2025, which has marked the 150th anniversary of Charles J. Connick’s birth (and the 80th of his death), has been a particularly significant and productive year for the Foundation. One of our principal projects has been the planning and organization of a lecture-tour in October this year by Peter Cormack MBE FSA, which celebrated the publication last year of his book Charles J. Connick, America’s Visionary Stained Glass Artist (Yale University Press, 2024). Peter, who is an Honorary Director on the Foundation’s board, lectured to enthusiastic audiences in New York City at the Cathedral of St John the Divine and the Harvard Club, and in Boston at the Athenaeum and the Chilton, Tavern and St Botolph Clubs. He also signed copies of the book, which has received very positive reviews in various journals and magazines in both the USA and the UK. The most recent, written by the eminent stained glass historian Julie L. Sloan, appeared in the current (Fall 2025) issue of Nineteenth Century, the magazine of the Victorian Society in America. It describes the book as “a thorough and masterful telling of Connick’s artistic journey and legacy” and “perhaps the best biography of an American stained-glass artist to date.” Ms. Sloan’s review concludes that “it provides a format upon which all future biographies of American stained-glass artists should rely.” Richly illustrated in full color and with an authoritative text, this pioneering and very readable account of Charles J. Connick’s career is the fruit of many years of the author’s scholarly research, with which the Foundation has been closely associated since the 1990s.
Over the years, the Foundation has been actively involved in preserving examples of the Connick studio’s stained glass. In collaboration with the City of Newton, MA., we have ensured that the Poetry windows (illustrating verses by Emily Dickinson and Robert Frost) which Charles J. Connick made for the former Newtonville Public Library, have been expertly conserved by Roberto Rosa of Serpentino Stained Glass, Needham, MA., prior to their re-installation in Newtonville’s new Cooper Center in December. The gift of Charles J. Connick and his wife Mabel Coombs Connick, the two windows were originally dedicated in December 1939 at a ceremony attended by the artist and his friend Robert Frost. Illustrated articles by Peter Cormack and by Roberto Rosa on the history and conservation of these windows have been featured in the special Centenary Issue of The Journal of Stained Glass (Volume 48), published by the British Society of Master Glass Painters.
After the Foundation was given Connick’s eleven windows, made in 1926 for the former Play Room of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital windows, we began exploring the possibility of donating them to a suitable museum. The eleven windows, which depict scenes and characters from the world of children’s literature, are superb examples of Connick’s ‘Arts & Crafts’ style of secular glazing. We are hopeful that they will soon find an appropriate new home. From time to time, the Foundation is given or bequeathed items associated with members of the Connick studio. Karl Heinz, a long-time supporter, left the Foundation in his will a number of items belonging to his grandfather Peter Hansen (1871-1950), who was one of Charles J. Connick’s most skilled and valued co-workers. The collection includes sketchbooks and some stained glass pieces. The Foundation is in the process of researching and making an inventory of this important and generous donation.
The Connick Foundation’s mission is to educate the general public to the vitality that is so richly embodied in the finest stained glass. It is an art that, at its best, communicates profound spiritual, emotional and intellectual qualities. Peter’s illustrious book Charles J. Connick, America’s Visionary Stained Glass Artist, now places Connick at center stage, not only amongst the stained glass community but also for the general public.
Your contributions this year will go to restoring the eleven Connick windows that Cincinnati Children’s Hospital kindly gave to the Connick Foundation.
We are abundantly grateful to all of you who so kindly and generously contribute to the Connick Foundation’s success.