The 2009 American Glass Guild Conference
July 16-20, 2009
Buffalo, New York
2009 Conference
Return to list of presentations Return to main conference page
Sister Diane Couture and Ardra K. Hartz
Art Glass Tour of the Southeast Quadrant
The presentation will consist of a slideshow of notable architectural stained-glass installations in a number of southeastern cities, including St. Augustine, Atlanta, Savannah, and others. Presenters have researched, visited, and photographed the sites and will share design, fabrication, and, if apropos, restoration data on each location. Both traditional and contemporary works will be presented.
The visual tour will include:
- St. Augustine Basilica Cathedral, St. Augustine, FL, Restoration (Mayer Windows), 1903
- Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church, Bay St. Louis, MS, Restoration. (Mayer and Zettler windows) 1901
- Our Lady Queen of the Universe, Orlando, FL. New Contemporary. 1989
- St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Waynesville, NC. New Traditional 2008
- St. John’s Cathedral, Savannah, GA, restored by Conrad Schmitt Studios
- The Catholic Shrine of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA., disastrous fire, 1982
- St. Anthony’s Episcopal, Columbia, SC, triptych window
- St. John’s Episcopal, Columbia, SC, Willet windows
- St. Joseph’s, Athens, GA,’ German’ windows being researched by UGA
- St. Mary of the Assumption, Charleston, SC, Mayer windows
A handout will be distributed with basic facts on each site so that those traveling in the future will be able to refer to the information presented.
About Sister Diane Couture
Sister Diane Couture is both a Sister of St. Joseph in St. Augustine, Florida, and a well-known glass painter. She has created and restored art glass and painted windows for churches all over the world. She obtained most of her art instruction from The Arrowmont School of Art in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. She also had the privilege of studying under a German glass painter for three years wherein she obtained her certificate as a Master Glass Painter. Sister Diane is most noted for her creation of a stained glass window for the 9/11 Memorial in New York City.
Sister Diane has extensive workshop experience, speaking in colleges, churches, businesses and art associations all over the United States and the Caribbean on the topic of “The spiritual Dynamics of Stained Glass” and our call to use our gifts.
She spearheaded the stained glass program at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida, which awarded a four-year degree with a Major in Art Design and a Minor in Stained Glass.
Sister’s studio was part of the recovery team for the churches and buildings in Bay St. Louis and Biloxi Mississippi in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Sister Diane has had her work published in magazines and newspapers. She was awarded the President’s Art of Achievement award and has appeared on Good Morning America and the Today show in New York City. She has been published in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Women and Who’s Who in the World from 2002 to 2009.
Sister Diane teaches classes at her studio as well as at The First Coast Technological Institute. She also operates a full-service stained glass studio in St. Augustine, Florida where she and four other glass artists create and restore stained glass for churches around the world.
Contact Information:
Sisters of St. Joseph Architectural Stained Glass
2745 Industry Center Rd., Suite 6
St. Augustine FL 32084
1-904-823-1918
liteart@aol.com
About Ardra K. Hartz
A native of Central and Southern Indiana, Ardra’s interest in glass art began in the 1970’s when, during her student teaching experience, she guided students in a colorful glass mosaic project. Pursuing stained glass, afterwards, on her own, she availed herself of every possible source of information and training. Her professional work began in 1985 when she established Joylight Glass Art Studios, Inc. Along the way she continued her independent study of architectural stained glass, including resume-based participation in several hands-on restoration workshops directed by Art Femenella. Later she changed the studio name to DJV Art Studio. Her glass painting training includes study with Dick Millard, Kenneth Leap, Kathy Jordan, and some individual guidance by Nick Parrendo.
She has completed over 700 commissions, in residential and other architectural work, replication and restoration work, special projects for the Evansville museum and for churches in several states, and painted ecclesiastical windows, both singular and in series. She has done painting restoration work at Zion Chapel, Jumonville, PA. Her most memorable commission to date is the re-creation, from a photograph, of a missing 59 “X 72” staircase window for an historic 1905 home. The center area featured a fully painted pastoral scene. Her work brings quality technical skill and inspiration together so that every panel is alive with the full interplay of light, design, and execution. Living spaces and public spaces need art to refresh the spirit, stimulate imagination and challenge the psyche. These goals guide her work.
In addition, her articles and columns have been published in Stained Glass Quarterly, Glass Art, Glass Craftsman, and other publications since 1990. Her feature article, “Beyond Art to Mysticism” (SGQ, Spring 1997), has been selected as resource reading for Philosophy / Religion courses.
A member of the Stained Glass Association of America from 1990 to 2000, Ardra served on its board of directors for six years, and held the office of financial secretary. In 1996, she chaired an international glass art exhibition “Light Through Glass,” in Nashville, TN. She presented a seminar at a blended SGAA / AGSA conference in the 90’s, made numerous slide presentations to a variety of groups and led an explanatory tour for docents of ecclesiastical glass art in Vanderburgh County, IN. Currently, Ardra is a three-year member of the American Glass Guild, serving on its Education Committee and Finance committee. Ardra is the 2009 annual AGG James C. Whitney Scholarship auction committee chairperson, as well.
