Humankind has been fascinated by the effects of light and color through glass since ancient times, resulting in both intimate and monumental works of art. Renowned stained glass artist Kenneth Leap, of Runnemede, N.J. will reveal the fascinating role the science of optics plays in a mystical experience of stained glass in his entertaining presentation, “The Dynamics of Light and Color.”
The presentation will take place on Sunday, May 22, 2022 at 3 p.m. in the Harrison Township Historical Society’s Richwood Academy Cultural Center.
Leap began his career in stained glass in 1987 when he opened his studio, The Painted Window, a year after earning a BFA in glass from the Rhode Island School of Design. Two years later he received a fellowship from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and is a council-certified teaching artist.
Since then, he has received numerous commissions and honors including ambassador artist for Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center in Millville, where he has maintained a studio since 1994. He was named artist-in residence at Glencairn Museum in Bryn Athyn, Penn. and was instrumental in the development of Bryn Athyn College’s program in the Building Arts.
He has served as president and board member of the American Glass Guild and lectures on historic stained glass techniques. He specializes in glass enameling.
Primarily known for his public art installations throughout New Jersey, including numerous N.J. Transit stations, Leap also restores historic windows. He recently completed restoration of a Victorian stained glass panel in the Historical Society’s collection salvaged from the historic Poinsett House in Mullica Hill.
Sunday’s program will take place at 3 p.m. at the Richwood Academy Cultural Center, which is located at 836 Lambs Road, Richwood, N.J. Information and free tickets for this event are available at harrisonhistorical.com and the society’s public Facebook page. The program will also be live-streamed and archived on Facebook.
The Harrison Township Historical Society’s arts programs are made possible in part by funding from the Gloucester County Cultural and Heritage Commission at Rowan College of South Jersey, in partnership with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State and the National Endowment for the Arts.
