Stained glass requires skilled craftmanship

The mastermind behind the glass

By Christine Foell

Entering Mick Needham's downtown Chico store, "Needhams Stained Glass Studio" which is located betweenLaSalles and Betty's on Broadway, it is easy to see that this store is one of the oldest in Chico.

The rustic atmosphere of the old-theme western walls and worn floors makes customers feel as though they're going back in time and revisiting Chico in the seventies.

"Welcome to my paradise," said Mick Needham. "This is where it all takes place."

When passing through the different glass blown work Needham creates in the studio, it seems as though he lives mainly for this passion and every piece resembles a little part of him. "I value every piece I create," Needham said. "I know it's odd but I have connections with all of my artwork."

Working mainly with stained glass windows, Needham's artwork can be seen throughout Chico.

"Some of my work includes the window hanging above the Sierra Nevada Brewery bar, and churches including the Episcopal Church on Floral Avenue," he said. His most prized piece is hanging above the St. John Catholic Church in the heart of downtown, for all of the community to see.

The process of blowing glass requires the artistic imagination to produce the design and the engineering abilities to build the work so that it's both successful and practical.

"Stained glass has value to it," Needham said. "People like stained glass and find it appealing, though it can be expensive to purchase."

Needham, originally from Southern California, fell in love with Chico when he moved here in 1969. "I moved to follow the woman who is now my wife," Needham said. "I just thought it was a great place to raise a family."

He started the art shop with one of his friends in 1971, renting out a space on the second floor of the Phoenix Building, where Broadway Heights is today. "It lasted about six months and then I realized I needed a place of my own," he said. "We were different people and I wanted a studio that would just fit me."

Needham looked around for a studio that was in his price range and found the one he know owns today, he said. "Our building is the second oldest in downtown Chico to still have the same owner," he said. "Collier Hardware beat me out."

When Needham is not in his studio creating different artwork for himself and the community, he is teaching a class on stained glass at Butte College

"I really like teaching people about stained glass and different techniques associated with it," Needham said. "People really don't know a lot about the art so it's important that people would like to learn."

When glancing around the art studio there is so much vibrant color and dimension related with all the different windows. The studio is crammed with such imagination and creativeness.

"I am so fortunate that I have a job I truly love," he said. "It's a blessing that I look forward to coming to work and can enjoy my hobby daily."