Sunflower Stained Glass Studio

     We create a wide range of Tiffany-Style Stained Glass works of art.  Our overall design ranges from Traditional to Contemporary and we use only the highest quality domestic and import stained glasses.  Our location, snuggled in the Wayne National Forest in Southeastern Ohio, affords us ample inspiration to create a wide variety of original works ranging from small gift-size production pieces, larger commissioned work, to one-of-a-kind custom works of art.   I design my works, not only for the spaces they will occupy, but also for the people that live or work in that space.

     Our business has been near Amesville, Ohio since our inception in 1980.  In 1996 we suffered a loss of our complete studio to fire.  We rebuilt and have continued to produce stained glass art, surrounded by nature, in our new studio.  Our goal is to "Produce work that gives the viewer a sense of harmony and rightness" (John Matz).  

     The Tiffany style refers to how the stained glass is put together.  The edges of each piece of stained glass are wrapped with copper.  The pieces are then bonded together, copper edge to copper edge.  Tiffany style is also commonly called Leaded Stained Glass due to the solder used to bond the pieces together.   Because of this, many of our measurements are approximated to give an idea of size.  Exact sizing and inquiries into commissioned works  and custom orders should be sent to john@sunflowerglass.com or you can call (740)448-3955.  Studio hours are by appointment only. 

Our Studio Today

One Part Of My Workshop

Where I Get Creative

Our Old Studio In 1996

STATEMENT OF CREATIVITY

     I live in an intentional community - Sunflower Farm, hence the name of the studio.  The members of the community own their own homes, but we share the land in common.  The community is in the country.  I find the solitude and the beauty of the area are inspirational.  It's lovely here, and there's no season that I don't enjoy.

     My background is in social work.  One day I did what a lot of social workers do, I burned out.  I had always liked stained glass, but I didn't have a background in art.  So I took an eight-week night school class, quit my job and started doing stained glass.  That was in 1980.  I haven't looked back and have no regrets.

All of my work is reflective of my joy in life.

John Matz

About John Matz

     John Matz has taught glass-working techniques to people of all ages since 1984 in workshops and classes throughout West Virginia and Ohio.  He is on the staff at Foothills School of American Crafts, has taught classes through Ohio University Continuing Education, and West Virginia School of Crafts.  He has also taught individual classes and one day workshops on the process of creating Tiffany Style works through A Show Of Hands in Cincinnati and Art And Clay in Lancaster and Newark in Ohio.

     He received his BA in Sociology at Rutgers University in 1974, working in social services for six years.  Matz began his studies in glass work in 1980 at Ohio University and furthered his study of design under Nyoka Baker, Bradley Johnson, and Jane Bruce.  His work has received various awards and can be seen in galleries and retail shops across the country.  Matz resides in Amesville, Ohio and is owner of Sunflower Glass Studio, a wholesale/retail business where he also produces artwork for residential commissions.  John produces high quality design and craftsmanship in glass, from traditional quilt block patterned windows to individually designed contemporary pieces.