John Petts

Who was John Petts?

John Petts was born in London, but is considered a Welsh artist, best known for his engravings and stained glass.

With his partner, Brenda Chamberlain, Petts set up the Caseg Press in Snowdonia in 1937, and collaborated with poet Alun Lewis before the latter died in the Second World War. In later life Petts lived and worked in Abergavenny.

In 1963, Petts designed and created a stained glass window featuring a Black Jesus for the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, following a racially motivated bombing. Working with the Western Mail to raise funds, Petts arranged donations from many thousands of Welsh locals to pay for the window. The window was installed and dedicated in 1965.