Draft:Scott Parsons
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| Submission declined on 23 August 2025 by MediaKyle (talk). This submission does not appear to be written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. Entries should be written from a neutral point of view, and should refer to a range of independent, reliable, published sources. Please rewrite your submission in a more encyclopedic format. Please make sure to avoid peacock terms that promote the subject.
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Comment: This comes across as quite promotional. Please remove all external links from the body, and rewrite in a more encyclopedic format. MediaKyle (talk) 12:48, 23 August 2025 (UTC)
- Comment: In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest policy, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. GuerroArtist (talk) 01:28, 29 July 2025 (UTC)
This article is about the American glass and architectural artist.
Scott Parsons is an American artist recognized for large-scale public art installations in stained glass, mosaic, and terrazzo.[1] Based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, he has completed public art commissions across the United States and Canada, including projects at airports,[2] universities,[3] and churches.[4] His work has been discussed in publications including Public Art Review,[5] Art in America Annual,[6] Architectural Record,[7] and Stained Glass Quarterly.[8] He is a professor of art at Augustana University.[9]
Early life and education
[edit]Parsons earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Augustana University in South Dakota and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Colorado Boulder.[9] He has collaborated with German studios including Derix Glasstudios, Glashütte Lamberts, and Franz Mayer of Munich, which list him among artists who have worked with their workshops.[10][11][12]
Career
[edit]Early work
[edit]Parsons received his first major commission in 1992 for the Nobel Peace Prize Forum at Augustana University.[13] His work emphasizes site-specific, contextual design.[14] Writing in Art Papers, Joe Miller described his early work as "rare in postmodernism: a multicultural allegory that's compelling, authentic and sincere."[15]
Selected works
[edit]Examples of Parsons’ public art include:
- Franciscan Renewal Center, Paradise Valley, Arizona – nine stained glass windows inspired by Franciscan theology.[16]
- Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, Minnesota – Starwheel, a terrazzo floor referencing regional history and navigation.[17]
- Saint Michael’s Parish, Sioux Falls, South Dakota – Stations of the Cross mosaics, recognized with a national award from Faith & Form.[18]
- Orlando International Airport, Florida – Welcome Gardens, four terrazzo floors in 68 colors reflecting Central Florida’s landscapes and culture.[19]
- Our Lady of Loreto Parish, Foxfield, Colorado – 24 stained-glass windows depicting the nine choirs of angels, which received a national religious art award and were featured in the documentary Angels Alleluia.[20]
Academic work
[edit]Parsons is a professor of art at Augustana University, where he teaches and supervises studio practice.[9]
Artistic style and themes
[edit]According to Faith & Form, Parsons combines digital processes with traditional glass-painting.[21] Denver Catholic described his windows as “abstract” and noted their use of layered symbolism.[22] His work often explores themes of memory, community, and belonging.[23]
Recognition
[edit]Parsons has received multiple Faith & Form Awards for religious art and architecture, including projects at Gloria Dei (2014), Our Lady of Loreto – Angels (2014), Saint Michael’s mosaics (2015), Our Lady of Loreto – Rosary (2016), Our Lady of the Angels (2018), and Saint Michael’s (2022).[24][25][26][27][28] According to press releases, these awards were presented by Faith & Form in partnership with the American Institute of Architects.
Professional service
[edit]Parsons serves on the board of the Association of Consultants for Liturgical Space[29] and on the Visual Arts Committee for the City of Sioux Falls.[30] In 2025, he was a featured speaker at the American Glass Guild conference in Mesa, Arizona.[31]
External links
[edit]- ^ Olson, Virginia (November 29, 2014). "Scott Parsons on a mission for public art". Argus Leader. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
- ^ "Twin Cities airport's Humphrey expansion sets stage for growth". Twin Cities. 2012-10-09. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
- ^ "CCIS Floor & Points of Interest | Faculty of Science". www.ualberta.ca. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
- ^ Lambert, Aaron (2016-06-07). "Rosary mysteries stun in abstract windows". Denver Catholic. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
- ^ Karasov, Deborah (1997). "American Grounding: Comments on the Art of Elegy". Public Art Review. 9 (1): 21. Retrieved 2025-09-01 – via Issuu.
- ^ "2002 In Review: Public Art". Art in America Annual. Brant Art Publications: 57. 2003.
- ^ "NTMA: Job of the Year" (PDF). Architectural Record. 9 (4). 2003. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
- ^ von Roenn, Kenneth (Spring 2017). "The Work of Scott Parsons at Our Lady of Loreto Church". Stained Glass Quarterly. 112 (1): 34–41.
- ^ a b c "Scott Parsons – Faculty Profile". Augustana University. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
- ^ "Aspire: Public Art Installation". Derix Glasstudios. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
- ^ "Artist Opinions: Scott Parsons". Glashütte Lamberts. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
- ^ "References". Mayer'sche Hofkunstanstalt. Retrieved 2025-09-29.
- ^ Lippard, Lucy (1997). Lure of the Local: Senses of Place in a Multicentered Society. New Press. pp. 111–112. ISBN 9781565842472. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
- ^ Olson, Virginia (November 29, 2014). "Scott Parsons on a mission for public art". Argus Leader.
- ^ Miller, Joe (Nov–Dec 1998). "Concrete Amnesia: Joe Miller Tracks Scott Parsons' Star Calendar". Art Papers. 22 (6): 25.
- ^ Schwab, Joe (2017). "Windows of Inspiration: Conventual Church of Our Lady of the Angels, Scottsdale, Arizona" (PDF). The Way of St. Francis. 22 (3). Franciscan Friars of California: 18–20. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
- ^ Welbes, John (October 9, 2012). "Twin Cities airport's Humphrey expansion sets stage for growth". Twin Cities Pioneer Press. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
- ^ "Winners of the 2022 Faith and Form International Awards for Religious Architecture and Art Announced". PR Newswire (Press release). Retrieved 2025-09-01.
- ^ "New welcome mats are latest addition to Orlando International Airport's art". Orlando Sentinel. September 5, 2018. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
- ^ O’Connor, Colleen (December 20, 2014). "New stained-glass windows in Denver area evoke presence of angels". The Denver Post. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
- ^ von Roenn, Kenneth (Spring 2017). "Back to a Stained-Glass Future: The Work of Scott Parsons at our Lady of Loreto Church and Gothic Stained Glass" (PDF). Faith & Form: The Interfaith Journal on Religion, Art and Architecture. 50 (2): 25–31 – via US Modernist.
- ^ Lambert, Aaron (June 7, 2016). "Rosary mysteries stun in abstract windows". Denver Catholic. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
- ^ Olson, Virginia (November 29, 2014). "Scott Parsons on a mission for public art". Argus Leader.
- ^ "Faith & Form/IFRAA Religious Art and Architecture Design Awards 2014" (PDF). Faith & Form. 47 (4). 2014.
- ^ "Faith & Form/IFRAA Religious Art and Architecture Design Awards 2015" (PDF). Faith & Form. 48 (4). 2015.
- ^ "28 Sacred Spaces That Capture the Stunning Beauty of Religious Architecture". HuffPost. December 13, 2016.
- ^ "Faith & Form's 2018 program recognizes the best in religious architecture and art". ArchDaily. January 6, 2019.
- ^ "Winners of the 2022 Faith & Form International Awards". PR Newswire (Press release). April 12, 2023.
- ^ "Board of Directors". Association of Consultants for Liturgical Space. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
- ^ "Visual Arts Commission". City of Sioux Falls. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
- ^ "AGG Mesa 2025 Conference". American Glass Guild. Retrieved 2025-09-01.