Project Year: 2023
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Project Type: New Stained Glass Commission
In 2023, Baltic Art Studio completed three new stained glass windows for St. John Cantius Church in Chicago. The commission depicts the Archangels St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael.
The windows were designed and executed by renowned stained glass artist Mindaugas Vitkauskas, a longtime independent collaborator of Baltic Art Studio. Our teams have worked together on numerous ecclesiastical and restoration projects over the years.
The commission was developed in close collaboration with Baltic Art Studio, the parish community, and clergy of St. John Cantius Church. Every stage, from early concepts through installation, was guided by sacred tradition, iconography, and the spiritual character of the church.
The project began with discussions between the artist, Baltic Art Studio, clergy, and parish members. These conversations focused on the iconography, symbolism, composition, and artistic details of the three Archangels.
The goal was to create windows that would fit naturally within the church interior while giving each Archangel a distinct presence and spiritual meaning.
St. Michael is traditionally shown as a protector and defender against evil. St. Gabriel is associated with divine messages and the Annunciation. St. Raphael is known as a guide, healer, and companion on journeys.
Once the designs were approved, the full-scale cartoons guided the fabrication of each window. Glass was selected for color, texture, transparency, and its ability to create depth when illuminated by natural light.
The project used carefully chosen stained glass pieces to build the figures, garments, architectural elements, halos, and decorative backgrounds of the windows.
The three Archangel windows were carefully built in the studio from the full-scale designs. Each piece of glass was cut, painted where needed, fired, and assembled with lead cames.
The fabrication process required close attention to proportion, line work, facial expressions, and symbolic details. Every section was created to support the larger composition and maintain a strong visual presence within the church.
After fabrication, the finished windows were installed at St. John Cantius Church. The three windows now enrich the church interior with color, light, and sacred imagery.
The Archangel commission continues the long tradition of stained glass as an important part of church architecture, devotion, and visual storytelling.
The Three Archangels windows bring new sacred art to St. John Cantius Church while respecting its architectural and spiritual traditions.
Through the collaboration of Mindaugas Vitkauskas, Baltic Art Studio, clergy, and parish members, the project created three lasting stained glass windows dedicated to St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael.
