Over the years, Laura Goff has produced thousands of stained glass projects for private residences and businesses throughout the Southeast.
After graduating from UT, she set off for a six-month backpacking trip across Europe.
“I was an art history major and English minor. I had no plan,” she laughs. “I always wanted to be an artist, but my parents always said you need a real degree.”
As she made her way across Europe, she found inspiration in Marc Chagall’s stained glass church windows in Nice, France.
“I had gone out to explore the world and I fell in love with stained glass. I was amazed at what they did over there. It was so different from what they did here.”
Back in Knoxville, she had another realization. She knew she wanted to become a stained-glass artist.
Goff is attentive to detail and makes sure that each window is made precisely. She notes that her windows are designed to last a hundred years.
“As I look at the radiant beams of colored light,” she says, “I’m reminded of the power of the Holy Spirit. Like the light streaming through the windows, faith is intangible, yet utterly transformative. I try to express my faith in this same way — not with language, but through my life and art.”.
Laura Goff received a distinguished service award from the Stained Glass Association of America and recently had a four-page feature in “The Stained Glass Quarterly.” Her gallery is located at 519 Lovell Road, Suite 306.