Pauline Amouyal at the Lengaï workshop - 2021
"It is almost impossible to leave school and directly create your own workshop" - Pauline Amouyal
After obtaining a CAP in stained glass and training in glass painting "to learn traditional techniques", Pauline Amouyal, winner of the 2021 Savoir-faire en transmission awards, is completing her apprenticeship at the Lengaï workshop, run by Igor Petroff.
The workshop has already hosted many prize winners, and it was through them that Pauline discovered the prize.
"Between 25 and 30 people have passed through this workshop in 10 years. That's its primary function, by the way: a place of transition, transmission and experimentation before launching one's own business."
Igor Petroff
Through this year of training, Pauline is enriching and perfecting her skills thanks to the different profiles that regularly attend the workshop.
"What strikes me is that here there are eight young women doing the same job, who are, in theory, in competition. But there's a great atmosphere, a good understanding and the styles are different. Everyone finds their place".
Igor Petroff
"What we learn here is contact with each other, sharing and helping each other.
Pauline Amouyal
For Pauline, this experience is above all an opportunity to develop numerous techniques thanks to the different machines available: the creation of glass beads with a blowtorch, the use of a kiln to fire paint on glass, the fusing and thermoforming techniques, the sandblasting machine to frost the glass and create effects, the Tiffany mounting to change lead...
"Stained glass has a history of many centuries behind it and it is moving to see that we still work in the same way today.
Pauline Amouyal
She is also trying her hand at creating small objects and jewellery as an alternative to the more expensive traditional stained glass, so that she can sell at craft markets.
During our interview, we learn that Pauline has trained as a rope access technician in order to complete her field of competence and to open up other professional opportunities: churches, large buildings, etc.
"I want to be able to tackle large sites and work at height".
Pauline Amouyal
After the course, Pauline wants to open her own workshop.
"Now I am ready to open my horizons.
Pauline Amouyal