Conferences & Gatherings

SGAA Conferences bring together artists, studios, historians, manufacturers, architects, and more from across the country to share ideas, learn, and inspire one another.

Whether you're a seasoned professional or just beginning your stained glass journey — whether you design large-scale public installations or craft panels for private spaces — our conferences offer valuable opportunities for connection, education, and creative growth.

Join both longtime colleagues and new faces for an enriching experience that celebrates every aspect of our diverse and dynamic industry. The future of stained glass won’t be shaped by just an annual gathering — it will be forged through ongoing collaboration, education, and shared purpose. SGAA is committed to expanding access to learning, supporting independent studios, and creating more pathways into the field.

Designing Abundance: Evolving Our Programs to Serve Beyond National Gatherings

The last several years have marked a turning point — not in why we do this work, but in how we want to serve. Our core mission remains unchanged: to strengthen and support the stained glass community through connection, education, and advocacy. 

From the momentum of the International Year of Glass in 2022 to a growing wave of public interest, we’ve used this time to take a hard look at the needs of our members, the health of our industry, and the systems we rely on to support both. We didn’t just look inward — we started listening outward. Through phone calls, affinity groups, committee work, exhibitions, site visits, and hundreds of conversations, we gathered stories, frustrations, and insights that challenged us to think differently. 

The clear call from our members was this: Build an SGAA that is more responsive, more relevant, and more resilient.

Rather than defaulting to an annual national event, we’re asking: What else could we be doing with that time, energy, and investment? How do we create more ways for members to scale up, connect, and grow?

Conferences remain a beloved part of SGAA culture — but they’re not financially accessible for the vast majority of our community. The challenge ahead is to build a rotating structure that balances large gatherings with ongoing, inclusive opportunities throughout the year — online, on-site, and in the field.

This next chapter is about proactively creating opportunity — not waiting for it to emerge on its own. This moment is about recommitting to what has always been at the core of the SGAA — and growing stronger from the inside out.