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Stained Glass

A New Chapter

in Historic Downtown Council Grove, Kansas

The historic Bowers Community Center, a staple of Council Grove, Kansas, for 30 years, is about to

embark on a new journey with the launch of the Street Gallery, a project designed to bring stained

glass art into the heart of downtown. As the first installation begins, the vision is clear: transform

the city's historic Main Street into a dynamic display of local and regional artistry, drawing visitors

year-round and revitalizing the local economy.

Reviving the Bowers Community Center
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The Bowers Community Center, located at 325 West Main Street, has faced its share of challenges. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it has struggled for decades to secure funding for restoration. Initial efforts in the 1990s led to the creation of public restrooms for travelers, but momentum stalled, and the dream of a cultural arts center faded as new venues emerged.

Now, the Bowers Center Board is breathing new life into the building with a fresh, innovative concept. The Street Gallery will utilize the windows of downtown businesses to display stunning stained glass art pieces for sale, showcasing talent while generating tax revenue and foot traffic for local merchants. With over 50 windows from 19 businesses already committed, the excitement is building for this unique project.

A Stained Glass Vision for Council Grove

The Street Gallery concept was born when local stone sculptor Martin Cooney suggested using the Bowers Center as an artist's gallery. His o hand remark sparked a bigger idea among the board members. If stained glass art could draw people into Council Grove for workshops, why not turn the entire downtown into an ongoing exhibit? The goal became clear: attract art enthusiasts and tourists while preserving the historical charm of Main Street.

 

The project is moving quickly, with stained glass artist Cynthia Gutschenritter from Nebraska being the first to contract with the gallery. Her work already graces the windows of the iconic Hays House 1857 Restaurant & Tavern, the first of many installations. Gutschenritter has worked with stained glass for over 20 years and is eager to be part of this groundbreaking initiative.

Cynthia Gutschenritter

Gutschenritter, of North Platte, Nebraska, works with stained glass, wood, wire wrapping, cakes, cooking, wildlife rehab, computer patterns for cutting machines and mosaics. She has a degree in business from KSU and worked with her husband John in his optometric office for 31 years. For 20 of those years, she was also the Videographer for the city of North Platte city council. The Gutschenritters have 4 daughters and 8 grandchildren.

Featured Artist

Bringing Art to Life on Main Street

One of the most exciting aspects of the Street Gallery is the use of QR codes, which will be displayed alongside each piece of art. Visitors will be able to scan the codes to learn more about the artist and the artwork, and if interested, make a purchase directly through the gallery’s website, StreetGalleryKS.com, which is currently in development. The QR technology ensures that the art is accessible to all, even after business hours, turning window shopping into a fully interactive experience.

To ensure the art shines both day and night, 10-degree spotlights will be installed to highlight the stained-glass displays. Local contractor Keith Wyatt is handling the installation of gallery hardware, and with businesses like the Hays House and 207 W. Main on board, the Street Gallery is already becoming a reality.

A Bright Future for Council Grove

The Street Gallery is more than just a showcase of stained glass—it’s a bold initiative to restore the vibrancy of Council Grove’s retail sector. By offering an ever-changing display of art, vacant buildings will be transformed into visually striking attractions, and merchants will benefit from increased foot traffic. The Bowers Center will receive 30% of art sales to fund its restoration efforts, bringing it closer to completion as a cultural hub.

As the project gains momentum, the hope is that new artists will be drawn to Council Grove, further enriching the community's cultural fabric. The vision is for the town to become known as the "Stained Glass Capital of Kansas," with the Street Gallery as a key attraction.

For more information, visit the Facebook page, Street Gallery KS, or contact the gallery at (620) 767-5022 or streetgalleryks@gmail.com. As the Street Gallery takes shape, the dream of preserving both Council Grove's history and its future is well within reach.

Stained Glass
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The Street Gallery is more than just a showcase of stained glass—it’s a bold initiative to restore the vibrancy of Council Grove’s retail sector.

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© Copyright 2025
Street Gallery of Kansas.

325 West Main Street

Council Grove, KS  66846

phone: (620) 767-5022

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