Chronology for Donald L. Bearden, owner of Creative Stained Glass
West Germany
1974 apprenticed in West Germany (Augsburg) with a Stained Glass Meister.
During his apprenticeship helped to construct 1,500 s.f. of leaded glass windows for a Church in Donauworth, West Germany.
Living in West Germany for three years, coincidentally discovered the book: "A Rebel in Glass", by Robert Koch, beginning a life long passion for Tiffany glass.
United States
1979 opened the first of four retail stores in Denver and Colorado Springs. Designing, creating and restoring 100's of stained windows and lamps for residential, commercial and Church buildings. Teaching over 5,000 students the art of Stained Glass.
1980 met Dr. Egon Neustadt author of "The Lamps of Tiffany." Attending his lectures and studying his vast collection of Tiffany Lamps at The New York Historical Society, New York.
Collectively photographing and studying over 200 original Tiffany Windows in New York City, upstate New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Chicago.
Currently
Involved in extensive Tiffany Lamp and Window authentication, appraisal, research, restoration and discovery. Appraising and authenticating Tiffany Lamps and Windows for various Insurance companies including; Transamerica Insurance Company, Church Mutual Insurance Company, and Lexington Insurance Group.
Lectured on Louis Comfort Tiffany's; personal life and art. Given numerous Tiffany tours in Topeka and Kansas City Church's; which possess original Tiffany Windows
Avid collector of original Tiffany windows, lamps and art glass.
Sold and auctioned numerous Tiffany windows and lamps to individuals; Sotheby's, Fontaines, and James Julia Auction houses.
2000 awarded first place in the religious art show for his stained glass window entitled; "Christ in Gethsemane" by the Trinity Lutheran Church, Mission Kansas.
2004 began phase one to restore eighteen original Tiffany Stained Glass Windows; valued at 3 million dollars for the First Presbyterian Church in Leavenworth, Kansas.
2005 restored "The Good Samaritan" Stained Glass Window made by Tiffany Studios, circa 1917; measuring 10' X 14' valued at 1 million dollars, for the Second Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, Mo.
2005 awarded first place in the religious art show for his stained glass window entitled; "Sunrise over the Promised Land" by the Trinity Lutheran Church, Mission Kansas.
2006 restored "Dorcas the Servant Disciple" Stained Glass Window made by J.R. Lamb Studios, circa 1910; measuring 6' X 10’ valued at $ 400,000, for the Second Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, Mo.
2011 restored 34 original Henry Keck Stained Glass Windows valued at $ 450,000.00. For "The Chapel of the Annunciation" St. Mary's College, Leavenworth Kansas. Henry Keck was one of Tiffany's prominent designers.
2014 completed phase two on the restoration of eighteen original Tiffany Stained Glass Windows; valued at 3 million dollars for the First Presbyterian Church in Leavenworth, Kansas. Including the installation of vented protective glass coverings.
Interviewed on T.V. and written up in various newspaper articles on Stained Glass. Won numerous art awards in the mid-west for his Stained Glass creations. www.creativestainedglasskc.com
Celebrating over 40 years in the Stained Glass field and remaining very active with custom window design, repairs, historic restorations, and appraisals. Don is working out of his studio in Lenexa, Kansas.