Discussion Day 2026

Designing at Scale

Join the British Society of Master Glass Painters for our annual Discussion Day on Friday 30 October, Glaziers Hall, London. Speakers include Derek Hunt, Ann Sotheran, Ben Finn, Petri Anderson, Andrew Taylor and Rachel Mulligan.

Historic stained glass window making was added to the Red List of endangered crafts in 2023, partly because core design skills are rarely taught in institutions these days. We are committed to the transfer of knowledge from one generation to the next to help stained glass become resurgent.

This year we will focus on how to design a large window in an architectural setting. We have invited some of our Fellows to share their knowledge, skills and experience of designing for larger scale work. They will address how to interpret a brief, working up ideas into a finished design, cartooning and presenting work to the client.

Derek Hunt trained at Edinburgh Art College under Douglas Hogg before starting his own studio in Leicestershire. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, an accredited conservator, a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers and has a very successful YouTube channel.

Ann Sotheran lives and works in York. Having studied 3D Design she began working as a studio assistant to Harry Harvey before establishing her own workshop in 1987.

Ben Finn is a stained glass artist living in Essex. He trained at Central St Martins on the post graduate course. He specialises in figurative work, mainly for churches.

Petri Anderson works from his home studio in Hertfordshire. He learnt from Alfred Fisher and glass painter Peter Archer at Chapel Studios before forming his own company Mongoose Stained Glass in 2008.

Andrew Taylor trained in Fine Art and worked as a theatrical set painter before turning to stained glass. He worked at Chapel Studio as a cartoonist and set up his own home studio in Wiltshire.

Rachel Mulligan studied Fine Art and then stained glass at Central St Martins with Caroline Swash. She set up a home studio in Surrey and has been working to commission for over thirty years.

The day will be warm and friendly with constructive help and sharing of knowledge. There will be an opportunity to have your project critiqued by one of our Fellows in a small group setting.

The Discussion Day will be beneficial for enthusiasts and practitioners at any stage of their career. This is a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) event and attendees will receive a CPD certificate of attendance.

We will be at the beautiful Guild Hall of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass. Tea and coffee are provided. Southwark Cathedral cafe and Borough Market are close by with plenty of options for lunch. We will adjourn to a pub for evening drinks (optional).

The British Society of Master Glass Painters is very grateful to the Worshipful Company of Glaziers for hosting the event at Glaziers Hall, and to the Fellows of the Society who are volunteering their time.