Historic stained glass works from university archive now on display

A collection of stained glass panels from the archive of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s (UWTSD) Swansea College of Art has been permanently installed at in church in Welsh city, in a new partnership celebrating the city’s rich artistic and ecclesiastical heritage.

Swansea Minster, formally known as the Collegiate Church of St Mary with Holy Trinity, has offered to host a permanent installation of 10 free-standing lightboxes displaying stained glass panels drawn from the University’s internationally significant archive. The installation brings historic works into the heart of the city, allowing visitors to experience the vibrancy and craftsmanship of stained glass in an intimate and contemplative setting.

Stained glass has been taught at Swansea College of Art since the 1930s. For nearly a century, the College has trained generations of glass artists who have defined and developed the medium both in the UK and abroad.

Examples of work by former students and staff can already be seen in windows commissioned for the church in the 1980s and 90s, and this exhibition brilliantly augments these windows with a carefully curated selection of panels created by students, staff and visiting artists since the 1950s.

The works reflect a broad range of artistic styles and techniques spanning decades of creative practice, united by a shared and enduring commitment to excellence in craftsmanship.

Owen Luetchford, Swansea College of Art, said: “Swansea Minster provides the ideal architectural space to display work from our archive. It is home to some spectacular stained glass by many prominent British artists of the twentieth century, including several schemes by staff and alumni from Swansea College of Art.

“It’s been a pleasure collaborating with the team at Swansea Minster to realise this permanent exhibition and share our collection of stained glass with the wider community. The work on display is just a small selection from our archive made by students, staff and visiting artists since the 1950s. We’re very much looking forward to displaying work by our current students in the near future.”

Artist and historian Martin Crampin has been photographing and cataloguing this internationally important collection alongside stained glass artist Christian Ryan, Swansea College of Art, preserving its legacy and broadening access to it. Hundreds of the stained glass panels can be viewed online here.

Stained glass has told visual stories through light for over a thousand years. Its core tools, techniques, and materials remained largely unchanged for centuries, with every stage of the process carried out by hand. Innovative teaching at Swansea oversaw the combination of these traditional techniques with new ways of making artworks in glass for modern architectural settings.

Swansea College of Art remains a globally recognised centre for glass education. From design and glass cutting to painting and leading, the creation of new windows and conservation work demands specialist skills that are increasingly at risk if not passed on to future generations.

Through its specialist courses, facilities and expert staff, the College offers students the opportunity to master both traditional and contemporary glass processes, ensuring that stained glass continues to evolve and speak powerfully in the 21st century.

The partnership with Swansea Minster not only honours the city’s historic connection to the medium but also looks firmly to the future. Plans are already in place to exhibit current students’ work in due course, creating a dynamic and evolving display that connects past, present, and future generations of glass artists.

The installation is now on display at Swansea Minster, offering visitors a unique opportunity to encounter nearly a century of stained glass teaching and artistry in Swansea.