About Us
Avalon Stained Glass
Avalon Stained Glass is a new company built on a wealth of hands on experience and practical knowledge.
Centred in “The Ancient Isle of Avalon”, Glastonbury Somerset;
the Avalon Stained Glass team comprise of husband and wife
Rachel and Roddy Smith-Blair.
Rachel and Roddy have a unique and wide-ranging skill base with an abundance of understanding, practical capability, sensitivity, artistic integrity and expertise.
Rachel
Rachel comes from an art school background, focussing on stained glass in 1995 when she joined the world-renowned Chapel Studio in Hertfordshire; working under the tutorage of such stained glass luminary’s as Alfred Fisher MBE FMGP FRSA, Peter Archer FMGP, Paul San Casciani, and Robert, Earl of Holloway A.C.R. FMGP.
Rachel’s natural talent and aptitude for the stained glass medium led her to become head of conservation and senior member of the glass painting department.
Rachel has completed many specialist courses and won numerous awards for her conservation and glass painting talents. Rachel has mentored many young stained glass apprentices who have gone on to develop successful careers of their own.
Roddy
Roddy began his long and accomplished career in stained glass back in 1989 when he began an artisan’s apprenticeship, also at Chapel Studios, being promoted to foreman within 4 years.
During Roddy’s tenure at Chapel Studios he undertook, and excelled at, all aspects of the stained glass trade, including estimating, assessing and overseeing many large and high-profile projects.
Roddy relocated to Wells, Somerset in the late 90’s where he set up Holy Well Glass, with Martin Jones and Steve Clare.