Producer’s Blog: Stained-Glass Art at BeauVerre Riordan Studios

Growing up, my mom always had stained glass pieces hanging in our windows. Each piece told a different story and had memories attached to it, usually from a trip to an arts fair where it was purchased. I always enjoyed stained glass, but never thought about how impactful it can be on people’s lives, whether it be a window in a church, someone’s home or a small piece to hang in the sunlight. So, as a personal admirer of the art form, I was thrilled to cover a stained-glass studio on The Art Show.

BeauVerre Riordan Studios in downtown Middletown, Ohio is much more than a stained-glass studio – it’s a living testament to centuries of tradition. As the oldest continuously operating stained glass studio in the country, BeauVerre Riordan combines time-honored craftsmanship with creativity. The story of BeauVerre Riordan began in the 1800s, when a small glass cutting shop called Coulter and Finagin’s opened alongside the Ohio River in Cincinnati. The shop continued to evolve with new owners and names throughout the next century, maintaining its impressive reputation. In 1983, Jay and Linda Moorman merged the studio, known at the time as G.C. Riordan & Company, with their own to form BeauVerre Riordan Studios, keeping the legacy for quality stained-glass alive 185 years later.  

Today, BeauVerre Riordan Studios is a staple in Middletown’s vibrant arts scene. The building itself is in the heart of historic Middletown, once serving as a hotel for canal boat workers and later as a Murphy’s Five & Dime store many years ago. A diamond in the rough, the building was uninhabitable when Jay and Linda bought it, but through grit, determination and lots of hard work, they were able to restore it and give it a new life. When you walk into the studio today, you are met with an array of colors as sunlight filters through pieces of stained-glass art, casting beautiful patterns across the room.

Filming in the studio for The Art Show offered opportunities to focus on the intricacies of each piece. I discovered the limitless possibilities of stained glass, with an endless selection of colors and textures that can be used. A great example of stained glass is a church window that depicts a scene with people, using painted details fused into the glass to add depth and a shadow effect. No matter the subject, every creation tells a unique story, and these details bring them to life.

While visiting, Linda showed me a collection of archives that she and Jay received when they formed BeauVerre Riordan Studios, including historical photos of the former G.C. Riordan & Company and watercolor renderings of various stained-glass projects from many years ago. Jay said these pieces are one of his most prized possessions of his career. Rightfully so, because you can see how much artistic talent and craftsmanship went into creating every image. 

For those who have wanted to dabble in stained glass themselves, the studio offers a range of classes for all skill levels. These hands-on experiences welcome artists to learn, experiment and create under the guidance of experienced instructors. They also offer custom stained-glass pieces and restoration services. At its core, BeauVerre Riordan Studios is a bridge between the past and present – honoring historic traditions while teaching new artists. With every piece of glass cut, the studio keeps a craft alive that has captivated people in our region for generations. 

You can learn more about BeauVerre Riordan Studios in the upcoming episode of The Art Show, which premieres Saturday, January 17, at 6pm on CET and Sunday, January 17, at 8pm on CET Arts. The episode will also be available to stream for free on the PBS App:

https://watch.cetconnect.org/show/art-show/.

Brynn DeLange
Producer at CET/ Think^TV