Lancaster Stained Glass Designs

Michael J. Bovie, President and Owner of Lancaster Stained Glass Designs, has a background in fine art, graphic arts and photography. Art and architecture have always been a great fascination for Mike. Recognizing this, his parents enrolled him in a college fine arts painting course at the age of 9 to expand his artistic skills. Growing up in Illinois, surrounded by Frank Lloyd Wright's buildings continued to fuel that interest. While in the photographic industry, a short-term class at a local stained glass studio was all that it took to get him hooked. The hobby quickly turned in to a full-blown business after people saw the type of work he was producing. In 1986, Lancaster Stained Glass Designs was formed.

Mike has studied under various master art glass artists in the industry over the years. Skills acquired from those artists include etching or sandcarving, kiln fired painted and silk-screened glasswork and, most recently, fusing. As with most stained glass artists, the bulk of one's education is on the job training, trial and error, tons of reading and the personal study of historic pieces. An innate ability to do problem solving along with a heavy dose of creativity is a key to success in this industry.

Today, his studio and residence in Lancaster's Manheim Township, are home to the operation. The business is a full service studio that handles many different techniques, services and types of clientele. Virtually all processes are performed in-house.

The business is active in and recognized by many local and national organizations of which it is a member. In the building industry: the National Association of Home Builders, the Pennsylvania Builders Association and the Building Industry Association of Lancaster County. In the business community: the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Mike is also the Past President of the Lancaster Business TEAM.