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My Path to Preservation: David Judson, Judson Studios

Join the California Preservation Foundation for our My Path to Preservation series, a webinar program with the goal of sharing insights with students, interns, graduates, emerging professionals, and anyone interested in a career in preservation, to learn about the variety of pathways and opportunities available.

The one-hour, free lunchtime program will include a 10-15 minute presentation by a guest speaker in one of a number of preservation-related professions, followed by Q&A with questions from CPF's Education Committee Co-Chairs and our audience. 

A person sits at a marble reception desk in a modern lobby with a colorful, geometric stained glass wall reflecting on the shiny floor. Warm wood paneling and high ceilings add to the spacious, contemporary feel.In this special installment, the conversation will look beyond a single career path to explore what it takes to run and work within a stained-glass studio. Drawing from Judson Studios’ long history, the program will highlight the range of roles and skill sets involved in this work — from artisans and craftspeople to project managers, administrators, and studio leadership. Attendees will gain insight into how a stained-glass studio functions as a collaborative practice, and what qualities and skills are valued in employees.

Find more resources for students on our Student Support webpage.

This program is made possible through the generous sponsorship of Groundwork Preservation, LLC.

Image above courtesy Sarah Cain's We Will Walk Right Up To The Sun at the Hyatt Hotel AirTrain stop SFO, photo by Jeff McLane.

About Our Guest Speaker

A middle-aged man with short gray hair and a beard smiles at the camera. He is wearing a black sweater and standing in front of a blurred background with muted colors.David Judson is the president and owner of Judson Studios, the oldest family-run stained glass studio in America, founded in 1897. Since 1996, he has overseen hundreds of national and international projects, guiding the studio’s work at the intersection of art, craft, and historic preservation. Under his leadership, Judson Studios has expanded its operations to include fused glass capabilities and kiln-formed glass production, reflecting the evolving technical and creative demands of the field.

David holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish literature and a master’s degree in International Relations, bringing a multidisciplinary perspective to his work. He served as president of the Stained Glass Association of America from 2017 to 2022 and is actively involved in a range of arts organizations. A frequent lecturer on stained glass and preservation, David recently published a book documenting the 125-year history of Judson Studios. He lives in Pasadena with his family.