Cartwright Glass Designs continuing with tradition

The ancient Romans and Egyptians were creating stained glass as long ago as the seventh century and it is reassuring to know that in 2023 this art form is still well and truly alive in the accomplished hands of Steven Cartwright.

All of Steven’s work begins at his studio at Canalside Craft Centre in Stoke Prior. Here he creates the template for his vision and the creation is lovingly brought to life, whether that is in the form of a stained glass window for somebody’s home, a new commission or the restoration of a historic window for a listed building. The same high quality plus exacting care and attention are incorporated into every single piece of work.

An alumnus of Plymouth College of Art & Design and Chelsea College of Arts. Steven was also trained in all aspects of stained glass and leaded lights with a local company in Redditch.

The main focus is now on the success of his own studio. Locally Steven’s work can be seen in the chapel at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bromsgrove and he also created the metal and glass sculptures which can be seen within the grounds at the New Haven Unit based at the hospital. The inspiration for these was the leaves of the trees that were planted in the fruit orchard situated within the grounds. Another of Steven’s creations is the magnificent 10 light window of The Red Lion pub in West Bromwich.

The window was commissioned by Creative Black Country in partnership with the Arts Council to celebrate the rich culture of the Desi pub in the region. Steven designed the window to give the appearance of a traditional pub with a twist, featuring the sub- continent’s striking colours and cultural heritage.

It tells the story of the Punjabi community and celebrates the establishment of the Indian Workers’ Association by Avtar Singh Jouhl and American civil rights activist Malcolm X’s visit to Smethwick in 1965. The window has featured on the BBC News home page and more recently on Grayson Perry’s Full English series on Channel 4.

Other works include an Art Deco rooflight for the palm court at the Kimpton Fitzroy Hotel in Russell Square, London. This stunning feature incorporates 448 custom glass bevels within the design and illuminates the space below.

Also in London, Steven was commissioned to make a lift lobby lantern for Ancaster House. Rumoured to be the most expensive house in the U.K it is the Mayfair residence of British businessman John Cauldwell .

While chatting to Steven at his studio, Completely Bromsgrove asked whether he felt his trade wasa dying art. His initial answer was in the positive, though he did mention that the English Antique Glass Company, which was based in Rowney Green, closed its doors several months ago. It was the only remaining company making hand-blown sheet glass in the U.K and sadly this craft has now been declared extinct in the U.K.

From his studio, Steven offers discerning customers various forms of decorative glass from stained glass to leaded lights, sandblasted, kiln formed and fused glass. Contemporary new commissions as well as more traditional designs are managed in house from design through to production and installation. He also carries out the repair and restoration of existing stained glass windows and leaded lights and associated metalwork.

To see the master of this ancient craft at work, you can arrange to meet him at his studio, which is Unit 5A, Canalside Craft Centre, 138 Hanbury Road, Stoke Prior.You can also visit his website www.cartwrightglassdesigns.co.uk