The Monarch Crew

The Team

Owner and Lead in all departments: 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.

Special Projects and Administration: Alison Siegel
Having moved to Kansas City from way of Brooklyn, New York, Siegel has worked with hot glass for over 20 years and brings great technical knowledge as well as limitless creativity to Monarch Glass Studio. Her work is collected in museums internationally and is acclaimed for its strange and unique look.

Stained Glass Studio Manager and Lead 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 and grandfather of two!

Glassblowing gaffer: 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 to transform color and light through his sculptures. When not in a glassblowing studio, Keegan loves spending time outdoors in national parks, smoking meats, or just spending time with his wife and dog at home.

Glassblowing gaffer and shipping manager: Lauryl Sidwell
A Kansas City native, lauryl has a fascination with all things glass. Beginning her journey through stained glass creations, she has been taking lengths to explore many different techniques in glass making. She has taken classes at Penland School of Craft and Belger Arts, and has participated in multiple art shows in the Kansas City area. She also enjoys good live music and a good meal at a nice restaurant.

Glassblower and fabricator: Justin Jenicke
A lamp-worker turned glassblower, Justin embraces glass and learning as many new things as possible about the material. He spends his summers at Pilchuck Glass School as a coordinator and collaborates with others whenever possible. Justin cares for his family and travels to see out of town members as much as time permits.

Studio Assistant: Madison Jones
Coming from a background in kiln-formed glass, Madison has dabbled in a little bit of everything in most every material. Metal-working, ceramics, glasswork, you name it. If it is making something with her hands she is in. Her primary focus at Monarch Glass Studio is assisting in the hotshop. When not making work, Madison enjoys fine foods prepared well or organizing a party for friends.

Studio Assistant: Tyler Suter
Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Tyler gained a BA from Bowling Green University in Ohio. He moved to Kansas City, Missouri when awarded a year-long residency at Belger Arts at the Glass Annex. He works in the cold-shop and hotshop at Monarch Glass Studio as well as maintaining the glass level of the furnace. In his own work, he turns to patterns in sound vibrations and other unseen formats as inspiration in his glass work.

Stained Glass Assistant: Mallory Bartels
Mallory received her BFA from the University of Missouri with a focus on fibers and sculpture. Growing up in the Ozarks, Mallory has a love for the water… which translates into a curiosity towards glass and its nature of transparency. In her work she focuses on youth and development. When not working, she loves spending time with her family and two cats.