The featured artist for Studio Friday on Oct. 3 is Colby Community College Vice President of Academic Affairs Greg Nichols.  Studio Fridays, hosted by college art instructor Rebel Jay, are held the first Friday of each month.  The event will be held from 9 a.m.-12 noon and from 1-3 p.m. in Ferguson Hall, Rooms #502 and 503.  Nichols will be demonstrating the techniques to create stained glass works of art. 

“Everyone is invited to attend,” said Jay.  “There is no charge and materials will be provided for those who wish to create something.”

“I’ve been creative in one form or another since I was a child,” said Nichols.  “Some of my earliest memories involve taking old bicycle parts and building new bicycles, tricycles and carts.  My first recollection of more traditional art came in elementary school when Clyde Otipoby, renowned Native American artist, was my art teacher.”

Nichols also credits his mother for the artistic gene, and his office is adorned with examples of their creativity.  His fascination with art continued into high school when PBS aired “The Joy of Painting” with Bob Ross.

“Although my talents in painting were limited, I sought to learn other forms of artistic expression,” explained Nichols.  “I learned about construction and remodeling from a young age due to my parent’s interest in old homes.  When I first began teaching, my wife Melissa and I worked to remodel a bungalow house in El Dorado.  We later moved to Arkansas City and custom-built our home with the help of friends David and Jodi Combs.”

It was during this construction project that the Nichols formulated the idea of stained glass cabinetry.  Over the many hours spent building, it was Combs who convinced Nichols to pursue the art of stained glass and create the panels for their cabinets.  Combs was trained at Oklahoma City University where he later completed his master’s degree in Christian Education. He taught stained glass for Cowley College until ministry called him to a church camp in Oklahoma.  While at Cowley College in Arkansas City, Nichols learned the copper foil technique of stained glass, which he will demonstrate on Friday, Oct. 3.

Studio Fridays are funded by a grant from the Thomas County Community Foundation.  For more information, contact Rebel Jay at 785.269.7065.