Lectures

500 Years of Stained Glass with Martin Harrison

In Suffolk Martin Harris has been trying to identify workshops, other than the well-known ones in Norwich, responsible for the region’s stained glass in the 15th century. This connects to local glass-painters in the early 19th century whose restorations of medieval glass have seldom been identified. Martin brings his findings to the Art Workers Guild and  shares them with the audience.

Autumn lecture 2018

Theodora Salusbury: The Peacock Lady (1875-1956)
Speaker: Andrew Loutit

As a pupil of both Christopher Whall and Karl Parsons, Theodora Salusbury’s work is predictably colourful, but it is also characterised by her excellent drawing skills to produce particularly lifelike figures in her stained glass. She remains a relatively unknown artist and Andrew, her great-nephew, is seeking to establish a reputation more deserving of these skills.

Spring lecture 2019

Adrian Barlow’s new book Espying Heaven: The Stained Glass of Charles Eamer Kempe and his Artists offers a detailed discussion of Kempe’s work, with a strong focus on particular windows, themes and relationships. Analysis of C.E. Kempe’s stained glass in the context of contemporary firms, such as Morris & Co., Burlison & Grylls, Christopher Whall, etc., enriches our understanding and evaluation of his legacy and standing today.

Adrian will be giving the BSMGP Spring Lecture at the Art Workers Guild and will share his in-depth knowledge of the windows of C. E. Kempe’s prolific firm with an audience who may already have strong ‘marmite’ opinions. An interesting evening is in store! Do join us.

Copies of Espying Heaven will be for sale on the night.

Summer lecture 2019 Martin Donlin

Reflections on 30 years of Glass

Speaker Martin Donlin

We are delighted that the award winning architectural glass artist Martin Donlin will be giving the Summer Lecture.

Martin has been working in glass, colour and light since his student days in Swansea. He is a consummate  artist, comfortable with the decoration of enormous spaces in public as well as private buildings worldwide.

Somehow he is able to include complex imagery and information within a radiantly beautiful addition to almost any style of building using glass each time to suit and enhance the space.

This lecture will be a fascinating learning curve for us all.

Autumn lecture 2019 Imported Continental Glass in Kent Churches

Our Hon. Librarian Leslie Smith will be talking about the Flemish, Swiss, and perhaps German, stained glass roundels in the churches of his home county of Kent. The distribution of imports was random, because of the geographical spread of their collectors, so although small in number, local studies can be of value.

He will describe the Northern European roundels listed by William Cole in the 1993 Corpus Vitrearum Medii Aevi Catalogue and examine their provenance, their import and sale and their collectors, as well as the sources for their designs and mainly biblical subjects. Swiss glass from the seventeenth century will also be discussed, plus a diversion to look at a previously uncatalogued country house collection.

Spring Lecture 2020

Christopher Webb – Popular, Prolific, Profound

One of the most respected stained glass artists of his generation, Webb’s reputation plummeted after his death in 1966. While recognising his skill in design and draughtsmanship, commentators have disparaged his windows as anaemic or anachronistic. This lecture by John Edwards uses the archive of Webb’s design sketches and full-size cartoons, together with evidence from a newly-compiled list of his stained glass windows and other artworks to confront these views. What emerges from Webb’s long career is far greater diversity than the caricatures suggest, and a unique legacy.

John has promised to bring some of the artist’s original sketches to the Art Workers Guild so do join us for a visual treat and a fascinating evening. And if you have never tried the buffet supper, it is well worth staying for.

Summer Lecture 2020

Frans Wesselman – Godiva and the Art of Storytelling  CANCELLED

Intriguing and beguiling, Frans Wesselman’s stained glass art draws you into a world of stories and characters. His etchings and woodcuts explore similar themes on paper. We will hear how Frans switches between media and learn about his glass painting techniques, where his inspiration comes from and about his Godiva windows that tell the story of Coventry’s history.

Do join us for a fascinating evening with an artist whose unique vision inspires a loyal following. Frans will bring some of his original artworks to the lecture.