Stained Glass Restoration

Stained Glass Restoration

Roy Loman and his staff at Loman Studios, Inc. are not content to rest on their reputation as one of the region=s finest studios for the design and production of stained glass for residential and commercial facilities.
Loman started the business after several years as a hobbyist in the early >80's. He quickly gained a following among residential contractors who wanted elegant doors and windows for Eastern Oklahoma=s grander homes. As the residential market slumped, Loman moved his studio=s talent to the commercial area and became known for unique stained glass windows in Oklahoma churches. This prepared him for his most challenging project - the stained glass restoration and repair of the windows of St. Joseph=s Cathedral in Oklahoma City, following the Murrah Building bombing-a project which has brought accolades and media attention to the firm.
The stained glass restoration was not only a delicate artistic task, but it was also an emotional one. St Joseph=s has been an Oklahoma landmark since it was built in 1903. What was left of the historic stained glass windows after the bombing was merely a collection of shards which could easily symbolize the feelings of Oklahomans and the nation, which watched in shock at one of America=s greatest tragedies.
The damage had been massive. Seven double stained glass windows on the east side of the cathedral-those depicting the Saints-were completely blown out. The seven apse windows, showing Christ along with two angels and the apostles Matthew, Mark, Luke and John were also shattered. Only the west stained glass windows remained intact, and those were severely damaged. The objective was to repair or replace the windows so that the differences between the east and west windows were undetectable. Color matching was intricate, but what amplified the challenge was that every piece of stained glass in each window had been extensively painted by hand. This painting included amazing life-like features of the faces, hands and feet, shadows and folds in the robes and realistic details of the flowers, trees, buildings, sky and clouds. Painting on the stained glass is an art form that hasn=t changed in 900 years. After the painted details are applied, each piece of glass is fired in a kiln at 1,200 degrees or more, permanently bonding the paint to the glass.
When commissioned for the project, Loman had been provided a few slides, some very sketchy photos, and a number of boxes of the shards which remained following the blast. The stained glass restoration and repair plan which Loman devised was unique. It combined the heartfelt emotions of the 10 person team with their creativity and talents as artists. It also made use of late 20th century technology, which enabled Loman to provide a color master of the design of each stained glass window for his artists to work.
Loman artists are proud of their contribution to the healing effort. AIt is my personal memorial to the lives that were needlessly ended and to the families who remain,@ said one of the artists who worked on the project. Another volunteered to work without pay because she wanted to be part of the healing and rebuilding process.
The firm, which has created stained glass windows for more than 100 churches, created a finished masterpiece which replicated the original stained glass with unerring accuracy. The new and repaired older windows will remain a monument to the tremendous spirit of consolation and healing by the nation and the world.

Printed in Builder/Architect Jan 1998
 

Loman Studios, Inc. was established in 1981 building a reputation on quality custom stained glass and faceted glass. Interests, styles and designs are diverse from contemporary to traditional, Frank Lloyd Wright to exquisitely unique. We have designed, manufactured and installed stained glass art pieces across the country with numerous projects both large and small. Our designs are in commercial establishments from restaurant to libraries, residential (doors, cabinets, walls including ceiling domes and even decorative outdoor gates) and religious stained glass for mausoleums and churches of all sizes and denominations.

Loman Studios has been called upon numerous times to assist in stained glass restoration projects which require expertise and patience as the stained glass panels can be decades old. The restoration and replication of stained glass windows for the historic St Joseph=s Cathedral in Oklahoma City, which were destroyed or damaged by the bombing of the Murrah building in 1995, was one of the stained glass restoration projects we are most proud. We were chosen from among numerous stained glass studios across the United States to replicate the 52 stained glass windows.

Appreciation for glass art work has also spurred creativity in other areas. We have a fully operational glass blowing studio and do custom pieces for restaurants, residences and galleries. These include light fixtures for restaurants and residential to vases for mausoleums.

If you are considering stained glass, either for stained glass windows, stained glass restoration or religious stained glass, please call the experts at Loman Studios Inc. 888-696-5461 toll free. We look forward to assisting you.