~ “Our Lady of the Valley”, Coldstream, BC. Images of the creation of this window were jury selected to be part of the Mosaic and Glass Arts International Exhibition 2023. Presented at the CEPA Gallery, Buffalo, New York.

~ Laura Gilroy was selected by the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals to be a member of the jury for the 2023 Annual Awards. “The CAHP Annual Awards showcase completed projects that demonstrate excellence in the conservation of heritage values, illustrate the viability of heritage buildings and sites for commercial, institutional, and residential use, and recognize heritage professionals across Canada who have contributed to their success.”

~Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, April 2018

~ Magnifissance Magazine, March 2018

~ Taste of Life Magazine, Jan/Feb 2018, debuting their Artisan Gallery feature which “provides glimpses into the stories and passions of artisans all over the world”

~BC Catholic, December 2017

~BC Catholic, December 2015

 

~CBC interview with John onsite during removal of the Great West window at First Presbyterian Church, Edmonton, May 2015

~CBC radio 1 interview with Rod Kurtz. The interview is at 8 mins 50 seconds into the podcast of the show, May 2015

~The Edmonton Journal, April 2015
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Careful+fragile+Church+century+window+cleaned+restored/11006143/story.html

~Featured Artists with Artsy Shark, February 2015

~Interview with Creators Vancouver, December 2014

~Sotheby’s In Residence (Dubai) October 2014 issue 03

~The Journal of Stained Glass (printed in London, UK) Volume XXXVII 2013

~The Now newspaper, August 2014

~THE CELTIC CONNECTION March 2014

VERMEER IN GLASS

VANCOUVER, BC, November 08, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ — Johannes Vermeer is an acclaimed 17th century Dutch painter and also the inspiration for a new stained glass window recently installed by Gilroy Stained Glass in the foyer of The Vermeer building on Fourth Avenue in Vancouver’s iconic Kitsilano neighbourhood.The artists, John and Laura Gilroy, describe the design and creation of this project as “an exciting opportunity to use the traditional artistry of glass painting within a contemporary setting.” and explain that “the window is an homage to Vermeer’s painting The Glass of Wine, however, unlike the original seduction scene in the painting, our window depicts two figures enjoying a more subtle flirtation over a nice glass of wine.”Painting on glass is very different to painting with oils on canvas, in that it requires techniques of stippling and shading to control how the light is viewed through jewel-like glass colours. The design incorporates a “stained glass window within a window” which contains fragments of painted glass that are over 150 years old, collected during the Gilroys’ career in the UK. As far as the Gilroys are aware, this is the only example of a Vermeer painting in stained glass.

John and Laura Gilroy AMGP have been involved in producing stained glass since 1985 when they began an intensive apprentice education in one of England’s oldest studios founded in 1788. There they mastered the traditional skills used in creating new windows and in the preservation and restoration of existing windows. They specialize in traditional and contemporary glass painting at their Vancouver studio. Please visit http://www.gilroystainedglass.com.—

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

By John Gilroy

January 17th, 2014

Vancouver, BC – This window in a new home in Kerrisdale, celebrates the storytelling, vibrancy and spirituality of Celtic art. The main subject is loosely based on the Marigold Stone, a 500 year old stone carving in Donegal, Ireland, where the artists have family who photographed the actual stone for them. Gilroy Stained Glass’ design emphasizes the complementary forces of relationships that interact to form a greater whole by depicting the figures in primary red and blue with a little of the opposite colour in each. They combined Celtic knots in the rising sun and depicted the Tree of Life with leaves and branches reminiscent of those knots and patterns, and the two birds representing the universal and individualized selves. The roots go deep into the earth through life sustaining water, and run parallel to the path depicting the journey all follow through life.

They studied the use of colour and pattern in The Book of Kells for inspiration on how some of the finest Irish/Celtic artists viewed their subject.They felt that a strong colour scheme with prominent primary and secondary colours, was vital to capture the essence of Celtic art. Their complete range of beautiful mouth blown glass allowed them to really give full reign to this concept and create a window with impact designed to provide a new dimension each time it is viewed.

Article about the Blessed Allamano window in Holy Spirit Catholic Church, New Westminster.

Article about the Resurrection East window at St. John the apostle Catholic Church, Vancouver, BC.

Article entitled “Canadian Studio Offers Custom Paintwork”

~The Province June 9th 2006

Picture of The Day – “Christ is in the House”. Article about our exhibition at the Architectural Institute of BC.