Trailblazers of Modern Architectural Stained Glass in Canada

Trailblazers of Modern Architectural Stained Glass in Canada

Kathy Kranias

This lecture explores the trailblazing work of Yvonne Williams, Marcelle Ferron, and Sarah Hall. Highlighting the significant contributions of Canadian stained glass artists to modern art, these artists' technical and aesthetic innovations for various architectural sites will be discussed, emphasizing studio practices, glass techniques, collaborations with architects, and connections with patrons. Toronto-based Yvonne Williams was the first woman to establish a stained glass studio in Canada. Quebecoise artist Marcelle Ferron designed abstract stained glass from the 60's to 80's. Toronto-based Sarah Hall established a stained glass studio in 1970, creating over 100 public windows across Canada and the US throughout her career.

Artist Bio: Kathy Kranias is a Toronto ceramic artist, educator, and art historian. She is the 2021 Lily Yung Memorial Award recipient from Craft Ontario. Her SSHRC funded Master's Degree research and publications on Canadian art glass are featured in peer-reviewed journals and the exhibition catalogues Marcelle Ferron: Verre fusionné/Fused Glass (Éditions Simon Blais, 2024) and Public Art in Glass (Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, 2020). Kranias has exhibited her ceramics widely, including A New Light: Canadian Women Artists (2020) at the Embassy of Canada Art Gallery in Washington D.C. Kranias served as studio faculty in the Craft and Design Program at Sheridan College (2004-2018). She holds a MA in Art History from York University, a BEd in Visual Arts from the University of Toronto, and a BFA in Studio Art from Concordia University.