The 2009 American Glass Guild Conference
July 16-20, 2009
Buffalo, New York
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Kenneth Leap
Seeing Red: Lawrence Saint and the Quest for Medieval Striated Ruby
Lawrence Saint was the head of the glass program at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. He secured this position through his involvement with experiments at the Bryn Athyn Cathedral to recreate the colors and quality of the sheet glass of the middle ages. For him, the Holy Grail was medieval striated ruby. Lawrence ultimately achieved it, but his formula and method have been forgotten by time. This presentation will pick up the trail; traveling from Bryn Athyn, to the Smithsonian, to Corning then on to Germany and England unveiling lost documentation and presenting modern attempts by glass blowers to produce this elusive glass. In conclusion, the presenter will answer the question, “Can the middle ages and the craftsmen of the Gothic Revival still inspire us?” by presenting his own designs featuring striated ruby glass for a chapel in a medieval German castle.
About Kenneth Leap
Born in Camden, NJ, J. Kenneth Leap painted and exhibited watercolors in his teens before entering the Rhode Island School of Design. A trip to Germany sparked his interest in glass painting, a medieval technique that would form the basis for his future professional work. Now, 22 years after opening his studio, The Painted Window, J. Kenneth Leap is primarily recognized for his achievements in the field of architectural stained glass. His public artworks include a skylight illustrating the history of NJ in the Annex of the NJ Statehouse, "The Atlantic Globe" for the lobby of Historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ and major installations at the Veteran's Memorial Home in Vineland, NJ. In 1994 Leap was invited to relocate his studio, and become an artist-in-residence at the Wheaton Arts & Cultural Center, in Millville, NJ. Leap has taught workshops and performed demos in traditional Glass Painting techniques at the Rhode Island School of Design, Tyler School of Art, and at the Glass Art Society annual conference. For more information visit the website www.jkennethleap.com.
