The story of Atelier Mestdagh is also the story of the family behind the studio. From Albert Mestdagh, who founded the studio in 1947, and his wife Yvonne, about their son Luc and his wife Ingrid, to their oldest daughter Katrien Mestdagh, who joined in 2004. The family (and their group of loyal and experienced employees) loves stained glass art and does everything it can to keep alive the traditional techniques of pater familias Albert.
In 2015, Katrien was awarded the ‘Master in Stained Glass Conservation and Heritage Management’ at the University of York. She is also in contact with numerous international glass specialists, so that the old artisan knowledge is strengthened and supported today by scientific research. Thanks to that know-how and the passionate team, the studio makes and restores stained glass windows just as they did in the past, but with an eye to the future. Atelier Mestdagh wants to inspire as well as bring new artworks into the world.
‘Colour your interior! We are ready for a (stained) glass revival!’
A proud family firm for over 70 years.
2019
2019
2019
The Flemish Government launches the apprenticeship scheme! Knowledge transfer about stained glass art is assured.
2018
2018
2018
Luc officially retires in April but continues to support the studio. Yvonne Matthijs dies in November.
2017
2017
2017
The studio celebrates its 70th birthday and leaves the centre of Ghent after the same number of years. It moves to Merelbeke.
2012
2012-2015
2012-2015
Katrien Mestdagh obtains her Master in Stained Glass Conservation and Heritage Management (University of York).
2011
2011
2011
Atelier Mestdagh is awarded the public prize for ‘Craftsmanship in the spotlight’ and can be seen in the Canvas series ‘The Three Generations’.
2006
2006
2006
Ingrid’s oeuvre sparkles during an exhibition in the St. Nicholas church. Here she designs her masterly Way of the Cross.
2004
2004
2004
Katrien starts work in the studio. Luc and Ingrid restore the stained glass windows from the Church of St. Catharine in Bethlehem (Palestine).
1998
1998
1998
Atelier Mestdagh celebrates its 50th birthday in style.
1995
1995
1995
Yvonne Matthijs retires and entrusts the studio to Luc & Ingrid
1988
1988
1988
Ingrid’s career as designer takes flight.
1978
1978
1978
Luc marries Ingrid Meyvaert, who is studying visual arts at Sint-Lucas. The birth of a unique combination.
1973
1973
1973
Luc Mestdagh officially joins his mother in the studio.
1972
1972
1972
After the death of Albert Mestdagh, his wife Yvonne Matthijs continues the work.
1947
1947
1947
Albert Mestdagh establishes the Mestdagh studio.
An award by Flanders Heritage Agency for years of high-quality work in the heritage sector.
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