Free Events Celebrating Swansea’s Stained Glass
07 October 2023Stained Glass Apprenticeship Launch & Symposium
The first training block of the new Stained Glass Craftsperson Apprenticeship will take place in UWTSD Swansea on the 20th – 23rd November. This will be followed on Friday 24th November by a stained glass symposium Capturing a Moment: Swansea Stained Glass Archives led by Martin Crampin.
The official launch of the Stained Glass Craftsperson Apprenticeship Programme will take place on Friday evening. On Saturday morning there will be an opportunity to visit to Coychurch Crematorium to view the stained glass that will have been discussed in the symposium.
The Stained Glass Craftsperson Apprenticeship programme has been developed in collaboration with employers to ensure that the skills that are central to the traditional craft of stained glass are maintained and passed on to future generations. This innovative programme will help apprentices develop their professional and technical skills through a combination of university study and work-based learning. The apprentice will develop practical skills and knowledge in the research, design, craft, construction, and fitting of architectural and stained glass.
The story of the teaching and practice of stained glass in Swansea extends back to the 1930s, and by the 1980s the course in Architectural Stained Glass had gained an international reputation. Some of those trained on the course were from the Swansea area, while others were attracted to study in Swansea from around the world.
This day symposium will reflect on the stained glass archives in Swansea College of Art and elsewhere in Wales, using the commissions for Coychurch Crematorium as a focus for discussion. Coychurch Crematorium was opened in 1970 and contains some remarkable stained glass, including work designed by the influential German artists who were invited to teach in Swansea in the 1970s and 80s, and early works by students who went on to establish international reputations.
Speakers will include Dr Jasmine Allen (Stained Glass Museum, Ely), Dr Reinhard Köpf (Heritage Department, Mönchengladbach) and Dr Martin Crampin (University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies). There will be an opportunity to see a variety of work from the archives and panel discussions including some of those artists who made work for the crematorium. Please note that you will need to make your own way to the Crematorium on the Saturday.
Tickets are free and you must book a ticket for each event you wish to attend:
Friday 24th November 10.30am – 3.30pm Capturing a moment: Swansea Stained Glass Archives Symposium
Friday 24th November 4.00pm – 5.30pm Stained Glass Craftsperson Apprenticeship Launch
Saturday 25th November 10.00am – 11.30am Coychurch Crematorium Stained Glass Visit
Email enquiries: Christian Ryan c.ryan@uwtsd.ac.uk