up the North

Charity Dakin’s Stained Glass Creations Charity Dakin Fine Art | Peace River, AB

The way light dances through stained glass holds a certain kind of magic—and Peace River artist Charity Dakin sure captures it in her work.

A lifelong artist and painter, Charity has spent more than two decades immersed in fine art, but her creative journey took an illuminating turn when she discovered stained glass.

“I took my first stained glass class just for fun,” said Dakin. “My husband encouraged me to get out of the house and do something for myself. I immediately fell in love with the colours, the textures and the way the light comes through the glass.”

The Peace River class quietly opened the door to the craft for Dakin. However, it was not until she raised her family in Manning and then later returned to Peace River that she found herself with both the space and the inspiration to return to stained glass in earnest.

“I’ve always been drawn to the industrial side of it—cutting, grinding and soldering,” said Dakin. “There’s something satisfying about the process. It’s artistic and mechanical at the same time.”

Unlike many artists who start with a pattern and select glass to fit, Dakin works in reverse. She lets the material lead her.

“I find the glass first,” said Dakin. “It’s so beautiful on its own that it often tells me what it wants to become. I’ll see a texture or colour that’s perfect for a bird’s wing or a forest scene, and I’ll build the design around that.”

Her work reflects a deep appreciation for nature. Many of Dakin’s pieces feature motifs like mushrooms, salamanders or forest floors. Sometimes they even incorporate agate slices of natural stone. It’s a style that bridges her phenomenal painting skills with her passion for the natural world.

“I think that’s what makes stained glass so exciting for me,” said Dakin. “It combines everything I love into something that changes every time the light hits it—art, design and the beauty of nature.”

Dakin’s current workspace may not be the traditional artist’s studio. Tucked between tractors and tools, she’s carved out a corner of her family’s shop to create in. This humble setting hasn’t stopped her from producing intricate and high-end pieces, including complex lamps and window panels.

“I love functional stained glass,” said Dakin. “Pieces that aren’t just beautiful but have a purpose like lamps or large window features. I want them to be part of people’s everyday lives.”

While her large pieces often find homes in galleries such as the Picture This! Gallery in Sherwood Park, AB, Dakin is also experimenting with smaller, more accessible creations.

“I’m working on designs for candle lanterns and bookends,” said Dakin. “They’re smaller projects, but they still have that beauty and glow. I’d love to provide more options for people who just want a little touch of stained glass in their homes.”

Although she hasn’t begun taking custom orders yet, the idea isn’t off the table. For now, she’s focused on refining her designs, developing new prototypes and spending time teaching her craft to others.

“I love teaching,” said Dakin. “I’ve taught beginner and advanced classes at the Peace River Art Hub, and it’s amazing to see people light up when they realize they can do it. Once you get the feel for the glass and the tools, it becomes such a fun and fulfilling process.”

Her classes are held a few times each winter. She offers introductory workshops as wells as specialized sessions that focus on skills like soldering or finishing techniques.

“It’s not just about making art,” said Dakin. “It’s about sharing it. There’s so much community that comes from creating together.”

For Dakin, stained glass has always been about more that the final piece, it’s about the connection with the art form itself as well as the connection with the people she gets to share her work with.

“I say if you want to get into something that’s artistic, just go for it,” said Dakin. “Everyone has a creative side. Whether it’s painting, baking or building something, find joy in the process and share it with others.

As she continues to explore new designs and expand her offerings—which also include her breathtaking paintings—Dakin’s work continues to brighten homes and hearts across the Peace Region and beyond.

Dakin’s stained glass pieces can be viewed and purchased in person at the Picture This! Gallery in Sherwood Park, or you can connect with her via her website at charitydakin.com

and social media.

Those looking to learn the craft can inquire at the Peace River Art Hub regarding upcoming classes and schedules.

By Amanda Hunter | Photography Submitted