DURANGO, Colo., May 25 /PRNewswire/ -- When stained glass artists Eddie Leonard and Roy Sosa met in Chicago in 1968, neither could have imagined someday living nestled in the San Juan Mountain Range of the Rockies in southwestern Colorado, in the historic old town of Durango. Likewise, the east coast artisans and craftsmen in the late 1800s who designed and built the exquisitely colored five foot square stained glass floral and lattice window that is now residing at Angels & Lights Stained Glass Studio and Gallery in Durango, Colorado, undoubtedly never envisioned their work hanging in a Rocky Mountain gallery.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070525/LAF063 ) The window, believed to be made around 1885 with a current appraised value of $40,000, was custom-made as a commissioned artwork which once adorned an unidentified east coast mansion. While there is no "provenance," which is what antique dealers refer to for the proof of authenticity in the form of original documentation, signatures or perhaps photos, this window has been attributed by some expert viewers as being the work of John La Farge or his fellow artists.
La Farge was an early pioneer in the movement of stained glass art from the religious setting into home and public building decor in late 1800's America. La Farge is also credited with teaching much of his craft to a young Lewis Comfort Tiffany, son of the New York jewelry magnate. Tiffany Studios later became the gold standard in American stained glass art. Stained Glass can be traced back to its roots in ancient Egypt, then throughout Europe starting in the eleventh century.
So, here are two unlikely Rocky Mountain transplants and they own a number of antique stained glass gems "that are at this point taking up a lot of space and not being enjoyed by a larger audience," says Leonard. "We want to find some of these rare stained glass artworks a proper home in a public setting where they can be enjoyed by larger audiences."
The would-be public benefactor need only contact Eddie Leonard directly in his Durango gallery at 970-382-9858, or email him at AngelsNLights@aol.com to make arrangements for acquiring one or more of the antique stained glass artworks now sitting in Durango. " We want to donate to that place where the public viewing can be maximized, " said Leonard. Leonard and Sosa will decide who gets their antique windows by fall of this year. Leonard and Sosa owned and operated Tiffiny Studios Chicago from 1968 to 1972, which at the time was the nation's largest supplier of assemble-it-yourself stained glass kits that were sold in department stores and craft centers. After selling the Chicago business, each went his own way in life and business. Sosa went to California to work for a medical supply company and Leonard created a career in marketing; ultimately attaining the post of Senior Vice-President of Advertising for America Online, Inc. in northern Virginia.
"The AOL employee stock options were quickly converted into some major investments into antique stained glass," says Leonard. When it was time to retire from AOL, Leonard and his wife, Ann, had their eyes set on the lovely mountain village of Durango. "I remember calling Roy out in California and saying let's go back into the stained glass business." Each of the men maintained their stained glass art and craft during the decades, and Sosa was ready for the move. They met in Durango in 2002 and opened Angels & Lights Studio and Gallery near the old narrow gauge train depot that attracts travelers from around the world to this quaint cowboy and mining town.
The business has evolved away from antiques and into a lot of custom works for home builders, souvenir items for tourists, repairs and restoration, and they also teach. "These large antiques are just taking up too much floor space in our small gallery," adds Leonard.
"We need to place these rare items in good 'homes'." Leonard and Sosa would like to see their antique window collection installed in a public building like a museum, hospital or a historic site.
Leonard, gazing out at the majesty of the Rocky Mountain landscape says with a wonder in his voice, "Roy's family and mine have traveled far to finally arrive in a lovely place like Durango." Sosa then adds, "We want to see these old masterworks, which have also traveled a long distance, find a place where they too can spend the rest of their days in beauty while they bring beauty to the many who will view them."
Angels & Lights Stained Glass Studio and Gallery is located at 726 1/2 Main Avenue in Durango, Colorado. The company is owned and operated by stained glass artists and craftsmen with 38-years of experience in creating and restoring stained glass artworks for home and business decor.
Eddie Leonard
CONTACT: Eddie Leonard, +1-970-382-9858, AngelsNLights@aol.com
