Boland Studios

09/12/2025

For almost eight years, Boland Studios has been quietly working away on something close to our hearts. The “Studios” part of our name is no accident—it represents the two of us: my stained glass practice and my husband Grant’s work as a Newfoundland visual artist.

Today, we’re beyond excited to finally share our newest project—

The Newfoundland and Labrador Cultural Alphabet

The culture of Newfoundland and Labrador is vast, vibrant, and full of character—now beautifully captured in 26 unforgettable letters.

Inside this handcrafted box, you’ll find a set of 5” x 7” alphabet cards, along with a matching glossary, that celebrates the spirit of Newfoundland and Labrador. Each matte-finish card features a word deeply rooted in local culture and history, brought to life through original hand-painted illustrations by acclaimed Newfoundland visual artist Grant Boland.

Every card is a journey through the province’s past and present, sparking conversations, memories, and a deeper appreciation for the traditions that make this place unique.

Perfect for education, display, or as a keepsake, the Newfoundland and Labrador Cultural Alphabet offers a meaningful way to experience the stories, symbols, and soul of the province—one letter at a time.

We’re so excited to share that, along with direct purchases from Boland Studios (new website coming soon), the Newfoundland and Labrador Cultural Alphabet is now available at the amazing Home on Water shop in downtown St. John’s!

Pick up your set today for $39.99—and while you’re there, check out all the other beautiful local finds they carry.

06/30/2024

Completing anything in the medium of stained glass is a process. The stages can be long and arduous, depending on the detail, depth, and size of a piece of work.
The materials one works with are dangerous, in that they can cut you, burn you, and cause poisonous toxins such as lead and fumes to seep into your body. Sometimes as much as you are so involved, enjoying the the process, and can see the light at the end…you have to just stop. Walk away. Let your fingers mend and your body take a break and heal. Literally. Though believe me when I say, I’m not in anyway complaining nor whining about any of it. I love what I do.
It’s actually this way in all forms of art in their own right. String players learn to play until their fingers are so sore they have to stop, and often bleed until calluses begin to form. Painters necks backs and shoulders need to rest from the foreever stillness, and need to move from working in each tiny brushstroke for what seems to be endless hours at a time, sculptors, writers, performers, dancers, textiles, and so so many more come with their own challenges. These are just to name a few.
In my little world, as rigid as all of these materials can be, once cut, grinded, wrapped, soldered into place, and then finally patina’d and polished, the end result can be a beautiful thing. Which is what every professional artist hopes for. That it was worth it in the end. That sigh of relief upon completion, and the positive reactions of the people that commissioned you.
But, besides all of that, my point of this post is about the fact that I like to show the process. I usually send clients updates as the projects progress. I like to be very clear with my clients so they know. So they can see. So people can understand when it comes to art, and not only in the medium of glass work, but in all forms, there is so much more involved than what you see at the end. I like to show what it is people are actually purchasing, and what it takes to get it to the end result and why time is required, and why it may cost what it does.
This is a recent project that I completed this past week for some wonderful folks. Here are a few updates, or as I call it “peeks” into the window of my process that I sent along to my client. I’ve compiled them together for you to see.
I was happy with this one, and very much enjoyed every step from initial consult, design right through to delivery.


Forget Me Nots.

The tiniest of flowers with the largest of symbolism, and as pretty as they are….here in Newfoundland in particular, Lest We Forget.

I hope you are all having a nice weekend and thanks for following along in my little studio. 💕

02/28/2024

I’ve been pretty silent here for a while now.
I’ve been tucked in dealing with all the usual things life tends to throw at you while quietly working away in the studio on the normal things that have become mostly what I do, like salt cod.
Though sometimes you meet people who understand the process, and have a creative vibe enough to know to just let you go and do what it is you do. Creative freedom. I love that, and when projects come to me that give me the freedom to do what I do, it brings me immense joy. Usually this type of work gives me the most pleasure to do.
I felt the need to share this newly installed 6’ transom window I did for a lovely couple who gave me all the freedom I needed to create this tryptic. It faces the ocean and humpback whales are a part of this couples everyday life in the area they live. The three whales are representative of their family.
We were all very happy with the end result. It made me smile today to see it installed in its new home. It was good vibes all around.

06/08/2023

Hey Friends,
If your looking for something to do next week, come say hello and check out this upcoming show. Some beautiful work from a few awesome artists at The Emma Butler Gallery.

11/24/2021

10/19/2021

It’s a beauty day for an install!!

Here is the latest installation by Boland Studios.

Luckily for all involved the sun finally came out today to assist us during the install of this large window, and enabling our client to see it in all of its vibrant colours. We had lots of smiles on this beautiful sunny day.

This was a wonderful project to work on from start to finish.

03/25/2021

This little window used to be a fly screen in a very old home in St. John’s. We kept the original frame, removed the old screen, and replaced it with a simple design similar to the period of the home using vintage type stained glass to add a little colour without obstructing the natural light from getting into the small space. Simple changes to warm up a space.

12/25/2020

I thought I would share a special commission that was designed and produced here at Boland Studios this Christmas.
Seeing that most all of my work is culturally based, I couldn’t do a Nativity without adding a delicate touch of Newfoundland. The Wisemen are carrying the following; a piece of Labradorite, a salt cod, and an “implied” pot of savory.
I dearly loved designing and producing this project. I built it with the hope it will be passed down through the family for many years to come.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Tracie Boland

11/26/2020

This year, it’s more important than ever to shop local. I just did a quick zip around downtown to gather a few things and there are SO MANY wonderful gifts at the Craft Council, and also at all of the other local shops downtown. Customer service is brilliant, and everywhere I went was Covid conscious as well.

It’s a beautiful day out there, so if you have the time, you should take a poke around and do your part this year to help keep our artisans, musicians, writers, chefs, bakers, entrepreneurs, employees, and downtown shops overall in business. Local businesses are the heart of our city and culture, they enable our people to continue to create the beautiful art that brightens our world, and employ so many of our people.

Shopping with them, helps not only to keep their doors open and lights on, it supports OUR economy, and OUR people.

Local businesses are shipping also. So if you are unable, or uncomfortable physically going out to the shops yourself, you CAN shop online locally as well. I ship orders (Boland Studios), and I know lots of others that do as well. So check out their pages, websites and the like. It’s just as easy to shop locally online as it is to go to Amazon. It’s actually faster in most cases, and so much more personal.

We all loved and raved about being downtown this summer at the Water Street Mall, but if we don’t support these places now, and throughout the winter, there won’t be any businesses to go to next summer.

So in saying all of that, your business and support is always appreciated. Happy Shopping everyone, and stay safe!

Tracie

REMINDER

Our annual Christmas Craft Fair may be cancelled this year but that doesn't mean you can't shop fine craft!

Starting tomorrow at noon you can shop your favourite local vendors that you would normally see at the Christmas Craft Fair. Mark your calendars, set your reminders and support local artisans this season!

10/23/2020

Now that summer has simmered down, and everyone seems to be prepping for the cooler weather and the upcoming holiday season, we here at Boland Studios have been doing much the same.
This year, we are happy to announce that our Mummer Night Lights, Snowflakes, and Salt Cod Fish of multiple sizes are now available at the Newfoundland Craft Council Shop (The Pantry) on Water Street! There are also a limited amount of Snow Crabs as well.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CGr-8Jis4BL/?igshid=1gavdqv6aspdv

The shop has outstanding handmade products from Artisans all across our province.
This year, above all, is such an important time to support local business. Especially those in the arts, whether it be through the visual arts, craft, or music. It matters now more than ever.

Here at the studio, we will continue to take orders online and even offer, as we did last year, to wrap and ship for you. We can even add a Locally made Christmas card with a note from you upon request.
So if you have family or friends who won’t be able to get home this year due to the ongoing pandemic restrictions and you wish to send them a little piece of NL, drop us a line! I have attached a few images of our core items and will post more items as they become available.

I hope you are all safe and well.

Tracie

08/09/2020

There are heaps of Salt Cod Fish in so many different forms happening in the window at the Craft Council Pantry on Water Street, including my very own salt cod made of stained glass 😉.
If your out and about, you should go check it out! So many things there to brighten your day.

Support where it truly matters. Shop local.

08/07/2020

Hi Everyone!
It’s another beautiful day! I wanted to share with you all a little good news. My Mummer Troop of stained glass night lights (The Traveler, The Minstrel, and The Hobby Horse) and a variety of sizes of my stained glass Salt Cod are now available at the Newfoundland Craft Council Shop, and the Pantry on Water Street! So if you’re out enjoying the Water Street Mall, you really should pop in to see the beautiful variety of handmade items they have in their shops. There are some wonderful things there that make for amazing for gifts.

I am honoured to have been approved through the jury process and to be accepted amongst some of Newfoundland and Labradors finest crafts people.

Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador

Enjoy the sunshine everyone!