Stained Glass Design, Fabrication, Restoration & Repair - Kansas City - Johnson County Stained Glass - Estb 1982

 Steve  graduated from Kansas State University in 1975 with a degree in Biology and then completed two years of post-graduate work in the lab of Dr. Rob Denell.  During that post-graduate time he became interested in stained glass and in 1978 went to work at North American Art Glass Service in Manhattan, Kansas.  Steve apprenticed  there with Mr. Bob Lindsey for two years.  Bob had forty years of stained glass experience, primarily in the restoration, repair, fabrication, preservation and installation of church windows.  Steve's time with Mr. Lindsey includes work on historic windows throughout the Midwest. From there Steve went on to work another two years at Hopcroft Stained Glass Works in Kansas City, Missouri.  Hopcroft included a team of  artists and craftsmen engaged in the design, fabrication and installation of church windows along with church restorations, commercial and residential work.
 In 1982 Steve started Johnson County Stained Glass.  Early years of the business were spent primarily in the design, fabrication and installation of residential work. Ron Mather was an early benefactor, using Steve's work in most of the townhouses at Colchester Courts in Lenexa, Kansas.    In 1984 Gary Smith joined Steve and together they owned and operated the studio until 1995.  A team of some of Kansas City's best and most experienced craftsmen were employed in the studio and contributed to much of the work shown on this website. These craftsmen included Tom Rowekamp, Mike Pennington, Pat Lynch, Gary Tobey, Dan Tillman, Bruce Troeh and Bob Heintzen. During this time the studio produced original stained glass work for commercial,  residential and ecclesiastical installations as well as major restorations for churches in the Kansas City area.
 In 1995 Steve took a break from the business and taught high school science for a year. Gary continued to pursue and expand his fused glass work as well as continuing to do a full range of other art glass commissions under his own studio name - Gary Smith Studio. Steve and Gary remained friends and collaborators until Gary’s passing in 2008. 
 Steve resurrected Johnson County Stained Glass in 1997 with major restorations and new commissions in the Kansas City area. Projects for St.Mary's Episcopal, Our Lady & St. Rose Church, Francis Street 1st UMC, Trinity Anglican Church, Nazarene Seminary and Church of the Living God COGIC went on through 2005 along with assorted residential projects. Steve personally completed the vast bulk of this work on his own with help from Larry Etzen and Zach Daley. Gary Smith continued to provide artwork and services during this time.
 From 2005 into 2006 Steve was privileged to work with Kathy Barnard on several of her cutting edge stained glass commissions. Steve semi-retired from glass work as a full-time occupation in 2006 but continues focus on creating pieces of interest.   Current goals include an ongoing effort to continue documenting past works via this website as well as continuing to practice the craft.

This website is respectfully dedicated to the memory of Gary Smith, whose artwork and spirit live on and are displayed throughout the pages of this site.

About Johnson County Stained Glass