Bella Glass

Left to right: Shannon (w/ Audrina), John, Michelle, Jil, Dave, Lacey (w/ Augustino), Zach

History
Bella Glass Studios, Inc. opened its doors 11 years ago as a teaching studio and small art fabrication studio for fused glass and traditional stained and leaded glass. Shannon Abote the principal owner has been doing glass work for over 30 years and has studied fusing techniques in Portland, New York, Canada and Seattle. As time we on, BGS began to take on larger projects for designers and local artists for commissioned art projects. As BGS kept growing, Shannon brought her son Zach into business after finishing college at CSU in Ft. Collins. Shannon was then able to continue to grow the retail and teaching side of the business. Today BGS is the largest and most dominant retail and teaching studio in the Rocky Mountain region, warehousing full lines of glass and product and bringing local and international artists/teachers to conduct workshops and classes here at Bella Glass Studios.

Zach took over the production side of BGS and started doing larger and more diverse projects involving casting, sandblasting and stained/leaded windows for doors, windows, sidelights and transoms.

Although traditional stained/leaded glass is timeless, Bella found that the trend in glass for architects and designers was going the way of architectural glass. Architectural glass is now being used for structural, art and decorative applications in both residential and commercial designs. Architectural glass can be used for wall petitions, dividers, countertops, sinks, stair treads, and as you are probably aware of, the Grand Canyon Skywalk.

Bella Glass Studios has come up with some proprietary textures for cast glass and can work with most applications mentioned above. We are able to manufacture cast glass up to ¾" thick, tempered, laminated for safety, and colored up to 4' x 8' in size. Products include but not limited to cast vertical or horizontal panels, bar tops, counter tops, sinks and much more.

BGS is also capable of producing custom light fixtures, chandeliers, and glass enhancements for existing light fixtures. We also do free form glass, wall art, tabletop and display artwork.

BGS would like to work with you on your next project. We would be happy to provide you with a sample kit of glass textures and meet with you and your client(s) in our showroom, or we would be happy to come to your location to do a presentation for you.

Staff Bios:

Shannon Abote
I am a Denver native who grew up in North Denver and graduated from North High School in 1973. I married my husband and now business partner John in 1975. We have a son Zachary, who is my other business partner, and a daughter Michelle who recently re-joined the family business to start taking over classes and retail. We also have a wonderful daughter-in-law, Lacey, who is our financial manager and she gave us our first granddaughter, Audrina Izabella, and grandson, Augustino Giovanni.

I did accounting and bookkeeping for several years and in 1999 opened Bella Glass & Stencils which transformed into Bella Glass Studios, Inc. Over the years we have gone from a small retail store to a full Art Glass Production Studio. Being able to open Bella was a dream that I could not accomplished without my husband John. He has been there to help in every aspect of the business.

When I'm not at work I enjoy spending as much time as I can with my family, planting flowers, playing with my granddaughter and taking her shopping, as well as spoiling my grandson!

 Zachary Abote
I am a Colorado native who grew up in Lakewood and graduated from Wheat Ridge High School in 1998. After finishing college at CSU in Fort Collins I moved back to Denver and started the production side of Bella Glass. With my mother's art background and my father's business and construction background I have had the knowledge and merged the two into the production side which has worked to help make Bella Glass what it is today.

I married my wife Lacey in 2004, who is also a part of Bella Glass; we now have a daughter Audrina Izabelle (born January 2008) and son Augustino Giovanni (born June 2010).

When not working and playing with Audrina and Auggie, I enjoy biking, golfing and barbequing with friends on my patio. I am a devoted father and husband and enjoy spending as much time with my family as possible.

Lacey Abote

I am a Colorado native who grew up in Arvada and graduated from Pomona High School in 1997. After graduating from CU with a degree in Economics I worked as a Title Insurance agent until deciding to join the family business. I now am the accounts manager with Bella Glass and also enjoy helping with any glass project.

Zach and I married in 2004 and had our first baby girl in January of 2008, Audrina Izabelle.  Our baby boy, Augustino Giovanni, was then born in June 2010. 

When not working and playing with Audrina and Auggie I enjoy biking, swimming and barbequing with friends on our patio.

John Abote

I am a Denver native who grew up in North Denver and graduated from Regis High School in 1973. I married my wife and now business partner Shannon in 1975. We have a son Zachary, who is my other business partner, and a daughter Michelle who recently re-joined the family business to start taking over classes and retail. We also have a wonderful daughter-in-law, Lacey, who is our financial manager and she gave us our first granddaughter, Audrina Izabella, and grandson, Augustino Giovanni.

I am a Master Electrician and have owned and operated a successful electrical contracting company for over 30 years. I joined Bella Glass in 2005 after I designed and built our current facility in a funky old 1940's warehouse building with the help of Zach.

I am the business and production manager of Bella, as my 30+ years of business and contracting experience lend itself well to the growth and guidance of the company. I also help in sales, commissioned projects, and day to day operations at Bella.

I enjoy golfing with friends, family and clients during the summer as well as fishing with my daughter, and hopefully someday soon, with my granddaughter and grandson. I am a devoted father, husband, and grandfather and enjoy spending as much time with my family as possible. I also enjoy cooking for friends and family alike as my Italian heritage has given me the gift of many old family recipes and creating new ones for everyone to come together and enjoy.

Michelle Abote

I am a Colorado native and graduated Wheat Ridge High School in 2000.  I went on to CSU then transferred to Metro State where I obtained a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Criminalistics in 2004. 

I worked with my mom, Shannon, since she started the business in October 1999.  I decided to venture out on my own away from the family business and became a dedicated police officer serving and protecting for a local metro agency for five years.  After those five years I decided to go back to the family business so that I could learn the retail side and be able to take over for Shannon so that someday my brother and sister-in-law and I can run the business. I now help Shannon teach classes and run the day to day retail operations, as well as helping my brother in production as needed.

When I'm not working I enjoy my new home and spend lots of time with my three boys (pups Odin, Loki and Toby), my boyfriend James, and my friends and family. I love to cook and bake in particular.  I also greatly enjoy being "T-Shell" - aunt and godmother - to my wonderful niece and nephew Drina and Auggie. 

 David Szuch

I am an Illinois native hailing from Rockford. I have a degree in A.A.S. Computer Aided Design from Rock Valley College Illinois, graduating in 1996. I came to Colorado to be with my friends and snowboard. I loved the Colorado seasons like every other transplant and I spent a couple of years working various jobs, skateboarding, bicycling, and jamming with friends on my bass guitar in various venues around town. I couldn't leave.

I have always had a passion for art and in 1998 I began working as a professional glass artist for a couple local shops to learn my skills in glass. I am an accomplished glass artist in the areas of stained and leaded glass design, build and repair. I also blow glass, paint glass and fuse glass. I have been with Bella Glass Studios since 2005. I am shop foreman at Bella in their commercial production division. I help design and build production units, and coordinate shipping and receiving.

I am married to Shaleigh my lovely wife whom I met here in Colorado. We have an Italian Greyhound, Ginger. I enjoy my free time with Shaleigh as well as skateboarding, bicycling and playing musical instruments.

I am constantly challenged by Bella Glass and am intrigued by helping the Bella crew on large commission projects and cutting edge new products and designs.