Greg Locke has been doing stained glass as a very serious hobby, and briefly professionally, for over ten years.

Together with his wife Tracy, he moved to Schomberg in the residence commonly known as Dr. Kay’s House, where he recently opened his glass works studio Gotham Glassworks.

The story goes that Tracy got a promotion in her company which sees her working from home when in town, but traveling frequently to the U.S. Greg was on the verge of finishing a contract position with Bell Canada and not wanting to continue his career in online web marketing, the “stars aligned” for the couple to move from their
downtown Toronto condominium to a country locale near the airport, but within an arts community frequented by the art-seeking public.

Built circa 1909, Dr. Kay’s House, as it is known in Schomberg, was “perfect” for the couple. It was “well-maintained and improved upon by previous owners,” comments Greg. “The house is wonderful
and steeped in charm, character and some history.”

“The house definitely hadmultiple uses!” says Greg. Dr. Kay not only
ran his practice in the house from 1909 to his death in the 1950s, he also acted as the area’s coroner and mortician.

The residence was in top condition, and the previous owners had turned the rear and front yards into “amazing gardens” which were featured in a 2004 Chatelaine issue. The gardens were “truly a selling point of the property that has sparked our new interest and required dedication to gardening,” Greg remarks.

However, Dr. Kay’s 80-year old horse barn in the back was deemed beyond repair and ready to be torn down.

Advised by their agent that tearing down the barn could spark local protest, the couple opted to restore it, and use it as Greg’s glass
studio.

It took the couple a while to find a contractor willing to take on the work, but eventually a Mennonite company rose to the challenge. They straightened the leaning barn, created new foundations, and finished the structure’s interior. Today, the barn includes a gas fireplace for heating, a new electrical supply, cable, phone, and data lines.

Gotham Glassworks relaunched in March 2008. The studio acts as both the place where he makes his craft as well as a gallery for viewing his window panels (hangings) and lamps (and on request also jewelry boxes, Celtic crosses, or other unique items).

Greg coined the term “soft gothic” to define his style, meaning a look, feel or otherwise gesture toward gothic or neo-gothic architecture and design, “but not so extreme you wouldn’t want it in your home.”

Soon Greg plans to purchase a glass kiln, and he expects it to “fundamentally transform (his) work” by allowing him to use the
modern technique of creating glass by fusing it together rather than cutting and soldering already-made pieces of glass.

“This method multiplies the flexibility and creativity I will bring to my craft,” Greg notes. “I can offer much more unique and exciting designs to the public.”

The couple plans on entering Gotham Glassworks into the King Studio Tour in 2009, and once the gardens recouped from the machine damages, the gardens too will once again be put on display in the
Township’s garden tours.

For more information, and to view Greg’s portfolio, visit www.greglocke.ca.