12/24/2025
An abundance of A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery enthusiasts were treated to a wonderful Members Opening Reception featuring “Glory in Glass- The Conrad Pickel Studio” in early December in Ft. Pierce, Florida.
Hundreds of guests got the opportunity to gain valuable insights into the work and inner workings of the stained glass exhibit that features a terrific selection of works by this famed studio. The A.E. Backus Museum description of this Exhibit: Since 1947, the Conrad Pickel Studio has contributed a dazzling fusion of old world craftsmanship and new world innovation to the resplendent and enduring traditions of stained glass. Created from the finest handblown antique glass, their leaded stained glass windows for religious, secular, and public projects throughout North America embody the art and science of light. This new exhibition of luminous studio work presents examples of process and pièces de résistance, and highlights a shining artistic treasure of the region.
A.E. Backus Museum’s Executive Director, J. Marshall Adams, did a very astute job of describing the exhibit’s inspiration before introducing Paul Pickel, President of Conrad Pickel Studio, Inc., who offered some of his company’s history, and then described various aspects of how this unique collaborative process took place with the museum.
Paul Pickel described how his father, Conrad Pickel, who had attended the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich, Germany, and then learned the art of stained glass at the esteemed Mayer Studio where he apprenticed. Conrad emigrated to the United States in 1927 and perfected his skills initially in Columbus, Ohio where he met the woman who would become his wife, and her father was also in the stained glass business. Then, Conrad worked in Pittsburgh, Boston, Los Angeles, and, they ended up in Milwaukee where he began Conrad Pickel Studio in 1947.
Conrad Pickel established a branch studio in Vero Beach in 1955. Paul Pickel moved the entire operation to Vero Beach in 1975. Paul is also a Past President of the Stained Glass Association of America.
The exhibit will continue to be presented at the A.E. Backus Museum through Sunday, January 4th, 2026. Check out the hours of operation at www.BackusMuseum.org and be sure to visit “Glory in Glass- The Conrad Pickel Studio” while you have this opportunity. The address of the museum is 500 North Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida 34950.