stained-glass

Held this past February, at the Art workers Guild, London. The British Society of Master Glass Painters hosted a joint Symposium with Heritage Crafts to discuss the red listing of traditional stained glass window making and safeguarding it for the future!

It was a privilege to have been invited to such an important, solution based event, designed to get stained glass off the Red List of Endangered crafts! Loved seeing so many friendly faces and being surrounded by a group of such passionate professionals, committed to contributing their collective expertise for the better!

This exciting and crucial event was structured to address every aspect of the stained glass industry. Exploring educational opportunities, access to raw materials, shifting commissioning bodies and public engagement. To gather a more holistic view on the agenda, not just stained glass practitioners, studio directors and apprentices were invited, but a range of associated professionals such as architects, material producers, historians, interior designers, bid writers, educators and curators! The day was extremely constructive, we engaged in multiple discussions, exploring how we can possibly navigate the hurdles facing our beloved craft and reverse it’s current trajectory!

So excited to take action together! ❤

I really had fun translating one of the winning designs onto glass for the 2023 Reflections of the Lord Mayor Stained Glass Roundel Competition! Each year previous professional winners are asked to translate the winning youth designs into glass! These designs are produced with enamels, silver stain, glass and lead came.

Junior Sea Cadet and winner, Sebastian, delivered a wonderfully uplifting and informative composition based on the career and interests of Alderman Vincent Keaveny; in commemoration of his term as the 693rd Lord Mayor of London. It was a pleaure bringing Sebastian’s roundel to life, he did a fabulous job creating a thoughtfully structured design, sympathetic to the stained glass medium.

The winning roundels were presented at the 2023 Reflections of the Lord Mayor Gala, held last summer at the orante Stationers Hall, London. It was another engaging event, celebrating education, supporting charities, experiencing culture and promoting professional exchange.

The Reflections of The Lord Mayor competition is an excellent creative opportunity, accessible to most ages; formatted to include categories not just for professional stained glass artists, but participating schools and Sea Cadet units too. Youth winners receive recognition, a monetary prize and their design fabricated by a stained glass craftsperson! Yay!

Don’t miss out on this unique creative opportunity!