In the late fall of 2014, we were asked to see what we could do for a large church window for “The Gaetz Memorial United Church” in downtown Red Deer Alberta. The church recently installed new main entrance doors, with 2 large windows above these doors.
The church committee provided us with sketch design concept. We once again enlisted the stained glass design experts at Paned Expressions Studios Inc. in Edgewood Maryland USA ( http://www.panedexpressions.com ). Martha Hanson and her design team came up with the “Alberta Welcome” design. These 2 panels each measured approximately 6 feet wide by slightly over 2 feet high for a total of some 25+ sq ft of stained glass and contain nearly 600 pieces of glass.
In the construction of these windows we used a variety of beautiful art glass including Armstrong, Bullseye, Kokomo, Spectrum, Uroboros, Wissmach and Youghiogheny
The windows were a memorial gift from one of the congregation members.
Design by Paned Expressions Studios
This is the left panel of “Alberta Welcome”. The concept was to show a sweeping design across Alberta and as the windows faced south it was perfect to do this. On the left side of the left panel are located the Cypress Hills of South Eastern Alberta along with a lake in that area, our famous Alberta Roses, and the badlands near the Drumheller area. A road was designed to run up to a church located within the rolling fields of wheat and canola. The blue piece can be visioned as either a flax field or one of many sloughs located in this area.
The unfortunate part is that we are unable to get a full photograph of both windows together. The reason being that there is a staircase descending to the front doors on the left side with a wall on the right side, then another set of stairs descending to the church basement.
Design by Paned Expressions Studios
The right panel picture had to be taken from the descending stairs into the church basement which distorts the view somewhat. The 2 panels were designed to flow together therefore some of the crop land and parkland continued into the slopes of forest and foothills rising to the mountains. The mountain is Mt. Rundle located in Banff National Park with its reflection in Vermillion lakes and is a world famous sight to see in our Rocky Mountains west of Calgary, Alberta.
Design by Paned Expressions Studios
To give you an idea as to the scope of this stained glass window here is a picture of them together as they are above the doors of the church, however as stated above not a true indication as to how they look.
If you are ever in Red Deer a visit to the church would be very worthwhile, not only to see “Alberta Welcome” but the church sanctuary which has some of the largest and most beautiful old stained glass windows in Central Alberta.
We are grateful for the opportunity to do this window for the Gaetz Memorial United Church located at 4758 Ross Street in downtown Red Deer.
This “Alberta Welcome” would not have been possible with the outstanding help and design talents of Martha Hanson and her team at Paned Expressions Studios Inc.
