Barbara M. Meise has quietly made her mark as a specialist in stained-glass creation and restoration at Artbuilders. Her studio, directly across the street from City Hall, is currently engaged in a project that has occupied her skills for the past three years: the Tiffany windows of Newark’s First Baptist Peddie Memorial Church, which was built in 1890.
“[The windows] are superb examples of his work,” Meise says, referring to master artist Louis Comfort Tiffany, “but time has not been kind to them.”
The meticulous restoration process will continue for years, she explains.
“So far we have removed and restored and reinstalled only about half of the 80 or so windows,” she says. “Then there’s the spectacular art-glass dome that has not even been put on the schedule. So, do the math.”
The German-born and -trained artist used to operate an art-exhibition gallery on her premises and take in repairs of residential stained glass. But with major projects like Newark’s First Baptist on her plate, she says, “I just don’t have time for that anymore.”
Artbuilders is located at 193 Montgomery St., open only by appointment. Call (201) 433-2682.
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