INTRODUCING THE GLAZIERS’ EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP

Renter Warden and prominent stained glass artist John Reyntiens and the special panel created for this initiative

We created The Glaziers’ Education Partnership (GEP) in 2022. We want to work with partners, other charities and stained glass artists on a range of initiatives for
young people to highlight the dynamic possibilities for stained glass in communities and the built environment. We aim to provide opportunities for young people to learn more about the art and craft of stained glass, its history and cultural impact; and how
it can be used as a medium for creative expression.

‘We See You’ and ‘Seeing through our Eyes’

We have collaborated with schools and young people in the London Borough of Southwark. Working alongside The Clewer Initiative in 2022 we highlighted the effect of modern-day slavery in their community: ‘We See You’.

The participants, from a range of
backgrounds and aged twelve to fourteen, worked collaboratively to design a stained-glass panel to help articulate their findings. Participants visited the Stained
Glass Collection at The Victoria and Albert Museum for a guided tour and saw glass artists working at The Reyntiens Glass Studio..

The Mayor and Mayoress of Southwark, The Dean of Southwark, The Master Glazier (2021-22) with artist John Reyntiens, students and others.

Southwark Cathedral was the venue for a formal presentation and reception by participants on the impact of modern day slavery in Southwark; and the unveiling of
a special stained glass panel by The Mayor of Southwark, Councillor Sunil Chopra.
The back-lit stained glass panel, a powerful artwork, subsequently went on a rotational display to schools in the area and on display also at Southwark Cathedral
and Glaziers’ Hall. We are grateful to other community bodies in Southwark for helping to fund this work and especially to the Southwark Diocesan Board of Education (SBDE).

Feedback from participants and schools has been overwhelmingly positive. Specific comments will be used to improve future actions.

For us, this is a welcome opportunity to promote and encourage an appreciation of stained glass and to introduce young people to traditional stained glass craft skills.

In 2023, we collaborated successfully again with local funding partners, schools in Southwark, SBDE and Southwark Cathedral on a similar project – this time addressing serious youth violence: ‘Seeing through our Eyes’. The glass panel produced to commemorate this project has also been displayed at Glaziers’ Hall and Southwark Cathedral.

The panel created in 2023 for ‘Seeing though our Eyes’ on display at Southwark Cathedral

‘Seeing through our Eyes’ Glass artist John Reyntiens (right) with young people,
teachers and members of the Glaziers’ Education Project team.

Glass Insights: Visits

The Glaziers’ Education Partnership has also worked with schools in Westminster and Winchester to establish shorter ‘glass insights’ workshops and excursions. Glass artist Sophie Hacker has attended schools and led site visits for young people to learn more about stained glass (including contemporary architectural glass art) and how it can be used as a modern medium for creative expression.

Young Glass Ambassadors: The Future

Building on these initiatives, our longer-term ambition is to develop a Young Glass Ambassadors Project. We will continue to work with schools in Southwark, where Glaziers’ Hall is situated, establish partnerships in other parts of London and elsewhere on ‘Glass Insights’, capitalising initially on locations that might support stained glass art, craft- skills training and conservation programmes. If you are interested in working with us, or would like to become a funding partner, please contact our Clerk, Liz Wicksteed: clerk@worshipfulglaziers.co.uk

Acknowledgements and Thank you

We owe the success of The Glaziers’ Education Project to a number of people and organisations.

Thank you to our partners: The Clewer Initiative, The Victoria & Albert Museum, and glass consultant Terry Bloxham; John Reyntiens MBE and Reyntiens Glass Studio, Helen Whittaker MBE of Barley Studio, York, Southwark Diocesan Board of Education, The Dean of Southwark and Andover Parish.

Thank you to our Funders: St Mary Newington United Parochial Foundation,
Newcomen Collett Foundation, St Olave’s School’s Foundation; the Amicable Society, Rotherhithe.

Thank you also to participating schools including: Bacon’s College Rotherhithe, Christ’s School Richmond, Kings School, Winchester.

Thanks to Andy Lane, Elizabeth James, Southwark Alderman Tim McNally CC, Richard Blausten, Rebecca Rumens, Revd Christopher Kevill-Davies, Suzanne Galloway, glass artist Sophie Hacker, and Pam Meir (Winchester Arts Society).

Resources for Schools: Video Presentation

Thinking about Stained Glass
Britain is a world leader in the cultural industries and stained glass is a wonderful example of an art form and creative medium that is all around us, including in major modern & historical public buildings, airports, shopping centres, hotels, places of religious worship and private homes. Helen Whittaker, GEP Member, glass artist and creative Director of Barley Studio, York, inspires young people to notice and appreciate the art form as a modern skill with deep connections to the past. Helen talks about the whole design process and the technical skills involved in delivering stained glass projects.

The video below was created by The Southwark Schools Learning Project (SSLP) and Helen was in conversation with Kit and Theo from Dulwich College.

If you would like to help us with The GEP or talk to us about funding and making a donation, then we would love to hear from you- please contact The Clerk at info@worshipfulglaziers.co.uk

GEP Members: Past Master Andrew Lane, Renter Warden John Reyntiens, Hon Chaplain Christopher Kevill-Davies, Court Assistants Helen Whittaker and Richard Blausten; Past Master Suzanne Galloway.