Francesca Alepin Kneider

Quick facts about Francesca Alepin Kneider:

• Born in Montreal in 1964 and a professional artist since 1990.

• Recognized by the Conseil des Métiers d'Art du Québec and the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications du Québec for the integration of her glass art designs into architectural works.

• Officially registered in the "1% Program" of the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications, Service de l'intégration des arts à l'architecture for the realization of projects in the context of the Quebec government's policy to integrate art into architecture for both government and public sites.

• Recipient of numerous honorable mentions and awards of excellence, three of which were in the "new product" category of the Salon International du Design d'Intérieur de Montréal (SIDIM).

• Since 1990, the signature artist behind multiple large-scale projects realized by the glass works company, Hectarus, in Montreal.

Formal Education

Artistic Development

In 1990, Francesca Alepin Kneider completed her education in interior design. That very same year she met Orel Édouard Johnson, renowned architectural and master glass technician. Their union gave birth to the Hectarus glass works company in Montreal.

They worked together on multiple, large-scale international projects. Teaming up with a master glass technician like this has made Francesca Alepin Kneider unique as an artist in her field.

This path led her to Marcelle Ferron, international painter and glass artist, with whom she worked behind the scenes, together with Orel Johnson, on several projects integrating art into architecture under the auspices of the "1% Program" of the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications of Québec.

• The Bethany Presbytery in Québec City, Québec, Canada (1991)
• The Sainte-Marie Hospital in Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada(1992)
• The Bishops University Library in Lennoxville, Québec, Canada (1993)
• The Sainte-Justine Hospital in Montréal, Québec, Canada (1994)
• The Point du Jour Primary School in l'Assomption, Québec, Canada (1996)
• The refurbishing of the Champ-de-Mars Métro Station in Montréal, Québec, Canada(2000)
• The CLSC-CHSLD du Marigot Long-Term Care Hospital Center, Laval, Québec, Canada (2002)

In 1992, Francesca Alepin Kneider started a new trend on an international scale with the design of vitrified glass sinks for the company Hectarus. Over 30 different models can now be found all over the world. As a result of this innovation, Francesca Alepin Kneider has received countless honorable mentions and awards of excellence.

In 1993, she integrated her art into 14 sun windows and the main entrance of the chapel of the head office of the Soeurs de la Charité de St Hyacinthe.

In 1997, through Hectarus, she was involved in the realization numerous immense slabs of glass for the exterior pyramid as well as the floor of the main entrance of the American Embassy in Ottawa. This project would be a first of its kind on the architectural scene.

In 1998, Francesca Alepin Kneider played a key artistic role in the creation of a dozen immense and magnificent glass chandeliers adorning the ceilings of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in Salt Lake City, Utah.

In 1998, she designed the ladies' washroom of the Hostellerie Les Trois Tilleuls in Saint-Marc-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. This work would be the beginning of a series of integrations of art into the architecture of the hotel.

In 2001, she opened the vitrified glass Economuseum at Hectarus.

In 2001, she designed the architectural glass integration at the Spa Givenchy in Saint-Marc-sur-Richelieu.

She continues to design products and handle the artistic work for projects of all sizes for both residential and commercial applications.

She has the dedicated support of a team of skilled glass artisans, all contributing to the realization of her projects.

The Hostellerie Les Trois Tilleuls and the Spa Givenchy offer the best and varied examples of Francesca Alepin Kneider integrating her art into architecture. Both locations are ultimate showcases of her mastery of glass art designs.

Site Accessibility Information
Site design is by naftatrade.com and accessible.org,
specialists in practical accessible website designs.

© 2006 Glass Art Designs
102-4800 Saint-Ambroise
Montreal, Quebec, Canada H4C 3N8
Tel: (514) 937-0020 • Fax: (514) 937-0070