Kenneth von Roenn announced as 2016 Keynote Speaker

Kenneth von Roenn 
Keynote Speaker
2016 American Glass Guild Conference
Logan Center for the Arts,
University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, July 9, 2016

   Kenneth von Roenn began his career in glass in 1970 at Louisville Art Glass. Within a few years he had become the General Manager and in 1975, he was promoted to President. In the early 70’s he was an active member of the Stained Glass Association of America serving on the executive committee and was chairman of the publications committee. During this period, he compiled a body of innovative work and expanded the reputation of the studio as one of the most progressive in the country. During this period von Roenn wrote extensively for several magazines on the topic of glass in architecture. He taught courses in architectural art at the U of KY School of Architecture from 1974-76. Recognizing a need to expand his background, he left the studio in 1977 to pursue a Masters Degree in Architecture at Yale University.

Also note the Kenneth von Roenn Workshop  on Monday,  July 11th
Exploration of Design Strategies and Techniques for Large Scale Projects

Lambert International Airport Chapel, St. Louis, MO, 1990

Exterior

Lambert International Airport Chapel, St. Louis, MO, 1990

Exterior Detail

Lambert International Airport Chapel, St. Louis, MO, 1990

Interior

Lambert International Airport Chapel, St. Louis, MO, 1990

Interior Detail

    In 1991, von Roenn bought the Louisville Art Glass Studio and renamed it Architectural Glass Art, Inc. He expanded and reorganized the company redirecting its focus on new roles for glass in architecture. The studio became recognized for its innovative application of new technologies. He served as the director of design and CEO/President, managing a staff of thirty.

   In the late 90’s, von Roenn’s desire to expand the studio led to his search for a new space. During this period, he joined with a group of developers and investors interested in the revitalization of downtown Louisville as well as the region’s firm commitment to the arts. The group, guided by von Roenn’s vision of a multipurpose glass facility, formulated a concept for what is now known as Glassworks. From the original idea of a new home for Architectural Glass Art, von Roenn created a space for more than 50 glass artists to work, and sell their art. Von Roenn owned and oversaw the two galleries, a public workshop, a tour program, a special events program and the glass blowing studio, which comprise Glassworks. More than 125,000 people visited Glassworks annually, which made it one of Louisville’s most popular attractions. In 2012 von Roenn sold his interest in Glassworks to focus his attention exclusively on Architectural Glass Art.

Chicago Theological Seminary

University of Chicago, 2012

Together We Stand

Chicago Theological Seminary

University of Chicago, 2012

Together We Stand

Chicago Theological Seminary

University of Chicago, 2012

Together We Stand

Chicago Theological Seminary

University of Chicago, 2012

Together We Stand (detail)

   Under von Roenn’s leadership the studio executed more than 1,000 projects throughout the United States as well as projects in Japan, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, and China. In addition to designing his own projects, von Roenn has also collaborated with several significant artists on major projects including Al Held, Jose Bedia, Laura Battle, Thomas Sayre and Jennifer Bartlett as well as consulting on other projects with Judy Pfaff, Kiki Smith and Jaume Plensa. He has also worked with many of the leading American architects including Cesar Pelli, Charles Moore, William Turnbull, Thomas Ventulett, Graham Gund, etc.

   Von Roenn’s work has been published in numerous books and in every major architecture magazine including a feature article in “Architecture” magazine. He has lectured extensively throughout North America and Canada and has written dozens of articles on art and architecture. Von Roenn has received numerous awards, including the Faith and Form Visual Arts Grand Award, American Crafts Award for Architectural Art, the AIA Allied Professional Award, the DuPont Benedictus Award, the Corning Museum Award, the Al Smith Fellowship, Tau Sigma Delta Architecture Fraternity Award, five Ministry & Liturgy’s Bene Awards and four CODA/Worx Awards.

   In the spring of 2013 von Roenn was named the Director of the Master Craftsman Studio and also the Associate Director of the new Public Art and Architectural Art Program at Florida State University. As an instructor von Roenn teaches courses in Public and Architectural Art as well as Sculpture and Art and Entrepreneurship. In his courses, he focuses on process emphasizing methodologies of design and execution.

K/vR studio website: http://www.kvrstudio.com/