SDPB project explores SD Stained glass

Some of the most valuable treasures in South Dakota are hidden beneath the surface.

Barbara Johnson has unearthed many of them in her travels around the state. The humanities scholar has studied stained glass architecture in the state for two years. Her abilities will soon be showcased – along with the beautiful stained glass art of South Dakota.

“We really have quite a treasure trove of stained glass in South Dakota and it’s been really fun looking at it,” she said.

Johnson’s stained glass expertise – first acquired through a South Dakota Humanities Council grant project she started in 2010 – will be the centerpiece for an upcoming South Dakota Public Broadcasting Production that’s expected to draw interest from all corners of the state.

“History through Stained Glass,” a one-hour documentary (with accompanying web material) will examine the history and stories behind stained glass in South Dakota.

SDPB received a major grant for the project at the South Dakota Humanities Council board meeting in November 2011. Filming will occur in different towns across the state in 2012. The production will be released in late 2012/early 2013.

“SDPB is so honored to be working with Dr. Barbara Johnson,” said SDPB television producer Stephanie Rissler, who is producing the documentary.

Johnson, of Aberdeen, began studying stained glass after receiving an SDHC grant in April of 2010 to develop a Liturgical Arts database at Augustana College.

Her interest in stained glass was originally piqued several years ago when she attended a discussion at a church in Red Cloud, Neb. While listening to the speakers, Johnson noticed the beautiful stained glass adorning the walls of the church.

Johnson, who has a Ph.D in literature, then wrote an academic paper on the history of the glass for the Willa Cather Foundation, the organization that hosted the discussion. Her work was well-received, and she has continued to pursue stained glass history since then.

Rissler first met Johnson at the 100th anniversary rededication ceremony of the State Capitol in Pierre. Rissler was working on a production at that ceremony, while Johnson was speaking about stained glass. Rissler was impressed with Johnson’s speech, which eventually set the stage for a collaborative project.

“Our paths crossed again this past summer and the end result was a Dakota Life segment on Barbara’s work,” Rissler said. “The response from that Dakota Life segment was so positive we knew we needed to share more of the history behind these beautiful pieces of art. From there, our creative minds began working together to figure out a way to bring more of the stories behind South Dakota’s stained glass to our viewers.”

The documentary will showcase footage of the many stained glass pieces in buildings across the state. It will also tell the stories behind the stained glasses, which Johnson believes are an important part of the history of South Dakota.

The stained glass pieces peppered throughout various buildings in South Dakota make up a collage of work that has gone largely undiscovered, said Johnson. “South Dakota is like an art gallery on the prairies,” she said.

A premier event will be held to showcase the film after it has been completed. Johnson expects viewers to be taken in by the appealing stained glass contained within the walls of South Dakota buildings.

“When you walk into some place where there’s stained glass, you open the door and you never know what you’re going to see. And usually you’re totally amazed because it’s so beautiful,” she said.

From the South Dakota Humanities Council.

Note: Barbara Johnson was a guest Chautauqua Series presenter of the Madison Area Arts Council, and spent several weekends in Madison researching the stained glass of our community as part of grant from the South Dakota Humanities Council.