Conference 2023 Recap

Celebrating SGAA and SAMA's second joint conference and SGAA's 120th Anniversary

For the SGAA's 112th annual conference, we brought it to our home-city of Buffalo, NY for the very first time in SGAA history - what better way to celebrate the SGAA's 120th Anniversary than to host where our offices, community roots, and new SGAA Foundation are located? Abundant with new and old mosaics and stained glass in a city rich with architectural history, Buffalo was joined by nearly 300 artists and enthusiasts.

A return to a full conference format

Conference 2023 was our first full conference since the COVID-19 pandemic. Forging New Paths lasted a full five days with 2 exhibitions, 5 tours, 20 workshops, 21 speaker presentations, and a brand-new, week-long, all day collaborative Mosaic Marathon.

Comradery and celebration

The evening receptions included the Vendor Marketplace Opening & Welcome Reception, Art Salon and Fundraising Auction, Mosaic & Glass Arts International 2023 Artist Reception, and the 120th Anniversary Awards & Closing Party with the On the Shoulders of Giants exhibition viewing.

Download the group photos here (opens new window)

On the Shoulders of Giants: Innovation in American Stained Glass

Developed by the Stained Glass Association of America Foundation (SGAAF) in collaboration with Judson Studios, this exhibit is in celebration of the SGAA’s 120th anniversary, tying together our own unique history and legacy with our future architectural endeavors, displayed at The Buffalo History Museum through January 14th, 2024.

Featured artists:

Indre Bileris, Quentin Blackman, Shay Bredimus, Amir H. Fallah, James Jean, El Mac, Narcissus Quaguata, Judith Schaechter, Dani Tull

The Manufacturing Panel

The Manufacturing Panel is back for the first time since 2019. Scott Cooper, President of the Glass Manufacturers Industry Council, utilized a mobile poll app to engage conference attendees in getting to know more about the challenges faced art glass manufacturers today while also driving the panel to talk about opportunities and hopes for the future.

The Mosaic Marathon

Thanks to SAMA, the Mosaic Marathon gives the community a unique opportunity to create a mosaic in a cooperative, networking experience. The Mosaic Marathon made a lasting piece of art that is donated to a local charity in our host conference city. The 2023 Mosaic Marathon was created for and installed at the Care Management Coalition (CMC) at 1021 Broadway in Buffalo, NY. The Care Management Coalition (CMC), situated in the culturally rich and diverse East Buffalo neighborhood, serves as a network of 11 nonprofit agencies working together to create a community of health and well-being.

Mosaic Marathon 2023

Mosaic & Glass Arts International 2023

The Society of American Mosaic Artists (SAMA) and the Stained Glass Association of America (SGAA) will be presenting the Mosaic and Glass Arts International 2023 exhibition series at the CEPA Gallery, Buffalo, New York, September 1 - 30, 2023.

The exhibition series was comprised of two segments: Fine Art and Site-Specific & Architectural Art, and includes a special exhibit by Redmond, Oregon artist, Kate Kerrigan. The exhibition elevates new perspectives of mosaic art, stained glass and architectural art in numerous contexts and celebrates established as well as emerging artists working in these traditional mediums today. All segments combined represent 35 artists from throughout the United States, Canada, The United Kingdom and South Africa.