Stained Glass Offers 160 Year Look at Commitment, Generosity

St. Vincent & Sarah Fisher Center art exhibit in Canton celebrates glass month, Michigan artists

DETROIT and CANTON, Mich., March 5, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Exquisitely restored stained glass windows, on display at The Village Theater at Cherry Hill in April, provides a window through time at life at the St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher Home in 1929.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110404/MM76846LOGO)

The windows, commissioned by Sarah Fisher and built by Detroit Stained Glass, are interpretations of Mother Goose nursery rhymes, and serve as a perfect backdrop to celebrate Glass Month, marked each April by the art community.

"The windows have seen a lot of change in more than 80 years," said Diane Renaud, Executive Director/CEO, The Education Experience at St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center. "They are a witness to the changing needs of the community, as well as our commitment to accommodate those needs."

The St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center dates back to 1844 when it opened as St. Vincent's Academy, a kindergarten for orphaned children which became a full orphanage in just a short time.  In 1928, a fire destroyed the Farmington Hills home, which was quickly replaced by a new structure thanks to the generosity of Charles T. Fisher Sr. of Fisher Body and his wife Sarah Fisher. It was in this new facility – the Sarah Fisher Home  – where the 40 stained glass windows were originally installed.  Dozens of windows depicting nursery rhyme characters were used in the kindergarten classroom. Photos from the time show children busy in the classroom, with the stained glass Mother Goose characters looking over their shoulders.

Restoring the windows first stared in 1986. Damage to the stained glass resulted from their being moved to a school gymnasium. Compounding this restoration was the glass itself, comprised of a different lead than is used today. Original artists used the Tiffany method that requires individual pieces of glass, each of a different color, be placed into a design one piece at a time. It has taken years for experienced local artists to restore the stained glass, so it now can be displayed for all to enjoy. 

The windows are on display at The Village Theater at Cherry Hill through April 1 – 29. The exhibit is free and open to the public (except major holidays), Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. through 2 p.m., during any public performance and by appointment.

The Village Theater at Cherry Hill
The Village Theater at Cherry Hill (owned and operated by Canton Township) is a 400-seat, premiere performing/visual arts and education center offering opportunities for all ages to experience the arts and culture as both participants and patrons.  It is located at 50400 Cherry Hill Rd. in Canton.  Phone numbers: 734/394-5300 or 734/394-5460. Website: http://www.canton-mi.org/villagetheater/

St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center
Founded in 1844, the St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center most recently served Southeastern Michigan as a residential/foster care agency for children. However, in 2006, the Center closed its residential campus and returned to its roots – providing assistance to the residents of the community through educational programs.  Now in Detroit, the St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center continues nearly 170 years of service to the community through basic skill-building and academic enhancement for at-risk children and adults. These programs are designed to help build self-sufficiency skills for academic and employment success, personal achievement and dignity.  In March 2011, The Education Experience was launched, with expanded hours, services and locations, to better serve the community.  For more information, visit http://www.svsfcenter.org/

Contact:   Sue Voyles, 734-667-2005 / [email protected]
Diane Renaud, 313-535-9200 / [email protected]

SOURCE The Education Experience at St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center