Glasatelier Birgit Dopsch - Kufstein

A radiant array of colors that brings joy

The more freedom one gives an artist in their work, the more beautiful the artwork can ultimately become – this is what Birgit Dopsch, a glass artist in Kufstein, believes. In her glass studio, one can personally experience the beauty of her works. Depending on the sunlight, the brightest colors of the glass shine here and set the viewer's imagination in motion.

Birgit's work is not easy to describe. She doesn't paint pictures and it's not classical sculpture either, although it resembles both. She uses a combination of different glasses that have various colors. She cuts these with a glass cutter, or they come ground as glass granules in different grades. They are then applied to the base glass, which is either transparent or opaque. She uses extremely high-quality colors. Although they are quite expensive, they are produced in an environmentally friendly way and there is a wide color palette available. When everything is in place where Birgit feels it belongs, the glass is melted together in a kiln, which is programmed with a special firing curve. The heat setting also affects the final product. It is a constant process of trying out and experimenting. Naturally, experience brings a certain routine, but at the start of an order, the glass artist never knows exactly what the end result will look like. First, she creates a sketch that she discusses with her clients. “During the work, however, at some point, you enter a flow. You feel that it's working. This moment is always exciting with every heartfelt project. From then on, it might turn out differently than expected, but it feels right and coherent. Here, you have to learn to let go; then something wonderful can emerge,” says the artist.

The exciting path to becoming a glass artist
Birgit Dopsch recognized her artistic side at a young age. She attended a music-oriented gymnasium in Salzburg before obtaining her diploma in glass processing and design at the glass vocational school in Kramsach. After several courses on a technique called glass fusing, she specialized in it and enjoys combining it with other materials like wood or metal. Because the theoretical and historical background knowledge is not only very interesting but also has a significant impact on oneself, Birgit also studied art history at the University of Innsbruck, completing it with a master's degree. Since 1997, Birgit Dopsch has been self-employed as a freelance artist. Since 2007, she has had her own showroom in Kufstein, and since 2009, at the location where her studio is still today: Kinkstraße 34 at the foot of Kufstein Fortress.

There is no standard order
This is the exciting part of life as an artist: No day is like the other, and no order is the same as the previous one. The range includes private paintings and sculptures, graves, trophies for awards, crosses for First Communion children, and art projects for the city of Kufstein. A few times a year, Birgit also offers courses. Anyone who wants to work creatively with glass can participate. In Kufstein, Birgit feels very well taken care of as an artist. She continually works on projects for the city, where she can shape the region with sculptures, sometimes even nature. This gives her the feeling of directly impacting life with her art, which is something profound, as she finds her inspiration in nature, in the elements, and from the human body. Working on sculptures gives her particular joy since the desire for such large works of art has long been present. Here, she collaborates with carpenters and metalworkers. This brings her very close to sculpture, blending art with craftsmanship. A wonderful thought for the Kufstein native, and with the radiant colors of her works, she always feels she is conveying joy to people. For her, there can hardly be anything more beautiful.

Opening hours and appointment scheduling at: +43 650 7338070