Built in 1906 in West Philadephia, Calvary United Methodist Church had become a decrepit building by the 1990s. Congregants had put the building's Tiffany windows up for sale. The Victorian stained glass dome in the roof above the church's decaying sanctuary was removed and sold, but then a change of heart happened, the community worked together, and with the help of Partners for Sacred Places, a Philadelphia charity, the dome and the church are restored. Richard Driehaus, a collector who originally bought the domes said, "Sometimes it's better when you put [stained glass] back to its original context, I collect stained glass to protect it."
The art of light inspires, and its play with color captivates. Light's transforming quality fascinates, especially when it is captured by gemstones and antique stained glass that glow from within...
... When not in the studio or taking turns answering your questions, we like to blog. Thanks for stopping by! Al is skilled in the arts of goldsmithing, diamond setting and jewelry designing, and all of the jewelry here, except for mixed media, is Al's - - all meticulously done by Al, no outside assistance. Although there are a few collaborative designs with his wife Caroline, and there are her occasional oohs and ahs and what-if questions. Well, maybe a little more often than that! Most of the photography is done by Caroline, and she designs and handmakes mixed media art jewelry. If you would like to leave a comment to a post on this page - - it's easy! Look to the right of the title, and you will see a link all in red letters. Click that, and you will be able to leave a comment. Oh, and if you try to leave a comment but this site acts kind of funky, just hit refresh and then the window should come up. Thank you very much! Stained Glass Association of America The Preservation and Repair of Historic Stained and Leaded Glass The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art The Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows Metropolitan Museum's Gallery devoted to the Works of Louis Comfort Tiffany Corning Museum of Glass Museum of Glass The Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion The Blenko Museum If you like something you see here on beyondtherockz.com and you would like to post our links onto your own site, we'd be flattered! Just please be sure to note our site on your post - - July 2013 |