Sigma Alpha Iota

18 Spring 2024 • sai-national.org Alumnae By Louise Schwarz, Editor, Buffalo Alumnae Chapter C an musicianship enhance a career in the art of stained glass? Megan McElfresh, Executive Director of the Stained Glass Association of America (SGAA) believes the answer is a resounding yes! Megan has dedicated her professional life to the art and science of stained glass and various community service activities which include her membership in the Buffalo Alumnae Chapter of SAI, and the Buffalo Silver Band, a community British Style Brass Band where she plays the trombone. She is also a single parent of her two children, Liam (9) and Emily (7). Megan's Buffalo Chapter SAI Sisters are very proud of her success in the world of stained glass. In 2011, Megan moved from Northern Virginia to Buffalo and founded her own glass studio, McElf Glassworks. Aer joining SGAA in 2015, she became its Executive Director in 2017. With her invitation to serve in this capacity, she convinced the SGAA to move its headquarters from Missouri to her home in Buffalo, NY. McElf, as many of her friends and colleagues call her, has generously shared her talents with our local SAI Alumnae chapter in recent years. is included a tour of the windows at Trinity Church in Buffalo and a mini workshop where members got to create a small stained glass piece. Megan has been recognized in Buffalo for her unique blending of artistry and community service. In 2020, WGRZ/ Buffalo News (an NBC Affiliate) featured her in a "City Shapers" news story, which highlighted women who have helped to make Buffalo's resurgence happen. In 2022 Megan was awarded the prestigious honor of being selected for Buffalo Business First's "40 Under 40." is award spotlights Western NY Professionals who are younger than age 40 who are successful in their professions and involved in their communities. rough years of mentoring and study, Megan has developed her creativity and artistry of stained glass along with a keen business sense. Her favorite piece of work is pictured in this article. However, it is her outlook and philosophy about her artwork that sets her apart from others. She has oen stated that she finds the work of advocating for the architectural artwork of others to be more satisfying than it is to be a creator herself. In a recent correspondence with Megan, she said the following about the connection between music and stained glass: "If the musician performed without soul, without giving it to the audience, what is it? Stained glass is the same way. You must set aside your own ego, your own desires, and sink yourself into the work." e best stained glass in Megan's opinion, is where the artist views their work as a gi to the community for which it was designed. Like music, it's an active art form. Where a musical composition needs to be performed, a glass window needs lightand atmosphere. Without it, a window is just a dark void. Very oen, it is life's experiences along the way that help to shape our career path and lead to our success. For those of us who are or have been involved in a career in music education, perhaps the part of Megan's story that touches our hearts most is her recollection of her years of being a part of the band in high school and college. e music department is where she felt most at home throughout her school years. She states "I was painfully shy in high school. I was tiny and shy and when I played trombone in the giant Marching Band or in Wind Ensemble, or was forced outside my comfort zone in Jazz Band, I was doing things that made me a better A Melding of Glass, Family, and Music The Busy Life of Buffalo NY Alumnae Chapter Member Megan McElfresh Megan McElfresh at Fall 2023 SGAA Exhibition Megan McElfresh at Fall 2023 SGAA Exhibition centerpiece centerpiece Pagoda Umbrella Pagoda Umbrella by artist James Jean. by artist James Jean. History Museum, Buffalo. History Museum, Buffalo.

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