Please Find Enclosed Proposals for the Stained Glass Windows at First Presbyterian Church Along with Qualification and References
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
! January 19, 2016 Mr. Edward Kinner First Presbyterian Church PO Box 1094 Columbus, GA 31901 Dear Mr. Kinner: Please find enclosed proposals for the stained glass windows at First Presbyterian Church along with Qualification and References. Willet-Hauser has been a part of building America’s Stained history for over a century. Our reputation has been built over these many years with innovative artisanship and quality craftsmanship. Our experience ranges from the legacy of design that has influenced the look of windows across the United States to the historic restorations and preservations of priceless windows that have been damaged by catastrophic weather and unpredictable circumstances. Enclosed in this folder are proposals specifically designed for your windows’ needs including an architectural rendering of the proposals. There is also a CD about our company and references from other churches. We look forward to serving your church’s needs. Sincerely yours, WILLET HAUSER™ ARCHITECTURAL GLASS, INC. Mark Davidson Studio Consultant 800-533-3960 X710 MD/pjh Enclosures ! TM where light learns to speak™ toll free: (800) 533-3960 • fax: (877) 495-9486 1685 wilkie drive • winona, mn 55987 www.willethauser.com [email protected] page ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ....................................................................................2 Our History and Legacy .................................................................2 The Willets...................................................................................3 The Hausers .................................................................................4 The Phillips ..................................................................................5 The Bohannons ...........................................................................6 Noteworthy Projects .......................................................................6 References ....................................................................................11 Services & Products ......................................................................12 Inspection and Documentation ................................................12 Historic Restoration and Conservation ....................................12 Frame Renovation .....................................................................14 Fabrication of New Designs .......................................................14 Leaded ........................................................................................17 Faceted .......................................................................................20 Sculptured Gold ........................................................................21 Etched Glass ..............................................................................23 Lamination ...............................................................................23 Bringing Back Tradition ..............................................................24 Master Apprenticeship Program ................................................24 Studio Tour ................................................................................25 page 1 INTRODUCTION A significant part of the history of stained glass industry in the United States over the past 100 years belongs to Willet Hauser Architectural Glass™, Inc., the largest stained glass enterprise in North America. The company, located in Winona, MN, specializes in the design, fabrication, restoration and protection of leaded stained glass and faceted glass windows. One of the oldest in North America, the company was formed through the merger of two American stained glass studios: The Willet Stained Glass Studio of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the Hauser Art Glass Company, Inc., located in Winona, Minnesota. When the two united in 1977 they formed one of the largest stained glass studios in North America. In 2005, the company changed its name to Willet Hauser Architectural Glass™, Inc. to more accurately reflect the long- term direction of the studio. In 2014, the company was purchased by another stained glass family, the Phillips, owners of Associated Crafts™, who have been in the business for over 40 years. Today, the company specializes in complete conservation, protection and design of stained glass windows and the products that are involved in that process. From window inspection for insurance and historical documentation purposes to restoration and covering for those windows, Willet Hauser Architectural Glass™ is a full-service provider. OUR HISTORY AND LEGACY What is now known as Willet Hauser Architectural Glass™ goes back to its roots in 1898 when William Willet and his wife Anne Lee founded The Willet Stained Glass and Decorating Co. (now Willet Hauser Architectural Glass™) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Shortly thereafter, the studio was relocated to Philadelphia. Willet windows today can be found in churches and historic buildings in all 50 states and 14 foreign countries. Among the thousands of Willet creations are windows in the National Cathedral and the National Presbyterian Church in Washington DC; St. John the Divine Cathedral and the chapel at the United Nations in New York; and Grace and St. Mary’s Cathedrals in San Francisco, CA. For the 1964 New York World’s Fair, the Studio designed and fabricated the panels for an entire nine-story building constructed of faceted glass. The studio originally gained significant recognition in 1910 in a special international competition for stained glass window design and installation at West Point Military Academy. Twenty-six studios entered the competition—one of which was the famed Tiffany Studios of New York. page 2 Willet was the winner, and in the long range project installed lancets which are tall, narrow windows with a pointed arch top. They were contracted to install 2 lancets each year for 66 years—one lancet in honor of each year’s graduating class and one in memory of the graduating class of 100 years previous. Completed in 1976, it remains the longest continuing commission in the history of American stained glass. Willet Hauser Architectural Glass™ has received many coveted awards—from the American Institute of Architects and others— for their fine works. Recent awards include the President’s Award for Product/ Service of the Year by the Baltimore Chapter of American Institute of Architects and a Craftsmanship Award for stained glass restoration from the Baltimore Building Congress and Exchange. THE WILLETS Three generations of Willets have devoted their lives to what we today recognize as Willet Hauser Architectural Glass™. Studio founder William Willet was an American portrait painter, muralist, stained glass designer, studio owner and writer. An early proponent of the Gothic Revival and active in the Early School of American stained glass, he founded the Willet Stained Glass and Decorating Company—now Willet Hauser Architectural Glass™—with his wife and partner Anne Lee Willet, in protest against the opalescent pictorial windows which were the rage at the turn of the twentieth century. Before he began creating works in stained glass, William Willet was a portrait painter with a rather distinguished clientele. He painted portraits for President McKinley, John Jacob Astor, and many others. Willet was considered by many to be the foremost American stained glass designer at the time of his death in 1921. After William’s untimely death his widow Anne assumed management of the studio, followed by their son Henry Lee in 1934. Henry favored the Gothic tradition, and inspired staff artists such as George Gugert and Marguerite Gaudin to produce its bolder styling in intense hues. Under Henry’s guidance, the studio experimented with new techniques, and in the 1950s, was one of the first American studios to design and fabricate faceted glass windows. Willet Studio also developed the famous sculptured gold window page 3 technique and experimented with laminating stained glass, a technique known as Farbigem. Henry Lee Willet was an undeniably dynamic force in American stained glass until his death in 1983. In 1965, his son E. Crosby Willet—who had worked at the studio since he was 14 years old— became the third generation President of Willet Studio. Under his leadership, Willet windows were created for many of the major churches and cathedrals in the United States including the National Cathedral in Washington, DC and the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco. Mr. Willet has a lengthy list of unique accomplishments and commendations from stained glass, architectural and artistic organizations. In 2009, on behalf of the Stained Glass Association of America, Mr. Willet received the Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award—celebrating his lifelong pursuit of excellence in the art and craft of stained glass. His lifelong devotion to the studio his grandfather began continues today in his role as studio consultant for Willet Hauser Architectural Glass™. THE HAUSERS The focus of the Hauser Art Glass corporation, since its founding in 1946 in Winona, Minnesota, has been the maintenance, repair and restoration of existing stained glass windows. During World War II, the stained glass windows in the United States were neglected as the metal and glass that would normally be used for their repair was rationed for the war effort. Recognizing an opportunity to aid many of the churches whose windows needed care, James E. Hauser founded the Hauser Art Glass Company. James guided the company on a steady growth