Duly elected at the General Members meeting in Toledo, OH in June 2022, we are pleased to present the 2022-2023 Board of Directors for the Stained Glass Association of America.
President
Bryant J. Stanton
Stanton Studios, Waco, TX
https://stantonstudiostx.com/ (opens new window)
Mr. Stanton attended both Texas Tech and Baylor University pursuing a degree in three dimensional studio art. Stanton has studied under such artists as Richard Posner, Narcissus Quagliata and James Carpenter. In 1979, he and his wife opened Stanton Glass Studio. The studio’s work includes custom work with their most recent projects in the Golden Nugget Casino & Hotel In Las Vegas and the Palazzo Resort Hotel & Casino. Stanton Glass is also involved with restoration work and is on the Texas Historical Commission list as a preferred qualified restoration company. In addition to restoration of historic stained glass, Stanton Glass also restores wooden frames and sashes. An Accredited Member since 2007, Bryant has served on both the SGAA and SGS Boards, as Chair of the Publications Committee, and as a member of the Marketing Committee. He has served as a Board Member for the last two years.
1st Vice President
Ralph Mills
Pittsburgh Stained Glass, Pittsburgh, PA
http://www.pittsburghstainedglassstudios.com (opens new window)
While attending college, Ralph took a class in stained glass and in 1988 opened a retail studio. Later he became the General Manager for Stained Glass Resources and is now General Manager for Pittsburgh Stained Glass Studios. In his 28 year involvement with the craft, he has participated in the restoration of countless historic windows, including TIffany, Rudy Brothers, Willet, Connick, Meyer, and Lamb. In joining the board he wished to continue his work in establishing and gaining professional acceptance of sound restoration technology and philosophy, to continue to promote ethical business practices within the profession and to provide educational opportunities to practitioners as well as studio owners. Ralph strongly believes in the SGAA and looks forward to becoming more involved. Ralph has lectured and taught classes at SGAA conferences and served as the chair of the restoration committee.
In his thirty-year involvement in the art and craft of stained glass, Ralph has been in the position to direct and participate in the conservation, preservation, restoration and protection of countless historic stained glass windows from all areas of the country east of the Mississippi river. He is the production manager at Pittsburgh Stained Glass and is currently chairman of the restoration committee of the Stained Glass Association of America.
2nd Vice President
Ariana Makau
Nzilani Glass Conservation, Oakland, CA
https://www.nzilani.com/ (opens new window)
The company’s founder, Ariana Makau, is the second person in the world – and the first woman – to receive a Master’s Degree in Stained Glass Conservation from the Royal College of Art in London. Equally comfortable on a job site, at a board meeting or in a museum, Makau has over 25 years of experience with art and architectural preservation. She is a Board Member and Health and Safety Chair of the Stained Glass Association of America and is a Fellow of AIC. Before Nzilani, she worked at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, London’s V&A Museum, and the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Makau’s presentations at national conferences bridge the gap between health & safety regulators and those involved in stained-glass. Approachable and non-judgmental, Ariana enjoys sharing her professional experience in classroom and public talks. Highlights include a better awareness of personal safety combined with a deeper appreciation of the art form.
Recording Secretary
Jim Piercey
J. Piercey Studios, Orlando, FL
https://www.jpiercey.com/ (opens new window)
From science teacher to chemist to stained glass artist, Piercey’s journey has been a special one. His studio opened in 1981 and has been accredited since 1992. His studio has completed numerous religious, public (Art-in-Public-Spaces) commissions, some of which have been recognized by various publications, awards and honors. He had a new awakening when he studied under Ludwig Schaffrath and Johannes Schreiter. Inspired by the work of Schaffrath, Jim has begun developing techniques in stone and glass mosaic. He has served as a Board Member as Second Vice-President and is the current Recording Secretary. He has served as chair of the Membership Committee and currently serves as chair of the Bylaws Committee.
Treasurer
Josephine A. Geiger
J. A. Geiger Studio, St. Paul, MN
https://www.jageigerstudio.com/ (opens new window)
Trained as an architect, Josephine A. Geiger’s glass art is inspired by hidden depths in the landscape. These scenes are distilled into a bold palette of rectangles and squares of colored light as she translates a photo or sketch with an Impressionistic eye, capturing the essence of the subject. Josephine’s process is organically linear, adding, shifting, flipping, or removing glass elements until the visual puzzle is finally solved — often in surprising ways.
More subtle architectural effects emerge within the design of kiln-worked elements and copper lacing through the panels. Josephine cuts, folds, bends, and twists the copper fabric, as she weaves it in and out of openings cut into the glass panel. Deceptively simple spaces, precisely structured in the panel for strength and composition, flirt with the solidity and transparency of the leaded glass.
In addition to a steady stream of private commissions (even a chicken coop), Josephine's artwork is represented in various installations and public collections including a handful of churches and a courthouse in Middleton, WI. Josephine also recently created and installed an original skylight on the Frank Lloyd Wright Lovness Estate in Minnesota. Her distinctive style has earned multiple awards and has been featured in both regional and national print publications, as well as TV episodes on TPT’s MN Original and INSP’s Handcrafted America.
Director
Courtney Nelson
Conrad Schmitt Studios, New Berlin, WI
https://conradschmitt.com/ (opens new window)
Since 1889, Conrad Schmitt Studios (CSS) has created and restored timeless interiors and fine works of art for buildings of architectural, historic and religious significance. Now in its second century, the Studio continues to advance longstanding traditions of art and craft in architectural environments. CSS provides award-winning work for cathedrals, basilicas, theatres, courthouses, state capitols and other notable structures. With a unified artistic vision, CSS’s experienced artists and craftsmen create new designs and conserve historic artwork in the form of decorative painting, stained glass, murals, mosaics and statuary. Design services include conceptual development, interior design renderings, fundraising tools, and on-site samples of proposed decoration. Decorative services include the investigation/documentation of original decorative paint schemes; decorative techniques such as gilding, glazing, marbleizing, stenciling, trompe l’oeil and graining; and the creation, conservation, restoration and replication of murals, mosaics, stained glass and other artwork.
Courtney Nelson is a Project Manager for Conrad Schmitt Studios, and is well connected throughout the liturgical preservation community. Her energy and passion for making meaningful connections in the community have been invaluable to the SGAA Board. Nelson currently serves on the Membership Committee for the Catholic Conference for Facility Management, and as a Director and the Membership Chair for the Stained Glass Association of America.
Director
Ted Ellison
Theodore Ellison Designs, Oakland, CA
https://www.theodoreellison.com/ (opens new window)
Theodore Ellison studied art and apprenticed in a glass studio before starting his leaded glass and mosaic company in 1998. Honoring the artistic integrity of the Arts & Crafts tradition he’s created original glass, mosaic, and lighting designs for homes all over the country. His work is based on the firm belief that thoughtfully designed and carefully crafted artworks enhance the lives of those who encounter them.
His passion stems from a desire to create something truly unique for each individual project. With keen attention to detail, the company works collaboratively with homeowners, architects, and designers to deliver one-of-a-kind pieces. Every project honors the artistic integrity of classic styles, and most projects use glass made specifically for the studio.
His work has appeared in Fine Homebuilding, Style 1900, and Old House Journal. He’s written on the history of glass for American Bungalow and presented on the history of American mosaic at the National Arts & Crafts Conference, Historic Seattle, the Society of American Mosaic Artists, The Gamble House, and The Driehaus Museum. He is also a member and past President of Artistic License, a guild of professional revival artisans serving the San Francisco Bay Area since 1982.
Director
Andrea Denning
Denning Stained Glass, Platte City, MO
https://denningstainedglass.com/ (opens new window)
Denning Stained Glass was founded by Andrea Denning almost 20 years ago. “I signed up for my first class and loved it, sparking a passion (and career) in stained glass.” Andrea secured a business license shortly thereafter and opened a stained glass shop under her home garage creating beautiful works of art for homes, businesses and churches. She began offering classes to military families on post at Fort Leavenworth, KS which she sites as one of the most rewarding projects of her career. In November 2018, Andrea opened the doors of Denning Stained Glass at 200 Branch Street in Platte City, just north of Kansas City, MO. At this location she is able to offer services including; repair, restoration, custom windows, classes and supplies. She is thrilled to help people enjoy art and provides daily studio access to aspiring artists as well as a full line of stained glass supplies.
Director
Tyler Kimball
Monarch Studios, Kansas City, MO
https://www. monarchglassstudio.com/ (opens new window)
Born and raised in Kansas City, Tyler Kimball has gone to all lengths to bring great glass art to the Kansas City area as well as creating installation art and gift glass alike for places and people around the globe . He had worked in over 50 different studios through residencies, visiting artist stints, and contracted hire before building up Monarch Glass Studio. He has shown work in galleries and museums internationally and has public art installed around the country. His passion for working in glass has led him down many different avenues over the years and his favorite work is always just around the next turn.
Director
Libby Hintz
Independent Artist, Blue Point, NY
https://www.libbyhintzart.com/ (opens new window)
When she took her first mosaic class in 2004, a channel opened in Libby Hintz that she never expected. Creating space and making art has taught her about herself and how she moves through life. Libby has been a member of Women Sharing Art, Inc. since 2008, where female artists share and explore their artistic passions and varied mediums through exhibitions and workshops. She manages the group’s digital presence, and has served as a board member in several capacities.
After seven years on the board, administering the Robin Brett Mosaic Scholarship program and time served as Membership Chair, Libby was elected President of SAMA in March 2022. She is a part of the SGAA/SAMA steering committee that is navigating the merger discussion between the two organizations. Outside of her mosaic work, Libby has a long history of supporting, volunteering and promoting community-focused organizations.