Every year, our community comes together for all things stained glass.

The conference, hosted by Tyler Kimball of Monarch Glass Studio (opens new window) with co-hosts Andrea Denning (opens new window) and Kathy Barnard (opens new window), offered a rich experience in Kansas City’s historic district.

We extend our gratitude to all sponsors and partners: Monarch Glass Studio, Paul Wissmach Glass Co., S.A. Bendheim, Glashütte Lamberts Waldsassen GmbH, Youghiogheny Glass, DHD Metals Inc., Canfield Technologies, Colorado Glass Works, D&L Art Glass Supply, JAX Chemical Company, Laticrete International, Inc., Oceanside Glass & Tile, Sussman Architectural Products, Traditional Glassworks, GlazAI, River of Goods, Cascade Metals, Coatings By Sandberg, Inc., Conrad Schmitt Studios, Inc., Cracked with Chevonne Ariss, Delphi Glass, Franklin Art Glass Studios, Inc., Glass Patterns Quarterly, Handy Hanger.
 

Elevating Glass Art in Kansas City

Monarch Studio served as the main off-site venue, featuring its hotshop for live glassblowing demonstrations, studio tours, and catered events. Workshops included sessions by Monarch staff and guest instructors, while Kathy Barnard's studio provided a creative setting for hands-on classes and lectures. Additional sessions were held at the Belger Glass Annex (opens new window), Kansas City’s first large-scale public glassblowing facility, equipped with high-end tools and furnaces. The conference coincided with Belger Arts’ First Friday event, where attendees explored Mosaic Arts International 2024 & 100 Moments: Season 5, exhibitions presented in collaboration with the Society of American Mosaic Artists (opens new window) (SAMA). 

Explore, Create, and Learn

This year’s conference featured a diverse array of workshops that catered to everyone from beginners to experienced artists. Participants had the opportunity to engage in hands-on experiences, enhancing their skills while exploring new artistic techniques. Workshops included: 

- Imagery Workshop with Joseph Cavalieri
- Make Your Own Blown Glass Rondel led by Monarch Glass Studio Staff
- Simple Slumping for Stained Glass Artists with Alison Siegel
- Painting Class with Maria Sheets
- 1-Day Beginning Stained Glass Class with Meggy Wilm
- Kiln Work for Stained Glass - Keeping It Skinny! with Malcolm Potek
- Cold Connections with Hxtal by Monarch Glass Studios Staff
- Stained Glass Sunflowers Using Mouth Blown Sheet Glass & Rondels by Meggy Wilm

Industry Insights and Demonstrations

The 2024 Sponsor Resource Center & Demonstration Hall brought together manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, and professionals to share tools, techniques, and innovations with conference attendees. On Friday, October 4, participants enjoyed technical presentations and hands-on demonstrations, providing insights into resources available to artists. Attendees also engaged in a discussion led by Josephine Geiger for the SGAA, reviewing updates since the 2023 Conference and sharing feedback on community needs, challenges, and opportunities. The dialogue continued into the Membership Forum, an annual session covering industry news, key initiatives, and membership updates.

Voices of the Community

The General Session at the conference featured a keynote by historian Peter Cormack, who presented "Charles J. Connick 1875-1945, Adventurer in Light and Color," highlighting Connick’s transformative influence on American stained glass. Additional presentations included Neal Vogel's "Illustrious Obscuritas: History & Restoration of Prism Glass Transoms," Christian Baierl’s exploration of the uses and opportunities of mouth-blown Lamberts glass, Kathy Barnard’s discussion on her Tennessee Woods Project, and a practical insurance session by Michael S. George with SGAA Executive Director Megan McElfresh, who also presented "American Stained Glass Story." Seminars covered essential topics, with Joseph Cavalieri on marketing, art residencies, and framing, Kathy Barnard on sandblasting, Jill Huentelman on business growth strategies, Ted Ellison on stained glass design and pricing, and Bryant J. Stanton on evaluating sacred spaces. These sessions enriched attendees' knowledge, providing inspiration and practical insights for their stained glass practices.

Behind the Glass: A Tour of the Church of the Resurrection

A highlight of the conference was a guided tour of the Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, featuring the world’s largest continuous stained glass window, crafted by Judson Studios. Attendees explored this monumental 92-by-35-foot installation, composed of 161 panels, each weighing about 100 pounds, with a total weight of around 8 tons. The tour included a thrilling ascent behind the window, offering views from the catwalk near its top. Church members shared insights into the window’s creation, installation, and preservation, leaving attendees deeply inspired by its artistry and transformative presence.

From Vision to Impact

The conference concluded with a presentation by Therman Statom, renowned for his life-sized glass sculptures. Statom shared insights from his creative journey, illustrating how glass can be a medium for storytelling, self-expression, and social impact, leaving attendees inspired by its transformative potential. Following his talk, the energy flowed into the 2024 Fundraising Auction, featuring both silent and live auctions. Proceeds from the auction fund scholarships for stained glass education, supporting academic research, conservation, emerging and established artists, and initiatives to broaden access within the field.