The Ceative Talent Behind the Hands of Caring Mural

Spotlight on Artist Sarah Hall

Canadian born Sarah Hall is the artist who created Queensway's Hands of Caring mural. Sarah is internationally recognized for her work in the medium of stained glass, specializing in environmental and architectural installations.

A lifelong interest in light, colour and pattern led Sarah to register for Canada's first stained glass course at Sheridan College. This course, how- ever, was just the beginning of her professional artistic development. Her next stop was the Swansea College of Art in Wales. There she became a student in the Architectural Stained Glass Program, considered one of the finest, most comprehensive courses available worldwide.

Upon completing this program, Sarah continued to study in Europe, gaining a diploma in Architectural Glass from the City & Guilds of London Institute in 1977, followed by a yearlong apprenticeship with Lawrence Lee, ARCA, the U.K.'s Glass Master at the Royal College of Art and designer of windows at Coventry Cathedral. Following her work with Lawrence Lee, a strong interest in ancient Islamic glass and Middle Eastern techniques took Sarah to Jerusalem for eight months.

Sarah returned to Canada in 1980, establishing a studio in a large ware- house space on Dupont Street in west end Toronto. Since then, as a result of her growing reputation, her work has been exhibited in prestigious galleries in Canada and abroad and has appeared in books and periodicals.

The technique Sarah employs is reverse painted glass, sometimes referred to as back-painted glass. She uses oils and acrylics on glass, adding additional distinctive layers of silver, copper and gold leafing.

Some of Sarah's recent accomplishments include: receiving the Bene Award - first prize in an international juried competition for Liturgical Art; being chosen one of five artists to represent Canada at the second annual Salon International du Vitrail in Chartres, France; being commissioned by writer and social activist June Callwood to create an optical glass wall for Jessie's Centre; completing the world's largest reverse painted gold leaf glass mural at the Scotia Plaza, Toronto.

Queensway General Hospital is proud to have acquired such a fine work of art, created by this talented Toronto artist.