End of an Era

XX Mon. YYYY

Today, 29th June 2011 marks the sad demise of both Finn's Art Glass and The Glass Connection, two of Sydney's major players in the stained glass industry. Long time competitors, the two firms joined in partnership only a few years ago in an effort to rationalise overheads and boost profits. Together they relocated to Milperra, moving into the factory once occupied by Richardson's Glass on Milperra Road.

Prior to that Finn's were located in Boundary Rd, Peakhurst for many years, their previous factory in Penshurst St having been destroyed by fire. Finn's was a leading force in the retail sector and a major educator. All fields of the glass crafts were addressed with the exception of hot glass as they did not have a furnace. But many experts, both local and international, ran workshops in beadmaking, fusing and kiln forming, glass painting, powder and frit work, leadlight and copper foil and also mosaic.

The Stained Glass Shoppe was established in 1962 by Neil Finn who at one stage had been apprenticed to Bolton Glass, the leadlighting firm who fabricated all of Stephen Moor's work. Finn's Stained Glass remained a family company for many years, with his three daughters and both sons working in the company at various times. Paddy Robinson (who had also worked for Moor for several years) had a long association with Finn's Glass as their chief designer for stained glass commissions. Neil and Paddy formed Finglinna Studios together in 1989.

In 1985 Neil also established Bent Glass Products as a separate company in Boundary Road. Neil was always experimenting and developing techniques and aquired considerable skill in the area of bending and forming glass . He was in fact the 'official' restorer for Tiffany bent panel lampshades. The business grew at a surprising rate, eventually changing its name to Bent and Curved Glass and moving to new premises in Milperra Rd, Revesby.

The Glass Connection was established in the 1980s as a strictly wholesale glass merchant to the stained glass industry and had several moves before settling in at Peakhurst not far from Finns Glass. Origianlly a partnership, Ray Grigg became sole owner and was a tireless voice within the larger glass and glazing industry for a fair go for stained glass practitioners.

It was The Glass Connection's 'go-to' girl Renee Pimental who after a period of parenting re-entered the industry and, together with Ray, purchased Finns Art Glass, injecting a new energy into the company. Renee expanded on Finn's role as an educator, bringing into Australia many artists prominent in their fields and expanding the skills base of her staff. At its peak Finns Art Glass was managing 200 students per week.