Artist Citation Award
Texas Society of Architects/American Institute of Architects
Architect: Perkins Eastman Architects PC, Chicago, IL; Carlo Salvador, AIA
Design Collaboration: C. C. Young Senior Living Community
Main Window
10.4' w. by 15.2' h.
Narrow Windows
Three at 1.2' w. by 15.2' h. each
Entry Door Windows
Two at 1.2' w. by 4.9' h. each
The stained glass in this jewel-box chapel encourages introspection and reflection as colorful views out intermingle with the sculpture garden and sky beyond.The universal and uplifting symbolism of light and enlightenment radiates from the stained glass, and resonates with the Body-Mind-Spirit theme that permeates not only the Don R. Benton Meditation Chapel, but the entire C. C. Young Senior Living campus. The stained glass is constantly changing from minute-to-minute, day-to-night and season-to-season. The rich watercolor-like gradations seen in the mouthblown German and French glasses are due to variations in the thickness within each sheet of glass. As your gaze moves upward, colors become lighter, enframing crystalline views out past sculpture to the atrium, trees and sky. Deeper, more saturated color in the lower areas provide a sense of privacy while ground the stained glass design (and us) here on Earth. Clear glass lenses add interest and sparkle with their tiny, inverted looking-glass images.
The two stained glass Entry Doors announce the Chapel, setting it apart from the classrooms, galleries, theater, restaurant, health spa and offices that comprise the rest of the Point & Pavilion here on the C. C. Young Assisted Living campus. Three Narrow Windows directly opposite of these doors colorfully greet visitors into the Chapel. Their movement in their design leads one’s gaze across to the Main Window.
Warm, saturated color in the lower part of the Main Window symbolize our Earthly reality, while cool greens and blue-greens resonate with the courtyard beyond. Circular ripples radiate outward as reminders of both spiritual guidance illuminating our darkness, and of our own reaching out to Spirit and Light. These ripples flow out across the Main Window and add to a sense of resurrection and ascension as they continue out into the three Narrow Windows (and beyond).
In upper, middle part of the Main Window’s, colorless mouthblown European glass (and even some clear window glass) enframe the view to Jim Cinquemani’s powerful Corten steel Redeemer Sculpture . A sprinkling of clear, hand-pressed, fire-polished German lenses twinkle downward as reminders of our Creator’s unexpected gifts. Because of the Chapel’s orientation, the Main Window’s upper left corner is the only part of the stained glass that ever receives direct sun. And, then, only around the time of the Summer Solstice toward the end of June. Look closely and among the plain clear lenses you’ll discover a single, lead-crystal prism that projects tiny rainbows into the chapel, but only during midsummer mornings!
OTHERS COMMENT
Thank you for the beautiful work you created and installed at The Point at CC Young. And thank you for posting the information about its creation and your background on your website. My father is moving to CC Young next month, and your artwork has provided profound comfort during this difficult transition in our lives after the loss of my mother. I wish she could have seen your creation but my sense is that she can. Your jewel box helps me feel closer to her and assured CC Young is the right place for my dad.
Family of a Resident, Dallas, TX
Jeff Smith completed stained glass windows for our award winning Center for Arts and Education at The Point on the campus of C. C. Young. Jeff encountered some challenges in that he had to coordinate his work with another artist’s completed sculpture, work closely with the general contractor and an aggressive schedule, on top of which he came in replacing another artist who was unable to work within the construction schedule. Jeff’s professionalism and personality caused the complexity of the project to be easily coordinated and executed. He adapted his talent to the work space and the time frame.
Kenneth T. Durand, President & CEO, C. C. Young, Dallas, TX
The first time my wife and I visited The Point we were struck by the beauty of the stained glass. The work is beautiful at any time, but in the afternoon when the sun shines on it, it is gorgeous. Thanks for your work. Please know it is of lasting enjoyment for all.
Paul M. Harris, Dallas, TX
Materials: German and French mouthblown glass, domestic rolled glass, German hand-pressed lenses, lead and solder.