Learn how CPL’s latest Maker-in-Residence brought stained-glass art to the Maker Lab community.
Every fall, Chicago Public Library’s Maker-in-Residence program invites a new artist to share their craft, creativity, and curiosity with Chicagoans of all ages. Thanks to Library Foundation donors, these workshops remain completely free and accessible, opening the door to skills, tools, and artistic exploration many people might not otherwise experience.
The latest Maker-in-Residence, Molly Brodzeller, brought a kaleidoscope of color to the Lab, transforming it into a community-centered studio where participants learned, connected, and created through the timeless art of stained glass.
Illuminating Creativity
From the start, stained-glass felt like the right medium for them. They discovered stained glass in high school while exploring different art forms in classes.
“As somebody who is neurodivergent, clay wasn’t something I enjoyed working with texture wise,” they explained. “Once I found out about stained glass, I pretty much only wanted to keep doing the rest of my projects in glass.”
They added: “It’s a lot of fun to break the glass, and it’s an even more satisfying situation when you’re able to put it all together and finish that puzzle.”
Molly refined their skills and transitioned to creating custom stained glass full time during the pandemic while attending college virtually. Their portfolio includes replicas of Lula Cafés window display, unique jewelry pieces, and commissioned works that showcase their mastery of light and color.
Building Community Through Art
Teaching isn’t new to Molly. They’ve led pop-ups and workshops before, but the residency offered something bigger: a chance to share their passion with makers of all experience levels at Chicago Public Library.
“Each workshop demonstrated the entire stained-glass process from start to finish but focused on a different stage for hands-on practice—whether cutting glass, assembling designs, or creating wearable jewelry from pre-cut pieces.” Most sessions hosted 10–12 participants, with one class reaching 16. “Everyone had a blast putting things together and learning,” Molly said. “Each time I’m learning how someone else learns. It’s been a lot of fun to not only get to know everybody but get to know how people learn and how people engage with the product.”
Collaboration was at the heart of Molly’s approach. Patrons even contributed to their final project: “At all my Meet the Maker hours, I had the option for folks to cut a charm of glass. All those charms that everyone cut will be in one of the pieces that will be in my final window display,” they explained. “It’s a cityscape and then all of those charms will be placed throughout the cityscape.”
Another workshop produced a large stained-glass stack of books. “We did all of the cutting of the glass there together,” they shared. “I collected titles of books that the people at the workshop thought would be good titles to put in the window of the library, whether that’s representative of Chicago, representative of what people around us should engage with.”
Lasting Impressions
For Molly, the residency was transformative. “My workshops will 100% be more confident,” they shared. “I’ll probably feel better having a little bit of a higher capacity moving forward as well.”
It also solidified their place in Chicago’s arts community. “It feels so good not only for my resume, but just for my confidence as an artist,” they said. “Yes, I am being an artist in Chicago, and yes, I am starting to work with some of the institutions I know and care about.”
Above all, Molly loved watching participants discover the Maker Lab itself. “I thought it was so fun to look at the stuff that they’re making in this laser printer and other tools,” they said. “Being able to point them towards an additional resource that can be helpful. That’s what the library is all about.”
See Molly’s amazing final installation on display at the windows outside of the Harold Washington Library Center beginng November 22.
The Maker Lab is a donor-powered program where Library users of all ages and experience levels can experiment with a variety of creative media, from 3D printing and laser cutting to quilting and sewing, take part in workshops led by our Makers-in-Residence and other experts, learn about entrepreneurship, and connect with the community through creating.
This program is made possible thanks to Comcast, Exelon, Peoples Gas, and generous donors to the Library Foundation.
