Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Wolkoff.
Hi Daniel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In NYC 1975, at 21, I was showing my India ink art Nouveau drawings to other people who like me were committed to LIJ Hillside Hospitol. I had taught myself to do these from my sister’s book of illustrations by Aubrey Beardsley. They pointed out that my drawings were like stained glass and that a patient named Paul had a studio and to connect with him. Paul was nice to bring me to his studio in Flushing, in his father’s picture frame factory. He taught me the technique called “copper foil” and I made my first small panel of my “Marine design”. Paul who was schizophrenic had a relapse and jumped off the elevated subway and broke both of his legs. To be nice I went to Elmhurst Hospitol to visit Paul. He offered that I could use his studio to continue but that to really learn I should go to his teacher Jack Cushen in Manhattan. I started individual al stained glass classes with Jack Cushen, foremost restoration stained glass artist in the U.S. I made panels with the “lead came” technique and a tiffany lamp with Jack, showing me “traditional technique”. I loved the way light goes through the glass, such a essential quality. I asked Jack how to get further with the craft, he said I needed to be in a studio job, up on a scaffolding in a church in Brookly, covered with dust and 120 degrees, and he directed me to the three NYC studios. I went to Rambush in the West village but they weren’t hiring. I showed my pictures to Durhan on lower Park Avenue and got a job at Durhan Studios, 100 year old stained glass studio. I worked one year for top artisan Paul Coulaz who had apprenticed there at 18 and now in his 40’s was the part owner, he had never worked any where else. His partner and top glass painter/designer was Lithuanian-American Albinus Elskus. Worked under Paul Coulaz for one year learning so much of the craft. I Moved to California and worked at Reflections studio and silk screen printers.. When I moved to Washington D.C. I did some woodworking and photo/graphics but started my studio Adams Morgan Stained Glass in 1989, It’s been 37 years including major commissions for Catholic University, Gallaudet University, Georgetown University and Smithsonian, numerous churches, residences, renovators, interior designers and architects.
Trained Hannah Bernhardt young DC fine artisan who after 5 years began her offshoot studio Capitol Hill Stained Glass. I am still taking commissions, restoring, framing and teaching apprentices.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I started my studio for a source of professional commissions and that has been very gratifying. The variety, independence and quality, but some clients have been difficult, but over all made a lot of excellent art.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Historic restoration of finest American and English stained glass. Top level technique and best work in the United States. Many DC, Maryland, and Virginia historic home, University buildings, historic churches. Top design commissions for architects, builders, and interior designers.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Life long artist, High School ceramics, taught myself India ink art nouveau drawing. Collages, job at architectural model studio, silk screen, poster design for National Mmarch in Central America solidarity, wood working, photography and photo lab graphics for exhibit specialist.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.adamsmorganstainedglass.com
- Instagram: dangoldon
- Facebook: Adams Morgan Stained Glass
- LinkedIn: Daniel Wolkoff
- Youtube: Stained Glass Restoration by Adams Morgan Stained Glass
Image Credits
1-Victorian skylight 1888 Mount Pleasant Mansion Hague Virginia restored
3- Daniel Goldon Wolkoff and Hannah Bernhardt at Adams Morgan Stained Glass
4-Reproduction of Victorian Transom for 1894 DC rowhouse
5-Fanlight restoration 1808 Georgetown residence Washington Bowie George Washington god son.
6-Restoration historic stained glass flora painted Daniel Cottier
2-Victorian skylight 1888 Mount Pleasant Mansion Hague Virginia before restoration
