Today we’d like to introduce you to David Orton. They and their team shared their story with us below:
TERHAAR’s stained glass studio was established in 1959 by architectural designer and stained glass artisan Fred Terhaar.
Fred learned his craft and love of glass while working as an apprentice on the famed glass windows of St. John’s Abbey Church in Collegeville, Minnesota, designed by Marcel Breuer.
Fred trained his sons Gary and Tom in the tradition and techniques of fine glasswork.
Today Gary and Tom continue to be recognized for their excellent reputation in offering the finest quality design and fabrication of stained-glass work. They mentor their passion for stained glass to two brothers who desire to build upon the 60-year legacy.
In 2020 David and Dean Orton acquired TERHAAR stained glass studio and shorted the name to TERHAAR Glass.
David brings innovation, design, and engineering into the TERHAAR legacy. His extensive project portfolio with major national institutions lends itself to building upon the creative solutions that TERHAAR clients love.
Dean brings extensive leadership experience in managing national arts and cultural organizations. He brings a proven track record of building and supporting creative, award-winning teams.
Gary, Tom, Dean, and David continue to embrace TERHAAR’s hand-crafted traditions while continuing to push our artistry through new and innovative technology.
The company has invested in new equipment and updates that help the current staff stay on the edge of the industry’s technology and offerings that our clients have depended upon us for.
The piece that we have had the privilege to produce new and restored have been record-breaking in the company’s history, and we continue to see a bright future in stained glass at TERHAAR.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has been a relatively smooth road. 2020 brought its challenges with COVID, but for a small business, it wasn’t that difficult to stay healthy and meet clients’ needs through online website meetings.
We have been fortunate to find a legacy that matches up with our core values and have been able to keep the company’s talent in place while raising the bar of our deliverables to our clients.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are an award-winning stained glass design studio known for new and unique, beautiful glass art pieces. We are known as one of the industry’s leading restoration glass studios and work in Commercial, Residential, and Religious Spaces.
What sets up apart is that we have been in business for over 60 years and are known for our excellence, and our talent has been passed down through the generations. We are a family-owned business that takes pride in a process for solving problems by prioritizing our client’s needs above all else.
We encourage you to look at our youtube post on our website that shows our talent. Shared links below:
https://youtu.be/gqr42spq6_Y
https://youtu.be/A4MBIUpqYoY
https://youtu.be/A4MBIUpqYoY
We feel very blessed to be able to continue the legacy of the TERHAAR talent, along with the addition of David’s background and skill, which has raised the bar for new opportunities.
David has an MFA in Design and a MA in Engineering, a rare skill set to solve with his engineering brain and create design solutions with his artist’s design talent. Since 2020, TERHAAR has accomplished projects that have been a dream in years past due to his skill and ability to bring his talent to the table.
Our clients come to him repeatedly to solve problems. He has hosted client “DESIGN THINKING” classes to help bring solutions that our clients love. Due to David’s abilities, client referrals continue to come through TERHAAR.
Which continues to build upon the 60-year legacy that we are known for.
Networking and finding a mentor can have a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
At TERHAAR, we believe in Mentoring.
We have a mentoring program that helps individuals with the interest and talent to work and advance from apprentices to Journeymen to Master Craftsmen.
This works well for us as it gives those interested a hands-on way to learn what it takes to work in the art of stained glass. Our apprentices learn and grow, and as their skills develop, they can gain advancement working with some of the best talents.
Contact Info:
- Website: terhaarglass.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terhaarglass/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestudioofstainedglass/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/terhaar-stained-glass-studio/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPHuo94pdLUksi5mm9HWXLFX4xxqTgob6
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/stainedglassdirectco/ and https://www.pinterest.com/terhaarglass/
