A Window Into Stained Glass

Stained glass has a storied tradition of providing illumination, education, and inspiration. 

This illustrated slide  presentation by Donald Samick , previous owner of the J&R Lamb Studios, gives a historical overview of the development of American stained glass from the late 19th century to the evolution of modern designs in religious and commercial buildings by a wide selection of artists during the 20th century.

The talk will reveal that while most stained glass originated in the churches and cathedrals of Europe, and  is found in places of worship, not all stained glass applications are ecclesiastical in nature. They have also been incorporated into government facilities, universities, museums, well-known hotels & restaurants, and residential dwellings. 

Founded in 1857 by brothers Joseph (1833–1898) and Richard Lamb (1836–1909) in NYC, J&R Lamb Studios is the oldest continuously operating stained glass company in the United States owned by two different multigenerational families over the course of its 165 plus years: The Lamb and The Samick/Bleckman families. Donald Samick bought the company from the Lamb family in 1970 after working as an artist at their Tenafly, NJ studio for several years. The Studio has worked on major art projects over the years and has received many awards.   It has completed more than 15,000 new stained glass windows and 9,000 restorations in its history.

Donald has dedicated his entire career to stained glass, with more than 50 years of experience in the business as a craftsman, designer, and studio owner. His writings have been published in Faith and Form, Modern Liturgy, Stained Glass, and Your Church. He has lectured at The American Glass Guild, The Library of Congress, The New York Metropolitan Glass Club, The Stained Glass Association of America (SGAA), Adelphi University, Rutgers University, as well as numerous churches, synagogues, and civic organizations. He is a member of the American Glass Guild, Art Glass Forum–NY, and SGAA; he is a past member of the Appraisers Association of America. From 1996 until 2021, Donald and his talented artistic wife Donna Bleckman Samick, owned and operated the studio together.

The program is open to all and no registration is required.

It is made possible with the support of The Friends of the Livingston Public Library.