This Family Has Made Stained Glass for Churches for 70 Years

A third-generation family has handcrafted stained glass windows for thousands of churches, basilicas, and sacred spaces across America — for over 70 years. Adrian Jay, owner of Cavallini Art Glass, opens the doors to his studio where every piece of stained glass art is still made entirely by hand, the same way his family has done it since the 1950s.

Cavallini Art Glass began as a mosaic studio before transitioning to stained glass making in the late 1960s. Today, the company is one of the few remaining studios where traditional craftsmanship drives every project — from initial design sketches to the final installation inside a church or cathedral. Adrian walks us through the full stained glass process, explaining why this is an "architectural art" that must work with the light, the space, and the community it serves.

Adrian also shares the story behind restoring a mosaic at Basilica San Juan after a devastating fire — and the emotional personal plea from the pastor that brought him to the project. We explore a massive 55,000 square foot mosaic project in Dallas that most people have never seen, and discuss why passing these glass art skills to the next generation matters more than ever for sacred art preservation.

This is Episode 1 of a 5-part docuseries from The Building Texas Show exploring the history, craftsmanship, and people of Cavallini Art Glass — one of the most storied stained glass studios in Texas.

A third-generation family has handcrafted stained glass for thousands of churches across America — for over 70 years. Adrian Jay, owner of Cavallini Art Glass, takes us inside the studio where light, color, and sacred artistry come together by hand, the same way they have since the 1950s.

In this episode of The Building Texas Show's special docuseries "Visiting Texas Studio," host Justin McKenzie sits down with Adrian to explore:

🔹 How the Cavallini family transitioned from mosaics to stained glass in the late 1960s
🔹 The craftsmanship behind every window — from design to installation
🔹 Why stained glass is an "architectural art" that must work with the space it inhabits
🔹 The emotional and spiritual impact of this art in sacred spaces
🔹 Restoring a mosaic at Basilica San Juan — and the pastor's personal plea to Adrian
🔹 The 55,000 sq ft mosaic project in Dallas most people have never seen
🔹 Why passing these skills to the next generation matters more than ever

Cavallini Art Glass has served thousands of churches, basilicas, and sacred spaces across the country. Their work is designed to outlast the artisans who create it — a multi-generational investment in beauty, faith, and community.

This is Episode 1 of a 5-part series celebrating the history, craftsmanship, and people of Cavallini Art Glass.

📍 Learn more about Cavallini Art Glass: https://cavalliniglass.com/?srsltid=A...

​‪@Mr.StainedGlass‬ 
‪@AdrianCavallini‬ 
‪@CatholicTVSA‬ 

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