The Studio: Established in 2015, Monarch Glass Studio was formed by Tyler Kimball in the historic 18th and Vine district of Kansas City, Missouri. The studio is multi-faceted and operates off of the regions most abundant glassblowing studio, with four work stations and a furnace that holds 300 pounds of glass and creates thousands of pounds of work each month. The glassblowing sector lends itself to creating architectural glass for stained glass studios, components for installations and lighting, as well as awards and corporate gift glass. The stained glass area often utilizes the glass made in the hot glass studio, to create unique and standout contemporary stained glass, ranging from residential windows, commercial storefronts, and architectural installations for public spaces. The coldshop and cold-assembly studio often finishes the hot glass work before sending off via the post or freight, or getting installed into its environment. Monarch Glass Studio caters to a wide range of clients. From creating finished installations for architects and build teams to working with artists in fabrication of components or moving from design to installation as a whole, Monarch Glass Studio is a design team's dream come true in whatever the needs might be. The fully insured and coded studio is a professional member of the Stained Glass Association of America and member of the Glass Arts Society. Monarch Glass Studio continues to develop and evolve as the years pass, but a constant of excellence is always its focus. The professional team behind the studio goes to all lengths to assure only the best glass is created at Monarch Glass Studio.
The Team:
The Gaffer: Tyler Kimball Born and raised in Kansas City, Tyler Kimball has gone to all lengths to bring great glass art to the Kansas City area as well as creating installation art and gift glass alike for places and people around the globe . He had worked in over 60 different studios through residencies, visiting artist stints, and contracted hire before building up Monarch Glass Studio. He has shown work in galleries and museums internationally and has public art installed around the country. His passion for working in glass has led him down many different avenues over the years and his favorite work is always just around the next turn. Check out great process videos and much more on Instagram @crown_glass_pains
Glassblower/Coldworking/Shipping Manager: Alison Siegel Having moved to Kansas City from way of Brooklyn, New York, Siegel has worked with hot glass for over 18 years and brings great technical knowledge as well as limitless creativity to Monarch Glass Studio. Her work has shown around the globe and is currently represented by Heller Gallery in Chelsea, New York.
Glassblower: Keegan O'Brien A graduate from Bowling Green's glass art program in Ohio. Keegan has worked for many artists and studios across the nation. His work is sculptural in nature. He focuses on glass and its ability transform color and light through his sculptures. When not in a glassblowing studio, Keegan loves spending time outdoors in national parks.
Glassblower: Lauryl Sidwell A Kansas City native, lauryl has a fascination with all things glass. Beginning her journey through stained glass creations, she hopes to learn all facets of glass-making. She has taken classes at Penland School of Craft and Belger Arts and always has her eyes open for the next class to learn new techniques. She also enjoys cooking and enjoying the sports teams of the area.
Studio Assistant: Audrey Puckett Finding her way to Monarch through the creation of stained glass and her interest in the way that light interacts with glass, Puckett has opened her senses to many new avenues for glass while working at Monarch Glass Studio. She is also a lover of creating baked goods.
Stained Glass Fabricator: Adam Gard Adam brings 25 years of stained glass fabrication to the team. He is well versed in a wide array of techniques, including copper foil, lead, paint, CAD cartoon work, and glazing. He has worked at many different studios over the years as well as running his own. He is pleased to be part of the glass community at Monarch Glass Studio. He is also a proud parent of five!
The Intern: Rotating A program at Monarch Glass studio offered to those with some experience in glassblowing and wanting to attain more knowledge of a running studio. The program runs for seven weeks in the Fall and Spring. The intern commits to one day per week to the studio and receives a free day with assistance on the last day of the program to use the new skills they learned in crating their own work. Email [email protected] if you'd like to be considered for the next intern rotation. Previous Interns: Spring 2016- LeRoy Grubbs, Fall 2016- Josh Fredock Spring 2017- Justin George, Fall 2017- Katie Hogan Spring 2018- Ryan Thomas, Fall 2018- Jason Bell Spring 2019- Will Weirick Spring 2020- Hannah Fine, Fall 2020 - Devin Taylor Spring 2021- Kailyn Alani, Fall 2021 - Maggie Curran Spring 2023 - Ivan Noble Spring 2024 - Taylor Baker
The Monarch Crew Club: 2015: Tyler Kimball, Kevin Platt, Katie Hogan, Katie Hubbs 2016: Tyler Kimball, Katie Hubbs, Willie Haynes, Max Grossman 2017: Tyler Kimball, Katie Hubbs, Alison Siegel, Jason Bauer, Romina Gonzalez, DJ Benyosef, Jonathan Bolivar, Amanda Patenaude, Katie Hogan 2018: Tyler Kimball, Jonathan Bolivar, Katie Hogan, Amanda Patenaude, Madeline Almeida, Alison Siegel 2019: Tyler Kimball, Jonathan Bolivar, Katie Hogan, Alison Siegel, Jack Hedrick, Justin George, Christian Salazar, Ryan Thomas, Dylan Betz 2020: Tyler Kimball, Alison Siegel, Katie Hogan, Alison Siegel, Christian Salazar, Dylan Betz, Madeline Almeida, Aubrey Barnett, Jonathan Bolivar, Jarryd Pezzeli, Scott Fouche, Kevin Miller 2021: Tyler Kimball, Alison Siegel, Scott Fouche, Kevin Miller, Annie Honn, Jack Hedrick, Cole Kennedy, Kailyn Alani, Maggie Curran 2022: Tyler Kimball, Alison Siegel, Kevin Miller, Cole Kennedy, RJ Unger, Kailyn Alani, Adam Gard Jackie Polofka, Joel King, Jason Bauer, Will Weirick, Elise Gard, Steph Becker 2023: Tyler Kimball, Alison Siegel, Cole Kennedy, Adam Gard, Elise Gard, Steph Becker, Kailyn Alani, Cameron Tower, Corey Smith, Audrey Puckett, Olivia Dobkin, Lauryl Sidwell, Janine Daniels 2024: Tyler Kimball, Alison Siegel, Adam Gard, Audrey Puckett, Lauryl Sidwell, Olivia Dobkin, Keegan O'Brien, Mike Stevens
Previous Instructors at Monarch Glass Studio: Tyler Kimball, Katie Hubbs, Willie Haynes, Alison Siegel, Amanda Patenaude, Jonathan Bolivar, Danny White, Jack Hedrick, DJ Benyosef, Christian Salazar, Jeff Ballard, Joe Tsoulfas, Julia Cordi, Jon Moreno, Joseph Cavaileri, Meggy Wilm, Adam Gard