Stained Glass Exhibit by Aberdeen Artist, Nancy Oliver
(June 1 through July 29, 2009)

The term “stained glass” refers to the material of colored glass and the craftsmanship of working with it. Throughout its thousand-year history, stained glass has been used for windows in churches and cathedrals and other significant buildings. Modern stained glass artists have also included three-dimensional structures and sculptures. As a material, stained glass is glass that has been colored by adding metallic salts during its manufacture.

The Dacotah Prairie Museum presented the Stained Glass Creations of Nancy Oliver from June 1 through July 29, 2009.

Nancy Oliver, raised on a farm outside of Timber Lake, SD, learned craftsmanship early in life through beading and other craft media. Even after she married and while raising four children, Oliver tested her accomplishments in numerous craft areas and always kept her interest alive. As her children grew and started to leave home, she was freer to make her long-time interest in stained glass a reality. About five years ago, she secured instruction books and taught herself the cut glass/leaded method of stained glass. Stained glass, as an art and a craft, requires artistic skill to conceive the appropriate and workable design, and the engineering skills to assemble the piece.

“There are so many beautiful stained glass colors available,” says Nancy, “that the possibilities are endless. I have made stained glass pieces from geometric prairie design to modern to whimsical. For myself, I tend to prefer a Victorian style.” In this exhibit there are stunning examples of windows, lampshades and wall hangings of a kaleidoscope of rich colors. All have been cut into individual pieces and arranged into patterns or pictures held together by strips of lead whose joints have been soldered into a rigid frame. All pieces in this exhibit are for sale and the artist has also done custom work for individuals and housing contractors who wish to offer a unique addition to a home that is being built.

“It gives me great satisfaction to make a stained glass piece for someone, knowing it will last at least one hundred years. I hope that they will enjoy and admire it as much as I did in creating it,” stated Oliver.

To view other past exhibits, click here.