Meet Kim Clark Renteria: Glass artist specializing in site specific stained glass and functional fused glass art

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kim Clark Renteria and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kim, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind my business is the love of people and each person’s unique sense of taste and aesthetic. It’s basically really listening and paying close attention to what the client wants and the environment and conditions of the space where the commission will go. I have come to think about a large part of my work as glass translations…..Turning peoples imaginations into glass. I also use the highest quality of glass and materials and have very high standards for the structure of the work and make pieces that are made to last a life time. 

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
For over 25 years I have focused on site specific stained glass leaving behind a career in fashion, where I designed knitwear. The last 6 years I have also incorporated functional fused glass into our line of products. Each piece is unique and one of a kind just like the stained glass. We have plates platters, jewelry, bowls all sorts of functional fused glass pieces. More than marketing and other avenues, word of mouth has seemed to have been what has sustained the business. My studio that has been my umbrella of operation but in the past few years I have had fused pieces on and off at in the Menil Museum Book Store and it has been a delight working with Paul Forsythe. My work is also being sold in the home goods department of the Cotton Club in Houston. I want my work to bring joy to people and glass is just such a magical medium to be working in. I feel very lucky to be having this love affair with glass.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Houston is an adventure and having guests visiting is always a way to see the city in an exciting way. I think the first afternoon that they arrived , I would take them to the Menil and see what is going on in the museum and then sit on the grass and people watch and catch up. I would then take them down the street to La Tapiata for some Tex Mex and a margarita so they would really know they were really in Texas. If they were here at the right time of year and NOT in Covid times I would get us tickets to some theater or other performing arts. My first choice would be the Ensemble theater where I have been going regularly for many years, also maybe catch an opera or hope that Sally Edmundson would be performing at Stages theater. I would definitely take them to Hermann Park and also to see the new Wet land area at Memorial Park. During the say and Covid withstanding. I would take them to a spin class to burn some of the calories and then go eat at some of my favorite restaurants like Roost or Etoile or Pico’s. There are so many things to do in this city.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My son Will Clark has been very helpful in my studio and has come to the rescue many times. I think of my tools as his tools. His longtime girlfriend Eileen Paz has brought “the modern age” into my world of technology and helped me with an Instagram page and has advised me in business matters. All three of my sons have always been very supportive of what I do. In actuality my 6 year old grandson Stefan has an unusual interest in the work and has lots of opinions on colors and glass. When you can share and be inspired by your family in your work that’s when you know, life is good !

Website: Lighthouseglass.com
Instagram: Kim Clark Renteria Lighthouse_glass
Facebook: Kim Clark Renteria
Youtube: Kim Clark Renteria

Image Credits
Carol Barnwell