Flora Mangana-Trudeau is a San Francisco-based artist who, fueled by her interest in decorative arts, began to explore glass as an expressive medium in 1998.

Influenced by turn-of-the-century masters and guided by the theory “beauty will save the world,” Flora singularly began to produce a broad range of stained glass windows. Executed in the Arts & Crafts manner with an uncompromising standard of quality, using only original designs and handmade glass—the only glass capable of revealing a full range of color and atmosphere, changing with the sun and the seasons—Flora’s glass works continue the tradition of artistic beautification of the home.

Finding inspiration in poetry, art and nature, Flora approaches each of her glass creations as an opportunity to explore herself. The processes necessary for the many stages of creating a window—from conception, to design, to choice of glass, to final execution—afford both the time as well as an environment to allow one’s mind a departure from the tangles of daily worries.

   “Often it takes a considerable time, even weeks or months,
    to see the full character of the glass. These moments are, for me,
    epiphanies, when I catch in an instant all of the inspiration that
    I poured into the glass. My hopes return to me refreshed, and
    I realize that my patience has paid off.”

Flora has operated her single-person studio (I prefer to struggle with it alone) since 2000 with commissions for residences in San Francisco, New York, London and Greece. In the fall of 2002 Flora exhibited her stained glass for the first time, participating in a two person show at 111 Minna Gallery in San Francisco. During the Spring of 2004, in conjunction with the Legion of Honor’s Art Deco exhibition, Flora conducted a series of artist demonstrations at the Legion of Honor, showcasing her work and the techniques of stained glass.

Currently Flora is producing a botanical series and finalizing the designs for another series—nine depictions of classic fairy tales, which she is looking forward to completing and exhibiting. As part of the upcoming exhibition International Arts & Craft: William Morris to Frank Lloyd Wright at the de Young Museum in San Francisco, Flora will also be demonstrating techniques of stained glass on the following friday evenings during Spring 2006:

Opening Preview March 17, April 7, April 14 and June 2

If you would like to make any inquiries regarding this artwork, or if you would like information about commissioning a work, please contact Flora via email: flora@dionysiaglass.com

©2006