Redeveloping our Kitchens, Buttery and related spaces gave us our first introduction to "Public Art". We had to find an expert in architectural glass to transform ten huge picture windows along the Sidgwick Avenue frontage into works of art. The windows face north - they need to let in as much light as possible and to provide some degree of privacy for people using the Buttery while at the same time packing a real visual punch both for passers-by on the street and for those within the College.

We found our expert! Beverly's Public Art work for Tower Hamlets first drew out attention, and she was the artist we chose after a rigorous selection process. She absorbed the history and atmosphere of the College and translated our aspirations into a vibrant reality, giving dramatic impact both inside and out. It was a great pleasure working with Beverly - her combination of professionalism and fun was truly a delight!

Frances Hazlehurst
Newnham College Cambridge

 

Beverly was initially selected from a Crafts Council list as a suitable candidate to enter a limited competition for the design of the new Student Buttery windows at Newnham College Cambridge. Beverly went on to win the competition and worked with the College over a six-month period to hone her designs for the art glass windows which have now been installed at the College.

The windows form a public art contribution for the project. They face Sidgwick Avenue, the main approach road to the College and are highly visible to both the occupants and the general public. They define the interior space, providing drama at night when seen from outside, as well as privacy for the occupants of the dining room.

The College selected Beverly as she understood their aspirations for the glass design and she showed the selection panel how their aspiration might be converted into a piece of art. Her enthusiasm for her work is infectious. Beverly produced full size drawings of the large windows and samples of the glass cutting and etching techniques to communicate the design ideas. She was flexible in her approach and was willing to discuss variations to her initial concepts which were developed into the final piece.

It was a great pleasure working with Beverly on this project.

David Emond
R H Partnership Architects
94 Chesterton Road
Cambridge CB4 1ER

www.rhpartnership.co.uk


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Hackney Free and Parochial Church of England School has created a faith space within the school – to be known as the Jerusalem Space – for use by students, staff, parents and the local church. The project brings together work by four artists, successfully creating a space that is both harmonious and inspiring.

For the art work to be shown to its full potential, the lighting of the space was given a great deal of thought and planning. Beverly Bryon of Prisms Glass, located in the north west London artists' studio community, Kingsgate Workshops, was commissioned to design three square windows for the space.

Beverly visited the school on a number of occasions and was in regular contact to share ideas, and to ensure that her design work was in keeping with the spirit of the space. In this she was successful. She was careful to consider all the factors affecting the space and produced a design that is both consistent and echoes themes already present in the space.

She has created windows with a ‘light touch’ in the sense that they lead the worshipper, or any individual enjoying a moment of free time, to remain focused on the objects within the room rather than upon the windows. The windows, while simply beautiful in themselves, are not viewed as separate entities but rather as a single, harmonious, triptych of light. Through her adroit design the windows are transformed into a trinity of luminescence, inter-linked by a flowing milky ribbon of light to lend a wonderful dynamic of movement.

The windows draw one's eye into the room, allowing the beauty of natural light to play on the panes and thence upon the forms within the space to add still further to the grace of the room. The windows complete the space and contribute significantly to sustaining the aura of peace and stillness which has been created here.

Mark Brokenshire
Head of Religious Studies
Hackney Free and Parochial Church of England School, London


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Hi Beverly Thank you so much for the brilliant work you did designing and making the windows in my front door. The whole thing was a thoroughly enjoyable experience.  

You took the time to understand what I wanted and made me feel really involved. I think the final result is fantastic and it brightens my day every time I see it.

Good luck and best wishes

Mel Cash - London


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We wanted to make our front door more welcoming and personal.   We had seen Beverly's stained glass designs at an 'Open Studios' event and approached her for ideas. Beverly took the time to come up with a great brief for us. She was both inspiring and professional and her work is a great addition to our house. Visitors often comment on it and children enjoy seeking out the hidden sandblasted animal shapes. It looks so different throughout the day, but I enjoy it most in the morning when I am greeted by the wonderful colours reflected into the hall.

Caroline Sharp - West Hampstead, London


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I wanted a mirror for my front room, but also wanted and needed something to be a focal point. Prisms Glass Design took time to discuss design and colours, and correctly identified that I would like something different, and even funky.

Beverly Bryon came up with a mirror that fits in with my room and my taste. The design and the colours pull the room together, and is a real focal point. The mirror has become the most important part of my living space.

Kim Lipman - Brighton


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Prisms Glass made me a stained glass window that I enjoy every day. I had started out with some idea of what I wanted and after talking to Beverly Bryon I was soon presented with three distinctive design drawings from which to choose. One in particular I liked straight off and was then able to select glass colours in Prisms array of samples and stock.

My finished window has carefully matched hand-blown glass pieces, with sandblasted and applied glass details. Beverly's workmanship is first class. What I liked about Prisms was that I was able to be involved at every stage of the commission and I ended up with a piece of art, not just a coloured glass window.

Russell Looker - Hertfordshire


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Prisms Glass are really creative - and relevant. Beverly Bryon's ability to surprise by translating a medley of ideas into a delightful reality, is simply knockout! Grasping the fundamentals of a brief, no matter how simple or complex, especially when clients may not be crystal-clear themselves, seems to stimulate her creativity rather than inhibiting.

Our latest challenge asked for just two small panels to lift a narrow entrance. Beverly's solution transformed the area.

Adrian Sims - London/Sierra Leone


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EDWARDIAN ELEGANCE

Dear Beverly, We are delighted with the stained glass panels you designed and made for our front door. A lot of the original Edwardian glass was cracked - and a large central panel had been replaced with plain glass. We originally approached you with the idea of patching and repairing. But on your advice we eventually decided to replace the lot. We are very glad we did.

You came up with a design that picked up many elements of the original, but introduced some new, more interesting colours and patterns. It's completely in keeping with the house and those of our neighbours. Everyone now assumes it is the original glass and it is much admired.

We very much enjoyed working with you - you made the whole process very simple and straightforward and kept us involved throughout.

We would gladly recommend you to any other potential customers.

Best wishes,

Judy Lee and John Morrison - London, NW6


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We approached Prisms to design a panel for the door to our client's vivid yellow and pink kitchen. Beverly Bryon submitted a sophisticated, abstract design to be produced in stained glass - they called it: "Tutti Frutti"! We loved the fact that it perfectly complemented the interior. It was easy to obtain our client's approval of both the design and the price. The panel was made and ready for installation on schedule.

Result: The client simply loves the panel - and has now installed special exterior lighting so that the art work can also be enjoyed at night. It's an outstanding piece that we're proud to include in our own portfolio.

Marilyn Resnick

David Resnick Associates - Interior Designers - London


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