The concept for this stained glass window grew out of the vision of the Rev. Jane Kottmeier who served St. Jude's as intern, Deacon, Priest and friend from the fall of 1989 until her death on January 20, 1993.
When St. Jude's The Apostle Episcopal Church was built in 1964, the north window was designed as a mosaic of warm earth colors that spoke of the time with simplicity and beauty. As the years passed and various panels were broken, they were replaced with a opaque colorless glass and the resulting "shower glass" window only faintly resembled the original.,
Jane Kottmeier dreamed that one day the window, with its large expanse and lovely north light, would be replaced, and the worship of St. Jude's might be enhanced through the addition of a piece of fine stained glass art. As her heroic struggle with cancer was ending, she asked that part of her legacy be used for that purpose. Her family and friends have helped to make the dream a reality.
Those from St. Jude's who were involved in the planning of the window are: The Rev. Joseph Kennedy Rector; Steven Kottmeier, Jane's husband; and committee members Susan Nash, chair, Mariko Akita, Jean Chandler, the Rev. Robert Hansen, Betty Harrah, Kathleen Kimberlin, Susan Moore, and Joellen Stolarik.
One of the most noticeable things about the architecture of St. Jude's is its use of clear glass set in simple grids, giving the feeling of worship set in the midst of God's creation. It speaks of a church not closed off fro the world, but one which embraces and seeks to be involved in that which surrounds it. Thus when the north window was designed, the need to express that theology was apparent.
The use of the apricot blossoms in the window reflects the apricot orchard in which St. Jude's resides. It is also symbolic of the Resurrection and the yearly renewal of life - a reminder that St. Jude's seeks to be an Easter community. Jane loved the view from her office window in the farmhouse. She was especially awe-struck by the scene when the window framed the apricot trees in the orchard in full fruit. It called to her mind the command to be fruitful in God's orchard. She asked her sister-in-law Tami Needham, a graphic artist, to depict this scene and feeling in a design which was to become her personal logo. It is this design which is the feature element of the stained glass window.
The cross overlaying the apricot design speaks not only of the joy and beauty of God's orchard but also of the work, pruning and pain which is needed to produce good fruit.
The selection of Virginia Fordice as the artist and designer of the north window was particularly fortunate. While her primary field is water color, Virginia revels in the change of pace to work in glass, with its use of large areas, light, color and physical challenge. She particularly enjoys using non-traditional religious designs in glass, hoping to leave open to the viewer the possibility of deeper emotional and spiritual responses.
The colored glass in the window is known as "curious" glass. It is produced by the glass-maker at the end of the day. Left-over glass of various colors are poured together and stirred to produce a "curious" effect as the glass-maker creates something which will never again occur.
Fro these sheets of glass the artist selects that which is most pleasing to achieve the image which has been envisioned. It was this process which Virginia used in selecting the magnificent colors and combinations which meld into each other to create the unique visual experience.
Most of the "curious" glass for the window was made by Oceana Glass of Santa Cruz.
While a clear glass was desirable for the back-ground panels, the German-made Fischer hand-blown glass, with its streaky appearance, gives an ephemeral effect which mutes the outside scene and makes the design of the window more apparent.
Virginia Fordice studied Design at the University of California Berkeley. She studied Ceramic Arts at both the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland and at San Jose State University in San Jose. She has also studied with Cal Bromund, Virginia City Nevada Herbert Sanders, San Jose and David McGuire, Santa Cruz. Her interest in glaze chemistry led to exploration in the field of leaded and fused glass, and in 1978 she initiated a commission glass business to provide an alternative art-form. Her works in glass may be seen at churches and institutions in the Santa Cruz area. Her watercolors are exhibited regularly throughout California and Nevada and may be found in collections in the United States and Europe.
Also contributing to the completion of the window were Deborah Gabris, Los Gatos sculptor, who did the essential reinforcing metal work and assisted in the leading of the design panels. Craftsman-in-wood James Barrett built the exacting framing for the installation of the window.
| Updated 10/29/07 |
 |