About

Short Bio

Dale R. Molnar, a visual artist utilizing a multiplicity of mediums, especially paint and glass. As an image marker, the work is always about light.

Statement

My work is always concerned with the qualities of light. It is not just what we see, but importantly, it’s how we see. There are harmonies and contrasts in colors and surface textures to be visually interpreted. Enjoying the process of working out the myriad interrelationships as a work develops is what puts me in the studio.
I am not driven by angst or political perspectives. My art comes from a calm place that is observational and contemplative. Exploring and reveling in the qualities of light and how we see is essential to my image making. The rendering of a subject is not as compelling to me as the essential dynamism of how color is transmutable. The same tone can be perceived differently when placed adjacent to different colors. When building an image, decisions are constantly re-evaluated since each new addition of color can subtly change previous relationships. The process is art. The resulting image is a document of both the observations and the journey.

Biography

Dale R. Molnar is a nationally recognized ecclesiastic artist. Having earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1980, Dale has followed his artistic vocation. The artist has an undergraduate degree in Religion and Philosophy as well as Fine Arts from Wilmington College in southern Ohio.
This led to the founding of South Light Studio in Marietta, GA where these interests merge with an emphasis on sacred art. A painter and self-described image-maker, he refers to the glass works as “painting with light.” The comprehensive body of art glass encompasses traditional leaded glass combined with fused and sculpted glass elements. The distinctive style has led to Ministry & Liturgy Visual Arts Awards (Stained Glass category) – Best of Show in 1995-96 and Honorable Mention in 2000. His large format banner, Lenten Journey, won a Bene Award in the Seasonal and Occasional category in 1996. He has served as president of the Atlanta Glass Art Guild and is a member of the Society of American Mosaic Artists.
Dale’s most rewarding works are permanent installations in houses of worship. These commissions allow him to work at his potential and are seen by countless people on an ongoing basis. In his approach to mosaics, the same fused and sculptural elements and attention to the quality of light are utilized to create images. Dale continues to accept commissions for murals, mosaics, and leaded glass.

Resume / CV

Dale R. Molnar
3481 Brookhill Circle, Marietta, GA 30062 * 404-784-2382
dale@southlightstudio.net

CURRICULUM VITAE
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Small business owner for 34 years
• Develop and present visionary concepts
• Collaborate with architects, builders, interior designers, clergy, administrators
• Taught kiln formed glass
• MFA in studio arts

EDUCATION:
M.F.A. Studio Arts, University of North Carolina, Greensboro, May 1980
B.A. Fine Arts/Religion & Philosophy, Wilmington College, Ohio, August 1975

ADDITIONAL EDUCATION:
Atlanta College of Art, Foundry Techniques with Scott Gilliam, 2006
Corning Museum of Art, Roman Mosaics with Venessa Williams, 1995
Penland School of Craft, Glass Blowing with Ricky Bernstein, 1992
Spruill Center for the Arts, Kiln Forming Glass with Gil Reynolds, 1990

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:
Society of American Mosaic Artists

RECENT ARTWORKS:
2006 Landscape Art, Welcoming Prayer Garden, silicon bronze sculptures set in a water/rock garden, 30’ x 15’ x 15’, Church of the Transfiguration, Marietta, GA
2009-2016 Consult/Design Liturgical Furnishings for a new sanctuary and chapel, St. John Neumann, Lilburn GA
2010 Entrance Windows, Cross of Life, stained-glass, cathedral arch 6’4” x 14’10”, Cross of Life Lutheran Church, Roswell, GA
2010 Rose Window, Most Holy Trinity, stained-glass, 12’ circle, St. John Neumann Church, Lilburn, GA
2010 Residential Murals, four children’s room panorama, paint on drywall, Orlando Hudson/T. Garrison Group, Darlington, SC
2011 Entrance Window, Welcoming Hands, stained-glass, 6’ x 2’4”, St. Luke Lutheran Church EULA, Atlanta, GA
2011 Door panels, Garden of Eden, twelve panels each at 2’4” x 1’4”, St. John Neumann Church, Lilburn, GA
2010-2012 Nave Windows, Visions of the Kingdom, eight windows each at 2’4” x 9’, St. John Neumann, Lilburn, GA
2012 Liturgical Furnishing, Chrismatory Set, blown glass, Our Lady Queen of Angels, Newport Beach, CA
2012 Chapel Window, Holy Spirit Dove, stained/fused glass center and Wincos polyester film surround, 8’ circle, St. Catherine of Sienna, Kennesaw, GA
2012 Door panels, Palm Fronds, Wincos polyester film, six panels each at 2’4” x 1’4”, St. John Neumann Church, Lilburn, GA
2012-2013 Narthex Windows, Ezekiel’s Vision, Wincos polyester film, 24 panels each 3’6” x 3’8”, Sts. Peter & Paul, Decatur, GA
2013 Sanctuary Window, Blessed Pope John Paul II, Wincos polyester film, 12’ circle, St. Catherine of Sienna, Kennesaw, GA
2013 Sanctuary Window, Blessed Mother Teresa, Wincos polyester film, 12’ circle, St. Catherine of Sienna, Kennesaw, GA
2013 Niche Transom Windows, Juan Diego, and Crown of Roses, each at 2’10” x 1’10”, St. John Neumann Church, Lilburn, GA
2013 Liturgical Furnishing, Chrismatory Set, blown glass, Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, St. Petersburg, FL
2013 Large Format Banner, Christ the King, dye sublimated on polyester cloth, 9’6’’ x 13’6”, Church of the Transfiguration, Marietta, GA
2014 Sanctuary Window inclusion, St. Catherine of Siena Portrait, stained/fused glass, 1’8” x 1’10”, St. Catherine of Siena, Kennesaw, GA
2014 Sanctuary Windows, I Am the Bread of Life, stained/fused glass, 4 panels each at 3’ x 6’, St. John Vianney, Lithia Springs, GA
2014 Donor Wall Mural, Re-Building the Church, paint, 18’ x 5’, St. Francis of Assisi, Cartersville, GA
2015 Sanctuary Windows, I Am the Wine of Salvation, stained/fused glass, 4 panels each at 3’ x 6’, St. John Vianney, Lithia Springs, GA
2015 Large Format Banner, Nativity, dye sublimated on polyester cloth, 8’3” x 12’6”, Church of the Transfiguration, Marietta, GA
2015-2016 Chapel Windows, Presentation of Mary, Annunciation, Nativity, Crucifixion, stained/fused glass, 4 windows each at 2’4” x 9’, St. John Neumann, Lilburn, GA
2016 Sanctuary Windows, Ancestors, stained-glass, 10 panels each 3’ x 3’ each, Temple Kol Emeth, Marietta, GA
2016-2019 Sanctuary Windows, Cosmos, stained/fused glass, 6 upper windows each at 2’8” x 5’6”, 4 lower windows each at 2’6” x 5’6”, St. Theresa, Summerville, SC
2017 Holy Water Stand, wood, iron, granite, stained-glass mosaic, St. Philip Benizi, Jonesboro, GA
2017 Large Format Banner, Finding the Lost Sheep, dye sublimated on polyester cloth, 9’6”’ x 13’6”, Church of the Transfiguration, Marietta, GA
2018 Liturgical Furnishing, Chrismatory Set, blown glass, The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Santa Fe, NM
2018 Mosaic, The Calling of St. Matthew, stained-glass and mother-of-pearl tesserae, 1’4” x 1’8”, St. Matthew Church, Tyrone, GA
2018-2020 Hallway Mural, Our Great Journey, paint on cinder block, 612’ x 8’, Transfiguration School of Religion, Marietta, GA
2019 Transom, Holy Spirit Moving in Our Lives, stained glass, 3’ x 1’, Private Collection
2020 Mosaic, Tending the Hive, stained-glass tesserae, 1’2” x 1’2”, Private Collection
2020 Large Format Banner, Flight into Egypt, dye sublimated on polyester cloth, 10’ x 8’, Church of the Transfiguration, Marietta, GA
2015 - 2020 Series of Stained-Glass Panels, Dragon Scales Series: Earth, Water, Fire, Air, & Cosmos, 5 stained glass panels, framed: Earth, 54”H x 24”W; Water, 52”H x 22.5”W; Fire, 54”H x 24”W; Air, 52”H x 22.5”W; Cosmos, 53”H x 23.5”W, Artist Collection.
2021 Stained-Glass Panel, Funky Fleur, stained-glass, 12.5” x 22.5”, Available.
2021 Sculptural Mosaic, Coosa, stained-glass tesserae, 39.5” x 45.5” x 16.5”, Available.
2022 Mini Mosaic, I Am the Vine, stained-glass tesserae, 13” x 10”c framed, Available.
2022 Garden Tub Window, Trinity Knot, stained-glass, 4’ x 4’5”, Private Residence
2022 Diptych Mosaic, Slaag Is Watching, lava, cinders, slate, slag, glass tesserae mosaic, 2 panels at 38.5" wide x 32.5 high each, Available.
2022 Residential Glass Oak and Stag, stained-glass, 2’ x 3’, Private Residence
2022 Stained Glass Restoration, Cupola Windows, 24 7’ x4’ panels, Transfiguration Catholic Church, Marietta, GA
2023 Residential Glass, Holy Spirit Moving Through the Winds of Pentecost, fused and stained-glass window, 24” x 22”, Private Residence
2023 Restoration of Luxfer Prism Tile Transoms, Sizemore Group Office, Atlanta, GA