NAKSHI-GLASS STUDIO
ARCHITECTURAL ARTISTS
Nakshi Glass Studio, nestled in Karen, Nairobi, is a distinctive hub of creativity.
We craft everything from bold glass relief sculptures to delicate handcrafted jewelry—all centered on glass.
Our sustainable studio fosters innovation while welcoming individuals and students to learn glassworking skills.
Though modest in size, we’ve produced standout projects, driven by our rare glass fusing kiln—a legacy of the Kericho Cathedral project, where we crafted its final artworks.
We’ve also created stained glass windows for Francis Xavier Church in Parklands and designed four relief panels for the new museum at Uhuru Gardens, though they remain in concrete form, with molds ready for glass.
Our classes teach students to make jewelry, cut and lead glass, fuse panels, and sculpting.
Recently, we’ve ventured into Dalle de Verre for furniture and architecture.
We’re eager to collaborate with architects, developers, and individuals on commissioned projects, from design to installation.
ABOUT THE STUDIO
Our studio, originally Nakshi Glass since 2018 at Karen Arts Village, evolved into a fascinating space. In 2022, we moved to the Opportunity Factory compound, a vibrant location on a tourist route, boosting our stream of visitors.
A living legacy of the Kericho Cathedral project, the studio centers on our large fusing kiln, enabling large-scale works unique in Kenya. We focus on architectural commissions but explore a wide range of creations with innovative designs.
From the start, we aimed for a welcoming space where people can create with glass as the star material—jewelry, mosaics, bowls, and more.
In late 2023, an inquiry about "Dalle de Verre" glass slabs led us to build a small furnace for melting glass, allowing us to make blocks and recycle bottles—a reluctant waste in Kenya—into something useful.
Come pay us a visit and see for yourself.
The link below shows some views inside and outside the studio, it is always changing.
Contact Information
Wanja Gathungu
+254 0716 911146
artist@nakshi-glass.com
instagram - nakshiglass
UHURU GARDENS SCULPTURE PROJECT : A STALLED VISION
Amongst other artists, artisans and tradespeople and companies, we were involved in the Uhuru Gardens Museum Project.
Nakshi Glass Studio was commissioned to craft four striking glass relief sculptures for the Uhuru Gardens Museum entrance in Kenya, celebrating "Conservation" and "Peace and Unity." Though the project has stalled for over two years with no progress, we’re proud to unveil the works we created.
Conservation
Two float glass sculptures highlight Kenya’s elephants. One captures the joy of "twin elephant calves born in a national park, while the other, inspired by the famed tusker Satao, portrays the "Shattered Elephant"—a powerful symbol of vulnerability, with its form degrading across casts.
Peace and Unity
Two sculptures reflect Kenya’s harmony. The first reimagines the national flag’s shield and spears, foregrounding hands engaged in traditional tasks—tea picking, fishing, music-making—woven into a vibrant composition. The second features a spiral of over 42 hands, cast from real Kenyans, symbolizing unity across communities, with a subtle outline of Kenya behind.
Though incomplete in the sense that only one art work was cast using glass, these works showcase our artistry. Explore the full story and join us as we plan to exhibit them in 2025.
GIRAFFE AND ELEPHANT WINDOW
This beautiful joyous window was commissioned for this location. There was very little client information about theme or approach. One item that was requested was a bright African sun.
We agreed with the client that we would use a cut glass fused method to create this work giving a feel of the famous Matisse cut out drawings. This allowed us to leave a gap between each piece of glass creating a white line drawing.
As this is a staircase window, we felt it might be appropriate to visualize a giraffe walking past the space. The design was originally created showing the giraffe. After considering the design, the clients asked if we could include an elephant.
We were happy to do this and the final result is wonderful.
For further information and images from this project, click on the link here.
SHATTERED ELEPHANT
The “Shattered Elephant” is a striking conservation concept highlighting the vulnerability of these majestic creatures to modern threats and human greed.
Origins of the Idea
Invited by the arts committee for the Uhuru Gardens Museum Complex, a stalled yet ambitious project. The original concept presented to us was impractical to make in glass. This theme emerged after we started looking deeper into the theme. We crafted 90cm clay-modeled panels, turned into investment moulds, and fired them in our kiln using thick float glass. We shared these panels with the museum, sparking a commission for two conservation-focused elephant panels.
Developing the Shattered Elephant
We fused panels with float glass (causing the green tinge to the glass). For the museum project we were commissioned to create a large “Shattered Elephant” 2mts x 1mt, we decided to base this on the famous tusker Satao. In 2021, we began fusing the two elephant, conservation, themes, but the halting of the project left it incomplete.
We have since evolved the theme using transparent Bullseye Glass in several ways. The most recent panel showing the six stages if the form degrading in six phases was fired in February 2025 echoing our initial watercolor, urging protection for these magnificent creatures.
THE SAMAJ SCHOOL STONE MOSAIC PROJECT
In 2017, Nakshi Glass Studio in Nairobi (at that time the Encompassart Studio) was commissioned to create two stone mosaics for the new Samaj School in Langata, installed by March 2018. Designed by our international associate we worked with the mosaicist who made the large stone mosaic for the Kericho Cathedral. These mosaics were constructed in Kerugoya by mosaicist Githaka Karuri. The art works adorn the school building on two planes.
The rectangular mosaic spans 9m x 4m, while the Kenya-shaped piece is 4.5m x 4m. Incorporating symbols and the school’s elephant fountain, the second design added the motto “Education for Enlightenment.” Made from marble and granite offcuts donated by Maruti Mining and Hi-Tec Granite, these mosaics reflect a timeless, labor-intensive art form.
Inspired by Esteel Construction’s “Garden of Eden” mosaic at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Kericho, Manu Bhudia championed this medium for the school.
DALLE DE VERRE
Our studio adopted Dalle de Verre after a project request, despite no prior experience. Popular in Kenya, this method creates bold, powerful works and doubles as security glass—20mm thick, encased in a steel frame with welded reinforcement, and set with poured concrete for strength.
We now repurpose hard-to-dispose glass bottles, melting them into slabs for cutting into designs. Recently, we’ve crafted glass and steel furniture for outdoor use, and we’re open to larger architectural projects using this technique.
A Brief History of the Dalle de Verre Method
The Dalle de Verre technique, or "slab of glass", began in early 20th-century France during the 1930s. Pioneers like Jean Gaudin and Auguste Labouret replaced delicate stained glass with thick glass slabs set in concrete or resin, creating vibrant, jewel-like effects for modern spaces.
It grew popular post-World War II in the 1950s-60s, valued for its strength and versatility in churches and public buildings worldwide. Today, Dalle de Verre is prized for its sculptural quality and vivid light transformation.
JEWELRY
We’ve accumulated many glass offcuts from years of projects, some of which we transform into glass mosaics. When cut and fused, these pieces naturally form dome-shaped beads. Initially, we turned these beads into earrings, securing them to gold- or silver-plated pins. Over time, we expanded to more intricate designs, combining the glass with in-house worked brass to craft necklaces, pendants, bracelets, earrings, and rings. The brass can be gold- or silver-plated upon request.
These unique metal-and-glass pieces help raise awareness for our Nakshi Glass brand. We’ve collaborated with creators and designers to develop jewelry ranges, and our beginner jewelry-making courses are among our most popular offerings. Contact us for individual or group sessions!
SHORT COURSES
At Nakshi, we offer hands-on courses in glass cutting, mosaic, jewelry, and more, held in our fully equipped studio. From four-hour sessions crafting unique pieces to intensive 10-day programs, our artisans guide you every step of the way. Whether you're a beginner or diving deeper, join us to explore glass art and create something extraordinary. Get in touch to start your journey!
FRANCIS XAVIER CHURCH
Triptych St. Francis Xavier Church, Parkland, Nairobi
This project was to create a series of three windows high on the west wall of the church.
After several discussions with those involved with the Church themes for the three windows were agreed. The very long forms of the windows and distance between them make a unified theme difficult. We therefore decided on three themes following on from the crucifixion which is depicted in one of the windows in the sanctuary of the church.
The Triptych Design
This design is based on the theme of the Resurrection, the Ascension and Pentecost. They are out of chronological order but visually and compositionally, this was the best solution.
The symbol of the Holy Spirit represented by the dove descending in the center window casts its influence on all three panels.
ART WORKS - KERICHO CATHEDRAL
The concept of the Nakshi Glass Studio is to realize the legacy of the massively complex project for Kericho, Sacred Heart Cathedral.
The art works for the Cathedral were to utilize and develop the potential of Kenyan Artists and craftsmen. This group of artists were discovered and mentored by the international glass artist John Clark.
Our principal artist for the Kericho project was Florence Wangui who has designed and made the "Stations of the Cross" glass panels, interior and exterior, and the bronze relief sculpted panels for the main doors. These were sculpted by Florence Wangui and transformed into bronze by Rajinder Kumar Anand at Alchemist Workshop in Nairobi.
For the Kericho project we also accessed the work and abilities of mosaicists and sculptors. The mosaic was made in Maragua by Githaka Karuri and his team.
We had amazing technical support throughout by the Propolis Studio of Nairobi who were involved in many aspects of the Cathedral project and specifically with us in the construction of the steel doors into which the bronze panels are set.
The crucifix was made in Karen by Toumer Yeshim who developed this wonderful method of brass casting.
Cathedral Fly-over 2015
This was a drone flyover of the Cathedral soon after completion and dedication.
It gives a nice sense of the building in the environment of Kericho.
SMALL ART WORKS
This index shows small artworks that show a range of what we can do. Some of these works have been sold, some lost, some broken and some are available at our studio.
It is possible to come to the studio and make something. Recently we have worked with people who wanted to make small glass mosaics, two bracelets, one student who worked with us for several days who made a clay relief sculpture turned into glass and a small cut glass panel.
If you are interested in making an experience with us, get in touch.
TAKING CARE
The roof of the cathedral in Kericho had developed a black moss/mould on the north side. This has gathered slowly over the 7 years since the completion of the roof. It was so bad that the pattern could no longer be seen. We undertook to develop suitable methods to clean this huge roof with locally available labour from around the Cathedral. We were lucky to find one of the original crew who created the pattern in 2015.
