FORT DAVIS — A special program featuring Fort Davis artist, Jeff Smith, is planned for the Jeff Davis County Library on Saturday, November 23, at 1 p.m. Known for his huge stunning architectural stained glass works, Jeff will show images of his designs and explain the unique process of creating “leaded glass.”
Smith had several detours in life, studying science, biology, philosophy, religion, landscape architecture and fine arts, finally leading up to the art of stained glass. He studied with leading German stained glass artists and founded his own company, Architectural Stained Glass in 1977. Winner of four “International Design Arts Awards” from the AIA/FRAA and two Corning Museum “New Glass Review” awards, Jeff has worked from Alaska to Florida and New Hampshire to Hawaii. In the year 2000, Smith moved from Dallas to Limpia Canyon in Fort Davis to establish his workshop and has since received international acclaim.
“The essence of stained glass is glass, lead, and light,” Smith said. It dates to the 11th century cathedrals of Europe where it evolved into a guild system. By the 1800s, more contemporary developments advanced toward architecture and the fine arts, leading into the 1960s and ‘70s when techniques further explored art.
Smith will discuss leaded glass and show examples of his huge pieces, which have been commissioned for residential, public, commercial and religious places — some in the tri-county area. For further information, call the library at (432) 426 3802 and visit his website at archstglassinc.com. This free program is sponsored by Friends of the Library.