Leonie Seliger ACR – Director of The Cathedral Studios
Leonie Seliger is Director of the studio and responsible for the conservation of the stained glass windows of Canterbury Cathedral. Leonie also advises the Dioceses of Canterbury and Rochester on faculty applications involving windows in the churches of the dioceses. She studied glass painting and design at Hadamar College in Germany, and holds an MA in Buildings Conservation from the University of York. She is a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers and an ICON accredited conservator/restorer. She joined the studio in 1991, leading it since 2005.
Bettina Koppermann- Senior Conservator
Bettina studied Stained Glass and Glass Painting at Neugablonz in Germany gaining a journeyman qualification. She joined the studio in 1989 as a Conservator. She is now a senior Conservator, Glass Painter, Glazier and Designer.
David Griffiths AMGP - Site Foreman/Senior Glazier
David studied Architectural Stained Glass at Swansea College of Art and joined the studio in 1994. He is the Site Foreman and Supervisor, Glass Painter, Glazier and Designer. He is an Associate of The British Society of Master Glass Painters.
Alison Eaton ACR – Senior Conservator and Assistant to the Director
Alison studied Architectural Glass Design (BA Hons) from the Institute of Art and Design Wrexham. She joined the studio in 1998 as a Conservator, Glass Painter, Glazier and Designer. She is also assistant to the Director and is ICON accredited.
Fernando Cortes Pizano – Conservator
Fernando studied History of Art in Madrid followed by an MA in Stained Glass Conservation in Antwerp and worked for several years in Europe and teaching in Spain. Fernando takes part in research and is regularly published on the subject of stained glass conservation. He came to the UK and worked in several Studios/Cathedrals before joining the studio in 2015 as a Conservator and Glazier.
Sarah McTiernan - Conservator
Sarah studied BA Fine and Applied Arts at Canterbury Christchurch University, followed by an MA in Stained Glass Conservation and Heritage Management at The University of York. After completing the Worshipful Company of Glaziers' Award for Excellence in 2018, and working as a freelance conservator for a time, she joined the studio in 2020 as a Conservator.
Aiden Bell-Smith - Glazier ----- Isabelle Davies - Conservator
Aiden studied BA Glass and Ceramics with the National Glass Centre at Sunderland University, joining us as a Glazier at the studio in 2022. He has been a real asset and a driving force behind recent projects.
Isabelle studied Classical Archaeology and Ancient History at Oxford University and then and MA in Stained Glass Conservation and Heritage Management at the University of York. She served the Worshipful Company of Glaziers' Ashton Hill Award before joining the studio in 2023.
Joy Bunclark Meade ACR – Conservator
Joy studied a BA in Conservation and Restoration at The University of Lincoln. She was awarded a 2 year Fellowship with Historic Scotland in Stained Glass Conservation in Glasgow before joining the studio in 2006 as a Conservator. She is ICON Accredited.
The Studio
The Cathedral Studios workshop is based in the heart of the City of Canterbury, set inside the Cathedral precincts. The workshop is equipped with conservation, painting and designing spaces and a glazing workshop. We have our own lead milling facilities and darkroom photography studio. The glass in our care is stored in climate controlled and secure areas. The studio is able to accommodate small and large scale projects.
Heritage
Stained glass conservation and restoration at Canterbury Cathedral started relatively early, and was entrusted to four generations of the same family (Austin and Caldwell) for over 130 years. George Austin (Senior) was first appointed Surveyor to the Cathedral in 1819. This was a significant time and was the starting point towards the strong interest and campaign in the repair and conservation of the stained glass windows in the Cathedral
Continuity
In 1972 The Cathedral Studios Stained Glass Workshop was established and still undertakes the care and conservation of the stained glass windows at Canterbury Cathedral. A part of The Cathedral Studios today also work in the conservation and restoration of stained glass with commercial clients who include English Heritage, The National Trust, Westminster Abbey, Gloucester Cathedral, Parish Churches, Castles, Museums, Stately homes and Private homes throughout the country. The Studio is one of the leading stained glass conservation studios in the UK.
