Tiffany's legacy in the Bay Area

Glass artist Ted Ellison recently guided guild members on a tour around the Bay Area that featured the range of work produced by Tiffany Studios.
Here are some of the highlights of that tour.

<--- Tiffany Studios art glass window at St. Peters Chapel, Mare Island.

When Louis Comfort Tiffany began making leaded glass windows, he wanted to break from the European tradition of painted glass, a fine example of which was featured in the first stop of this tour. The rest of the day was spent visiting installations that featured technical advances in glass production, inspired design and innovative fabrication techniques that would redefine the art of stained glass.

Painted glass windows by Heaton, Butler and Bayne, at St Lukes Church, San Francisco

St. Lukes Episcopal Church, San Francisco
Designed in 1909 by Benjamin Geer McDougall (who also designed Oakland's Cathedral Building, the first gothic revival skyscraper west of the Mississippi in 1914), this Gothic Revival Church is filled primarily with the work of London's Heaton, Butler and Bayne. Featuring installations both intimate and monumental, this is a prime example of the influence William Morris had on leaded glass of the period. The high quality of the painted decorative details can be viewed at eye level in the windows that line the outer walls of the chapel.

Detail of Tiffany mosaic mural, Lake Merrit Methodist Church, Oakland

Lake Merritt Methodist Church, Oakland

In addition to leaded glass windows, Tiffany Studios created mosaics for architectural installations and decorative objects. In 1922, three large mosaic panels were commissioned for First United Methodist in Los Angeles, and transplanted to Oakland in 1990. Each panel, measuring 17' x 8', displays the full variety of iridescent, mirrored, textured, and colored opalescent glass manufactured by Tiffany.

Detail of layered glass landscape panel by Tiffany Studios, Grand Lake Theater, Oakland

Grand Lake Theater, Oakland
Allen Michaan opened the Grand Lake Theater to share the large landscape panel and mosaic panel in the lobby. The landscape is a notable example of the plating technique frequently employed by Tiffany Studios, where multiple layers of glass are layered together to modulate color and suggest depth of field.

Three of the exquisite Tiffany windows in St. Peter' Chapel, Mare Island

St. Peters Chapel, Mare Island
The Chapel was built in 1901 and is home of the largest collection of Tiffany windows in the western United States. An astounding display of fine design and excellent craftsmanship, these windows represent the height of the Studio's output in an accessible and up-close environment. Each window features inspired color choices and employs an array of techniques (including painting, staining, acid etching and plating) to achieve the effects Tiffany sought. A must see for anyone interested in craft, art or composition.

Artistic License would like to recognize the stewardship of these sites, and thank those who graciously opened these spaces to us.
- Ted Ellison


photos by Ted Ellison
click on images to view larger

2009 Alameda Museum Lecture Series

Photo by Dennis Evanosky / Alameda Sun

The Alameda Museum has announced its 2009 Lecture Series, as part of Historic Preservation "Season" in Alameda

In April, May, and June 2009, look for events, tours, and lectures about the rich history of this island town!

The season kicks off Saturday, April 25, 11:00 AM with the "Webster Street Walkabout," a walk led by architect Richard Rutter.

Upcoming Lectures include:

• Thursday April 30: "A.A. Cohen and Old Fernside," by architect and historian Hank Dunlop. Underwritten by Michael Studebaker and Cynthia Audet, owners, Gallagher & Lindsey, Inc., Realtors.
• Thursday May 28: "A Home in Alameda," by local author and historian Woody Minor, based on his new book about Victorian era development. Underwritten by Ginger Schuler, member, Alameda Museum Board; Realtor, Harbor Bay.
• Thursday June 25: "Alameda: An Architectural Treasure Chest," a look at the Island City’s domestic architecture from the Gothic Revival to the Bungalow, presented by Dennis Evanosky and Eric Kos. Their talk is based on Alameda: An Architectural Treasure Chest written by Evanosky and published by Stellar Media of Alameda. Underwritten by Patricia M. Sahadi as a birthday present to herself.
• Thursday July 30: "Winslow Homer and the Post Civil War Era in America," Art historian Colette Colester returns with another dynamic lecture. Underwritten by Peter Fletcher, Real Estate Broker, Windermere Real Estate.
• Thursday August 27: "Just Across the Pond: Oakland Point and the West Oakland Marsh," by architectural historian Betty Marvin. Underwritten by Robbie Dileo; member, Alameda Museum Board.
• Thursday September 24: "Alameda Album" an illustrated talk by Paul Roberts based on two recently discovered vintage photo albums from the 1890s. Underwritten by City Council Member Frank Matarrese.

All lectures start at 7:00 p.m. at the Alameda Museum, 2324 Alameda Avenue, Alameda, CA.

for more information, visit the Alameda Museum website

Tiles and Terra Cotta in "Uptown Oakland"

Check out this cool event with our own Riley Doty


You are invited to join Riley Doty and the Oakland Heritage Alliance for "Tiles and Terra Cotta in Uptown Oakland"
Sunday August 24, 2008
A Walking Tour and Benefit for Oakland Heritage Alliance *
Time: 2 - 1/2 hours; Fairly easy walking

<---- the Howden Building, Oakland, photo by Daniel Martinez


We will survey Oakland's glorious legacy of architectural ceramics, viewing about 20 examples dating from years 1914 - 1931.

Particular attention will given to the preservation needs of terra cotta. Some buildings have been treated very well and others rather badly; we will learn by example about some of the problems of maintenance and
restoration of this wonderful material.

Meet at the Howden Building at 17th St. & Webster St. in Oakland
Tour begins at 10:00 a.m.
Come early to register and to view the Howden Building's tilework. We will try to have the entire interior open - not just the restaurant space.

Cost: $15.00 / * $10.00 for OHA members.
Free admission to anyone who joins OHA on the day of the tour.
easy street parking on Sunday / 5 minute walk from 19th Ave BART station.

San Francisco Arts and Crafts Show

This Saturday and Sunday, August 9th and 10th, Debey Zito will be exhibiting at the San Francisco Arts and Crafts Show at the Concourse, 8th and Brannan. The show hours are 10-6 Saturday and 11-5 on Sunday.
Look for other Artistic License members there as well!

George Zaffle at the 2008 SALI Convention

Fans of Decorative Painting will surely want to catch George Zaffle's class at the 23rd annual convention of the Stencil Artisans League, Inc. being held this week in Charleston, NC.

George will be teaching a Decorative Painting Extravaganza as well as demystifying the World of Decorative Painting to eager students from across the country.