About 30 years ago Barbara heard the first announcement about the Michigan Stained Glass Census being organized under the auspices of Michigan State University Museum. She is now the Director of the program, and an MSU Museum Research Assistant which is purely volunteer. There are now over 1200 buildings, mostly churches that have registered their stained glass windows.
She will be working with Michigan colleges over the next several years so they can incorporate/encourage student research, graduate work or interns within the overall scope of the Michigan Stained Glass Census.
Barbara gives slide lectures on “The Art and Architecture of Stained Glass”, utilizing her own photos from France, Germany, England and Scotland as well as interesting situations from around the US as well as Michigan. Stained glass is primarily a liturgical art form, however very interesting examples can also be found in libraries, older municipal buildings, on university campuses, and of course in private homes.
About 10 years ago, she was involved in the organization of a new stained glass association, the American Glass Guild, and has been an ardent supporter of this group that “cultivates novices and facilitates experienced artists and craftspeople to attain a higher level of expertise.”
Over the years Barbara has been asked to provide condition assessments of stained glass windows in many Michigan churches. Barbara was one of the authors of the recent book, Detroit’s Historic Houses of Worship and as the book was one of the 2013 Michigan Notable Books, the presentations now include information specific to Detroit churches.