Scott Parsons
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
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
Early work
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
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
Parsons is a professor of art at Augustana University, where he teaches and supervises studio practice.[9]
Artistic style and themes
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
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
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
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "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. Search this book on
- ↑ 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. Franciscan Friars of California. 22 (3): 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.[permanent dead link]
- ↑ "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.
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