The 1940s brought significant changes as World War II ended, resulting in Yugoslavia transitioning to a communist government. The Stanisic Studio adapted, creating stained glass works that depicted the nation’s rebuilding efforts and symbolized communist ideals until the mid-1960s.

In the 1960s, Milan Stanisic II trained in Germany and succeeded his father, Stevan Stanisic I, in leading the studio. This era saw a shift from grand communist projects to the restoration of historic buildings. By the 1970s, the demand for religious stained glass surged as Yugoslavian society began reclaiming neglected traditions and values, prompting a revival in the studio’s restoration work.

The 1980s saw Milan Stanisic II achieve recognition with the Silver Medal from the University of Arts in Belgrade and leadership roles in stained glass within the Academy of Applied Arts. The Stanisic Studio notably restored the Synagogue in Novi Sad, the largest sacral building in Yugoslavia, including a 40-foot stained glass dome and extensive rose windows.

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Stevan and Mila Stanisic - Glass Artists 

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Stevan Stanisic, a glass artist rooted in a rich tradition of craftsmanship dating back to 1908, is a fourth-generation artisan dedicated to the art of stained glass, mosaics, and architectural installations. Together with his wife and artistic partner, Mila Apperlo, they have carried forward this legacy for over 30 years, creating extraordinary glass projects through their business and raising their three children.

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In 1989, Stevan Stanisic II traveled to the United States to refine his skills through apprenticeships at prominent New York City studios, including Rohlf’s and Greenland. He contributed to significant projects such as the restoration of stained glass windows at the Riverside Church, the Henry Bendel storefront on Park Avenue, and Tiffany windows for the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Four years later, Stevan immigrated to the U.S. as a person of extraordinary ability, sponsored by West Virginia Governor Jay Rockefeller. He joined the Blenko Glass Company, working to sustain its hand-blown antique glass production before founding his own studio, Glass Art Stanisic, in Huntington, West Virginia.

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In 1997, Stevan partnered with Brenda Belfield, recognized for designing windows for the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., and established Vitraux Art at the Millennium Art Center. As designers and collaborators, Stevan and Mila worked with many distinguished artists and glass studios. Over 25 years, their studio employed 15 full-time artists and produced more than 140 public installations worldwide, including projects across the U.S., Europe, Russia (including two presidential palaces), as well as installations in Singapore, Iraq, and the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia.

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Their work has been featured on television networks such as CNN and Voice of America, as well as on Serbian and Hungarian national television, and in various media publications. Stevan has received the Award of Excellence from the Stained Glass Association of America. His notable U.S. projects include work for Carnegie Mellon University Chapel, Yale University, and the University of the South, Sewanee, TN.

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Mila Apperlo, in addition to her collaborative work on glass art, is an accomplished abstract painter. Inspired by the textures, colors, and sounds of the natural world, Mila creates captivating works using a variety of techniques and media. Her paintings have been showcased in numerous galleries and exhibitions, earning her recognition and a growing following in the art world.

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Since 2016, in Southwest Florida, Stevan and Mila have operated Apperlo Art, continuing their family’s artistic tradition. From 2017 to 2019, Stevan served as the Marketing Director for the Center for the Arts in Bonita Springs, where the couple also taught stained glass and mosaic classes. Their work emphasizes custom mosaics, stained glass windows, and large-scale murals, often exploring themes of nature while blending traditional techniques with modern designs. ​

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