Dana Minette Pierce has been turning colorful pieces of glass into art for nearly three decades, creating small, vibrant stained-glass pieces that are both beautiful and accessible.
“I’ve always liked stained glass, but I could never afford it. You know, you’d see the big panels, and they were so expensive, and when I started doing stained glass, I wanted it to be affordable, so anybody could buy it,” she said, reflecting on her philosophy as an artist.
Her work includes designs inspired by many things, including musical instruments and nature. They include string work and bead work – offering a modern take on a classic craft. Plus, her pieces can be safely boxed and taken home by fairgoers.
Pierce’s journey began 28 years ago, when her son was just two years old. Taking a night school class while leaving her son with his father for a few hours, she discovered a passion that would grow into a lifelong pursuit. What began as a hobby eventually became a full-time pursuit. She displayed her pieces in galleries and later set up her own studio – Dana Minettes Studios – in North Carolina. She’s taken her work to shows across the region, including the World of Bluegrass in Raleigh and MerleFest in Wilkesboro.
Now, for the first time, Pierce is joining the Village of Yesteryear at the 2025 N.C. State Fair, stepping into a long-held stained-glass spot in the Village. Located in the Holshouser Building, the Village features more than 75 artists and crafters creating, displaying and selling time-honored handmade crafts, from hand-coiled pottery and split-oak baskets to carved wooden utensils and dolls.
Originally from Sanibel Island, Florida, Pierce has called Swain County home for the past 20 years. Setting up at many music festivals over the years combined her love of music with her passion for handcrafted artistry.
“I love bluegrass and the people are just so nice at music shows,” she said.
Her involvement in these festivals eventually led to a fellow crafter encouraging her to apply for the State Fair’s Village of Yesteryear. It’s a good fit as Pierce sees her work as a bridge between tradition and contemporary design.
“When I think about stained glass, I feel like it’s a dying art,” Pierce said. “[But also] I say it’s not your grandma’s stained glass. I’ve brought it a little more forward doing [pieces] like the instruments and the string work and bead work, and I’ve tried to modernize it.”
Her goal is to create pieces that fit into anyone’s home today while honoring a centuries-old craft. Pierce’s work is designed to be both beautiful and practical. She focuses on small, transportable pieces that fairgoers can safely take home, often boxed like jewelry so that rides and fair crowds won’t damage them. For Pierce, the most rewarding part of her work is the emotional connections her creations make.
“It makes me happy when other people love my work, or they buy it to represent a loved one that has passed. That’s probably the most flattering thing about my work,” she said.
Pierce’s addition to the Village underscores both the tradition and the evolution of the fair’s historic crafts display. For visitors, it’s a chance not only to shop for unique handmade gifts but also to witness some art in action. The Village of Yesteryear is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Whether you’re a longtime fairgoer or a first-time visitor, make a point to explore the Village this year and stop by Dana Pierce’s booth. Her modern take on stained glass is a beautiful complement to the timeless crafts that make the Village of Yesteryear a highlight of the 2025 N.C. State Fair. It’s one of the fair’s most popular and enduring attractions.
For more information about the Village of Yesteryear, visit https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/nc-state-fair/2025-nc-state-fair/attractions/village-yesteryear and www.villageofyesteryear.org.