News from the Stained Glass Museum
SGM Collections now on ART UK
One hundred objects from The Stained Glass Museum’s unique collection of art are now represented on Art UK, a unique online resource featuring public art collections from across the UK. Explore here. (Fig. 1). As we launched the collection in November 2022, we also shared our first ‘story’ entitled ‘Mary Lowndes: pioneering stained glass artist and advocate of women’s rights’. This article focuses on ‘The Finding of the Saviour in the Temple’ panel by Mary Lowndes.
SGM Workshop Programme 2023
We have now launched our adult workshop programme for 2023. Why not try your hand at the traditional skills of glass painting, leading and glazing, learn the copper foiling technique popularised by American innovator Tiffany, or experiment with glass fusing. Workshops are all suitable for beginners, and take place in small classes with expert tutors. For more information, dates and booking see https://stained-glass-museum.arttickets.org.uk/
2023 Study Tour: Shrewsbury & Shropshire
The museum’s 2023 Study Tour will take place in Shrewsbury, 20-23 April 2023 from where we will explore the delights of Shropshire
Programme
Shropshire is a delightful county with much to offer the stained-glass enthusiast. The prominent towns of Shrewsbury in the north and Ludlow in the south contain some of the most interesting and important stained glass of the medieval period. David Evans, one of the most talented artists of the early ninettenth century, produced much stained glass in partnership with John Betton of Shrewsbury. Betton & Evans were pioneers in the early gothic revival, producing windows in both pictorial and transitional gothic styles and we will see several examples of their work. In addition, the county boasts lesser well-known examples of the work of twentieth-century artists such as Margaret Rope (Shrewsbury and Newport), Louis Davies, and Thomas Early of Dublin (Ludlow) amongst others. Over the course of three days we will visit more than 15 sites. Fitness: You will need to be fit enough to get on and off a coach and undertake some walking. Given the size of Shrewsbury and proximity of sites, one day will be spent on foot in the town. The total area covered over the course of the day will not exceed 3-4 miles in total, and the longest stretch will be 10-15 minutes max (0.5 miles).
Accommodation
We will be staying at the Mercure Shrewsbury Albrighton Hall Hotel & Spa, north of Shrewsbury. Albrighton Hall is an eighteenth-century former manor house nestled in 15 acres of grounds with an ornamental lake. Parking is available on site, and guests have complimentary internet access and TV in their rooms. Guests are also able to use the hotel’s leisure facilities including indoor heated pool, sauna, steam and ice room.
Guides
The 2023 Study Tour will be primarily guided by Dr Jasmine Allen, Director & Curator of The Stained Glass Museum.
For more information and booking please go to; https://stainedglassmuseum.com/toursandlectures
Applications For Student Places
We are delighted that thanks to the generosity of individual museum Friends, we are able to offer a Student Bursary this year. For more information please download the Bursary Application Form. Deadline: Friday 24 February 2023, 5pm.
Exhibition: Petri Anderson: Woodland scenes
8 April 2023 – 1 September 2023
These dramatic woodland vistas (Fig. 2) are inspired by the woodland habits of Anderson’s Finnish roots and local English woodlands nearby Anderson’s current home in the Chiltern Hills. The scenes are punctuated by vivid depictions of animals, some of which are native – the badger, deer, squirrel and owl, and others more exotic and even mythical – the lynx, lion, and unicorn. These juxtapositions create scenes with natural imagery that is simultaneously familiar and out of place. Many of these panels have an added political dimension, with animals symbolising seismic changes in nation and state, shifts in leadership and power, as well as the global impact of climate change. Anderson employs both traditional kiln-fired glass paints and enamels and acid-etching areas of coloured glass to achieve both finely painted detail and rich colour hues. Petri Anderson AMGP studied restoration glass painting under Peter Archer and Alfred Fisher in 1989, and in the late 1990s succeeded Archer as head designer and painter at Chapel Studio in Hertfordshire. In 2005 he established his own studio, Mongoose Stained Glass, and undertakes domestic and ecclesiastical commissions as well as restoration work. Anderson’s work can be seen across the country in parish churches, cathedrals, private homes, schools, colleges and city livery companies. Liturgical projects include the Pat Salvage memorial window for St. Nicholas Church in Kelvedon Hatch, which received a diocesan award for design, and three windows for St. Andrew’s Church, Hyde Heath. In recent years his portfolio has taken on a new dimension with work in Japan, Central Asia, Finland and the Caribbean. Petri is an Associate member of the British Society of Master Glass Painters (BSMGP).
For more information: https://stainedglassmuseum.com/Exhibitions
Talks for the 2023 Season
8 March – Alison Kinnaird
15 March – Debora Coombs
22 March – TBC
For more information: https://stainedglassmuseum.com/toursandlectures
News from Australia

Ferguson & Urie, ‘Coursing’, detail of the hall window (1876), Rupertswood (Victoria). Photo (c) Ray Brown.
Beverley Sherry has been in touch to advise fellow Vidimus readers that the entire proceedings of the conference, GLASS: Vision Reflection Imagination, Australia’s contribution to the International Year of Glass (2022), have now been video recorded.
The Conference Program is here and the recordings here.
Her own contribution, the 2022 William Montgomery Annual Lecture, entitled ‘Australia’s’ Hidden Windows’, can be found at Day Three: 19 Day03 Special Event. She also commends all five sessions on Day One as well as the windows of St John’s Church Flinders (Day 02 Keynote Conversation), stained glass in Melbourne churches (Day 02 session 05), the amazing work of Yhonnie Scarce (included at end of Day 02 Session 06) and the stunning peacock dome (which took 15 months to make), a documentary premiere following Beverley’s own lecture.