Competition entrants are required to design a Memorial Window dedicated to the crew of the Titanic, to be installed at historic St Mary’s in Southampton. The Church is closely connected with the ship which sailed from Dock Gate 4 close by.
A total of eight hundred and eighty-five (885) crew were aboard the ill- fated ship, and six hundred and seventy-three (673) perished. Of the dead crew, some five hundred and fifty (550) came from Southampton, at the time a great tragedy for the city.
There are several memorials around the world commemorating many of those who lost their lives on The Titanic. St Mary’s itself has a memorial to the ship’s musicians who famously played on as she sank. Yet, no memorial exists to commemorate all the crew together and the tragedy they suffered.
The Chairman of the Glaziers’ Company Craft & Competitions Committee, Andy Lane, said:
“This year’s competition will enable entrants to showcase their skill and creativity and gives them a real chance of winning a commission. We’d like to encourage as many student and new architectural glass artists and designers to enter as possible.”
Michael Holman, the Stevens Awards Scheme Co-ordinator explained: “We are asking all entrants to incorporate a quotation from the Old Testament book Song of Songs ‘Many Waters Cannot Quench Love’ in their design, together with the emblem of the White Star, the company that owned the ship.”
Friends of St Mary’s Church, together with the British Titanic Society, have been campaigning to raise funds for the window. The final decision about which of the entrants will receive the design commission rests with the church and the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC).
The British Titanic Society’s crew memorial window fundraising page can be found at:
http://www.britishtitanicsociety.com/a-special-appeal-on-behalf-of-st-marys-church-southampton/
The entries will be judged by a distinguished panel of glass artists and designers
-The Judges are: Helen Whittaker, Alex Robinson, Martin Donlinson and Mel Howse; and architect Michael Weakley.
-The Judges form a cross section of distinguished practitioners working in a variety of styles, whose work can be seen in Ecclesiastical and secular buildings, both nationally and internationally.
-Helen Whittaker has been appointed Chairman of the Judging Panel.
-Judges visited St Mary’s Church, Southampton, on 10 November 2015 to view the competition site.
The Glaziers’ Company is delighted to announce the appointment of its judging panel for the prestigious Stevens’ New Architectural Glass Artist of the Year Competition 2016 for the design of a memorial window in St Mary’s Church Southampton, for the crew of the Titanic.
Judges:
Helen Whittaker (Chairman): www.helenwhittakerart.com
Award- winning Helen Whittaker MA AMGP has over 20 years’ experience in stained glass design. An alumnus of the University of Sunderland and the Prince’s Foundation (receiving the Hancock Medal for High Achievement), her work is found in Westminster Abbey, the RAF Club and the Connaught Hotel, and in numerous churches across the UK. She is Creative Director at the highly acclaimed Barley Studio, whose purpose-built headquarters are in York. Helen is a previous Stevens’ Competition commission winner (Ellerton Priory, 2002) and judge, and is a Liveryman & Court Assistant of the Glaziers’ Company.
Martin Donlinson: www.martindonlin.com
An architectural glass artist of international renown, especially for public art commissions, Martin’s work can be found in the USA, Mexico and Japan as well as throughout Europe. Current projects include installations for Lovefield Airport, Dallas USA, Selwood Manor Opera House UK, and Metro Station, Washington DC, USA.
Alex Robinson (‘Alex R’): http://alex-r.com/
An alumnus of Central Saint Martins’ Postgraduate glass art course, Alex won the Stevens Competition in 2005 and was subsequently invited to create a glass installation for University College Hospital. Alex has since established a highly successful studio, working on commissions for public & private clients as well as creating the ‘Alex R’ range of handmade glass that can be found in a number of independent galleries as well as in Liberty of London. She is a previous Stevens Competition Judge.
Mel Howse: www.vitreousart.com
A Stevens Competition winner in 1991, Mel’s multi-faceted portfolio includes public art installations, and one-off fine art pieces for interiors. Her designs utilize contemporary industrial materials such as toughened glass and enamelled steel, materials that can be applied to an architectural context. She is also much in demand as an international conference speaker and lecturer on glass art and design.
Michael Weakley, RIBA (Architect): www.michaelweakley.co.uk
A RIBA Chartered Architect since 1981 and based in Southampton, Michael is an expert on ecclesiastical architecture and is also affiliated to the Ecclesiastical Architects & Surveyors Association, the Victorian Society, the Hampshire & Islands Historic Churches Trust; and the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.
Chairman of Judges, Helen Whittaker said: “I believe this to be an extremely exciting project and hope this will be reflected both in the number of entries received and in their standard. I feel confident that the Judges’ joint expertise, in conjunction with the marking system in place, will enable an objective approach to the judging process that will inspire confidence in all concerned and encourage students and new artists to submit entries.”
Michael Holman, the Stevens Awards Scheme Co-ordinator said: “We are grateful to the Judges for devoting their time and talents to the Competition. I’m also grateful to them for visiting the Competition site and meeting Revd. Dr Julian Davies, who is the inspiration behind the campaign for a window to honour the lost crew of the Titanic at St Mary’s Church.”
The closing date for receipt of entries is: Thursday 31st March 2016.
The winners will be announced at a prize-giving ceremony at Glaziers Hall, for the Stevens Competition and other awards, in London on Tuesday 31st May 2016.
The Glaziers Company is one of the City of London’s medieval Livery Companies, or craft guilds. The history of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass dates back to 1328. It was incorporated by Royal Charter and granted Livery in 1638. Its present Master is Alex Galloway CVO.
The Glaziers Company is home to the Glaziers Foundation (registered charity number 1143700). One of its primary charitable objectives is to support education and training in the art and craft of stained glass and architectural glass. The Stevens Competition is designed to give student and new glass artists unrivalled experience of a design and fabrication commission process.
The Glaziers’ Foundation has also recently initiated an apprentice scheme.
The charity also supports and makes grants towards the restoration and preservation of important stained glass windows in public buildings in the UK. It is responsible for the London Stained Glass Repository and other awards to new artist and conservators.
More information about St Mary’s Church can be found at: http://www.southamptonchurches.com/stmarys.htm
‘Many Waters Cannot Quench Love’ comes from The Old Testament book Song of Songs, chapter eight, verse seven.
More information about the British Titanic Society can be found at: http://www.britishtitanicsociety.com/
