Through the Chalet looking Glass

Written By Deborah Patterson

Chalet Artistic Glass began creating glass in Cornwall, Ontario in September of 1962. The factory occupied the 1919 addition to the Dundas Cotton Mill at Harbour Road and Edward Street. It operated there until its closure in 1975. See Web site section Chalet company history for detailed information.

Aerial view of the cotton mill complex circa 1960. Photograph courtesy of Paolo De Marchi.

Aerial view of the cotton mill complex circa 1960. Photograph courtesy of Paolo De Marchi.

Circa August 1962. The Chalet factory sign being installed. Photograph from the collection of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Historical Society at the Cornwall Community Museum.

Circa August 1962. The Chalet factory sign being installed. Photograph from the collection of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Historical Society at the Cornwall Community Museum.

Circa 1971. Still taken from the  National Film board’s documentary “Here is Canada.”

Circa 1971. Still taken from the  National Film board’s documentary “Here is Canada.”

The company was heralded as “Canada’s first Venetian glass making industry.”  From the onset Chalet received considerable support from high- ranking politicians at all levels of government as well as from influential members of the community. Cornwall was in the throes of a deep recession and focused upon bringing new industry and business to the city.

September 1962. Cornwall Mayor Nick Kaneb and Angelo Tedesco celebrate the factory opening. Photograph from the collection of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Historical Society at the Cornwall Community Museum.

September 1962. Cornwall Mayor Nick Kaneb and Angelo Tedesco celebrate the factory opening. Photograph from the collection of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Historical Society at the Cornwall Community Museum.

September 1962. Cornwall Industrial Commissioner William Anderson and Angelo Tedesco “raise their glass” to toast the beginning of an era. Photograph from the collection of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Historical Society at the Cornwall Community Museum

September 1962. Cornwall Industrial Commissioner William Anderson and Angelo Tedesco “raise their glass” to toast the beginning of an era. Photograph from the collection of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Historical Society at the Cornwall Community Museum

Chalet also became a major tourist attraction – a visit to the factory was an iconic school trip.  

factory tour sign.jpg
1962. Maestro Luigi Tedesco enthralls teachers as they tour the Chalet factory. Photographs from the collection of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Historical Society at the Cornwall Community Museum.

1962. Maestro Luigi Tedesco enthralls teachers as they tour the Chalet factory. Photographs from the collection of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Historical Society at the Cornwall Community Museum.

 The Glass

One of the ovens at Chalet in 1967. Still taken from the Ontario government’s film  ‘A Place to Stand.’

One of the ovens at Chalet in 1967. Still taken from the Ontario government’s film  ‘A Place to Stand.’

The first known brochure. Hand drawn. Circa 1962. Some of the earliest pieces. Many forms did not go forward into subsequent years production. Courtesy of Conrad Biernackie.

The first known brochure. Hand drawn. Circa 1962. Some of the earliest pieces. Many forms did not go forward into subsequent years production. Courtesy of Conrad Biernackie.

September 1962. Laura Fuga, wife of Chalet artist Carlo Fuga, worked in the Chalet factory showroom. Photograph from the collection of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Historical Society at the Cornwall Community Museum. Article from the Cornwall Standard Freeholder.

September 1962. Laura Fuga, wife of Chalet artist Carlo Fuga, worked in the Chalet factory showroom. Photograph from the collection of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Historical Society at the Cornwall Community Museum. Article from the Cornwall Standard Freeholder.

Chalet model, Patricia O’Connell, 1963. She is posed with a piece shown in the “Items Available” brochure shown above. Production piece #BB41. Photograph courtesy of Patricia O’Connell. I spoke to Ms. O’Connell to learn how it came about that she did a photo shoot for Chalet. Her reply, “I was a pretty girl at a party and a photographer asked me if I wanted to do a photograph for the local paper. I did not know anything about Chalet or the glass. I just showed up, posed and left.”

Chalet model, Patricia O’Connell, 1963. She is posed with a piece shown in the “Items Available” brochure shown above. Production piece #BB41. Photograph courtesy of Patricia O’Connell. I spoke to Ms. O’Connell to learn how it came about that she did a photo shoot for Chalet. Her reply, “I was a pretty girl at a party and a photographer asked me if I wanted to do a photograph for the local paper. I did not know anything about Chalet or the glass. I just showed up, posed and left.”

  Chalet Artistic Glass promoting its glass and “giftware” at a Montreal trade show. As well as the factory, office and showroom in Cornwall, Chalet had a sales office on Place Bon Adventure in Montreal.

Date unknown. Still taken from the  National Film board’s documentary “Here is Canada.”
Trade show date unknown. Stills taken from the 1971 National Film board’s documentary “Here is Canada.”

Trade show date unknown. Stills taken from the 1971 National Film board’s documentary “Here is Canada.”

 

Woman with glass unknown. Stills taken from the 1971 National Film board’s documentary “Here is Canada.”

Woman with glass unknown. Stills taken from the 1971 National Film board’s documentary “Here is Canada.”

Who made the glass at Chalet?

For detailed autobiographical information and photographs of the Chalet owners, Maestri and artists, please refer to the article ‘The Faces of Chalet’.

Owners;

Angelo Tedesco

Sergio Pagnin

Chalet owner and Maestro Luigi Tedesco (foreground) taking a break on the Chalet factory floor. Paolo Pagnin, his brother-in-law and Chalet owner and Maestro Sergio’ Pagnin’s brother, is seen in the background. Photograph courtesy of Paolo De Marchi.

Chalet owner and Maestro Luigi Tedesco (foreground) taking a break on the Chalet factory floor. Paolo Pagnin, his brother-in-law and Chalet owner and Maestro Sergio’ Pagnin’s brother, is seen in the background. Photograph courtesy of Paolo De Marchi.

Luigi Tedesco

 

Chalet Glass blowers:

Maestro Sergio Pagnin

Maestro  Luigi Tedesco

Carlo Fuga

Mirco Dalla Valentina

Maestro Bruno Panizzon

Gianfranco (Franco) Guarnieri

Giovanni (Nane) Bottaro

Maestro Otello Fuga

Franco Ianaccio

Imperio D’Este

Luigino (Gino) Fornasieri

Lino Fuga

Aldo Pizzolato

Antonio (Tony) Nichetto

Antonio (Tony) Tedesco

Loredano Favretto

Paolo Danesin

Maestro Angelo (Giorgio) Rossi (achieved Maestro status after Chalet)

Roberto De Marchi

Maestro Giulio Gatto

Gian Paolo Bastianello

Maestro Giovanni Voltalina (achieved Maestro status after Chalet)

Paul Gravelle

 

 

Apprentices/Helpers to the Glass blowers (as known):

Paolo Danesin

William Carriere

Marcel Gravelle

Ronald Derouchie  (grinder)

Leo Plamondon (millhand)

Angelo Caparelli (fire maker)

Antonio Carlesso (labourer)

Donald Sabourin 

Gastone Maneghini (built ovens and helped mix chemicals)

Ronald Jodoin 

Mike McEwen

Victor Sanborn

Danny Dessere

Robert Belanger

Rene Tremblay

 

The factory at Edward and Harbour is gone but the glass and the Chalet artists’ legacies live on.

Deborah Patterson
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Chalet Mouth Blown Pieces
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