APPERLO ART STANISIC STUDIO

Our studio

Mila Apperlo & Stevan Stanisic

A stained glass atelier founded in 1908 in Sombor, Serbia, carried through 4 generations, and practiced today in a studio in Bonita Springs, Florida.

Mila Apperlo at work in the studio behind a large glass mosaic

Mila Apperlo

Mosaic artist and painter

Mila Apperlo has worked alongside Stevan in stained glass, mosaic and architectural art for more than 30 years. In the studio she leads the mosaic work, cutting and setting the glass by hand, piece by piece, for commissions such as the Sanibel Island mosaic at Cape Dental Care and the Florida landscape triptych at Lakeland Regional Health.

She is also an abstract painter. Her paintings start from the textures, colors and sounds of the natural world rather than recognizable forms, and work with mood, movement and restraint. They have been shown in galleries and exhibitions, and her painting Days of Innocence took first place at the Black & White exhibition at the Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs. She divides her time between Bonita Springs and Serbia.

Stained glass windows on the stair landings of the Grand Hotel Gellert in Budapest

Stevan Stanisic

Stained glass artist

Stevan Stanisic grew up in the family atelier founded in 1908 and represents its 4th generation in stained glass, mosaic and architectural installations. In 1989 he came to New York to apprentice with studios including Rohlf's and Greenland, then joined the Blenko Glass Company in West Virginia before founding his own studio.

From 1997, in partnership with designer Brenda Belfield, his studio produced windows for churches, universities and hospitals across the United States, including Carnegie Mellon University, Yale University's Bridgeport Hospital and the University of the South in Sewanee. He has received the Award of Excellence from the Stained Glass Association of America, and his work has been featured by CNN, Voice of America and Hungarian national television.

Since 2016 Stevan and Mila have worked as Apperlo Art in Bonita Springs, Florida. They design, fabricate and install every piece themselves, often exploring themes of nature and blending traditional technique with contemporary design. From 2017 to 2019 they also taught stained glass and mosaic classes at the Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs.

4 generations of glass

From an atelier in Sombor, Serbia to a studio in Southwest Florida.

  1. 1908

    Sombor, Serbia

    The Stanisic studio is founded in Sombor, Serbia, then part of the Austro Hungarian Empire. It is among the few art glass studios in the region, with the nearest others in Vienna and Budapest.

  2. 1918

    Growth across Southeast Europe

    After the First World War, Sombor joins the new Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. The studio grows to 55 full time artisans and completes major projects across Southeast Europe.

  3. 1931

    Milan

    In the 1930s the studio exhibits in Greece, Turkey and Italy, and receives an award at the 1931 World Fair in Milan for glass portraits.

  4. 1960s

    A new generation

    Milan Stanisic II trains in Germany and succeeds his father, Stevan Stanisic I. The studio turns toward the restoration of historic buildings, and in the 1970s religious stained glass returns.

  5. 1980s

    Restoration

    Milan Stanisic II receives the Silver Medal from the University of Arts in Belgrade. The studio restores the Synagogue in Novi Sad, including a 40 foot stained glass dome and its rose windows.

  6. 1989

    New York

    Stevan Stanisic travels to the United States and apprentices at New York studios including Rohlf's and Greenland, working on the Riverside Church windows and Tiffany windows for the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

  7. 1997

    Vitraux Art

    Stevan partners with designer Brenda Belfield. Over 25 years the studio employs 15 full time artists and produces more than 140 public installations across the United States, Europe and beyond.

  8. 2016

    Apperlo Art, Bonita Springs

    Stevan and Mila open Apperlo Art in Southwest Florida, focused on custom mosaics, stained glass windows and large scale murals.

In their words

While Mr. Stanisic continues to stand out as exceptional in his chosen arts field, one of only a handful of nationally acclaimed and recognized designers and artists his age precludes a large volume of work. In an arts industry as small but far-reaching as stained glass and the liturgical arts, Stevan Stanisic has certainly made his mark early and powerfully. In a matter of several years he has achieved national recognition and awards that elude some stained glass artist for a lifetime.
Kathy MurdockStained Glass Association of America (SGAA), Kansas City
Our University has officially opened its doors to the campus community. It is a joy to see so many students, alumni and friends already using the building and enjoying all of its special features. The chapel is particularly appreciated since our campus has not had one in the past. And I must especially thank you for creating the stunning stained glass window housed in the chapel. It is truly the most special finishing touch to that area.
Carolyn A. CarterAssociate Vice President for Development, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
We thank you very much for a wonderful art work that you have provided to our Saint Sava Church. You made everything to our order and delivered on time. It was great to have you come and personally install our church stained glass windows. Great Job! God bless you!
Fr. Dejan TiosavljevicSaint Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, Houston, TX

Selected commissions

Churches, universities, hospitals, hotels and homes, in the United States and Europe.

  • Lee Health SurfsideCape Coral, Florida, 75 sq ft, Mosaics
  • Trinity by the Cove Episcopal ChurchPort Royal, Naples, Florida, 40 sq ft stained glass, 53 sq ft mosaics, Stained Glass, Mosaics
  • Lee Memorial HospitalFort Myers, Florida, 180 sq ft, Mosaics
  • Lee Health Healthcare CenterFort Myers, Florida, Mosaics
  • St. Therese Catholic ChurchNorth Fort Myers, Florida, 120 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Ave Maria Catholic UniversityAve Maria, Florida, 15 sq ft, Mosaics
  • Lee Health University HighlandsEstero, Florida, Paintings
  • Gulf Coast Medical CenterFort Myers, Florida, 15 sq ft, Mosaics
  • Lee Health Coconut PointEstero, Florida, 70 sq ft, Mosaics
  • Cape Coral High SchoolCape Coral, Florida, 45 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Saint Agnes Catholic ChurchNaples, Florida, 40 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Lutheran Church of RedeemerMcLean, Virginia, 140 sq ft, Mosaic
  • First Baptist ChurchSpringfield, Maryland, 22 sq ft, Stained Glass Restoration
  • Jewish SynagogueSubotica, Serbia, 1,270 sq ft, Stained Glass Restoration
  • Saint Sava Serbian Orthodox ChurchHouston, Texas, 220 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Calvary Lutheran ChurchSilver Spring, Maryland, 75 sq ft, Stained Glass Restoration
  • Private ResidenceMoscow, Russia, 640 sq ft, Mosaics
  • Congregation Sherah IsraelMacon, Georgia, 330 sq ft, Dalle de Verre Restoration
  • Saint Joseph Catholic ChurchGrand Junction, Colorado, 645 sq ft, Stained Glass Restoration
  • Presbyterian ChurchForsyth, Georgia, 86 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Queen of Heaven and Earth Catholic ChurchCroatia, 838 sq ft, Mosaic
  • Charles E. Smith Jewish Day SchoolRockville, Maryland, 43 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Archbishop Carroll High SchoolWashington, DC, 32 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Holy Monastery of Saint ParaskeviWashington, Texas, Stained Glass
  • Bridgeport Hospital, Yale UniversityBridgeport, Connecticut, 45 sq ft, Dalle de Verre
  • Cathedral of Saint Mother TheresaPrishtine, Kosovo, 1,100 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Church of EpiphanyHerndon, Virginia, 90 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Holy Comforter ChurchVienna, Virginia, 180 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Our Lady of LourdesAlexandria, Virginia, 60 sq ft, Dalle de Verre
  • Cathedral of Saint Teresa of AvilaSubotica, Serbia, 1,100 sq ft, Stained Glass Restoration
  • Our Lady of Perpetual HelpEllicott City, Maryland, 55 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Trinity Lutheran ChurchBethesda, Maryland, 120 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Alpha BankBelgrade, Serbia, 670 sq ft, Stained Glass Restoration
  • Saint Mark Episcopal ChurchCapitol Hill, Washington, DC, 40 sq ft
  • Church of the Archangel MichaelHamburg, Germany, 350 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • First Lutheran ChurchEllicott City, Maryland, 430 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Saint Paul Episcopal ChurchGreenville, North Carolina, 290 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Emmanuel Lutheran ChurchVienna, Virginia, 300 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Shrine of the Most Blessed SacramentChevy Chase, Washington, DC, 70 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Church of Risen ChristDenver, Colorado, 215 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • First United Methodist ChurchBrighton, Michigan, 172 sq ft, Dalle de Verre
  • Trinity Evangelical Lutheran ChurchCharleston, West Virginia, 90 sq ft, Dalle de Verre
  • Saint David Episcopal ChurchWashington, DC, 53 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Bulleville Christian ChurchBulleville, Ohio, 130 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Hotel Melia SolUmag, Croatia, Stained Glass
  • Gauley Bridge Baptist ChurchGauley Bridge, West Virginia, 107 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Saint Andrew Presbyterian ChurchPinch, West Virginia, 330 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Maryetta Baptist ChurchLogan, West Virginia, 218 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • O'Dell Funeral HomeAlamogordo, New Mexico, 190 sq ft, Dalle de Verre
  • Aldersgate United Methodist ChurchSissonville, West Virginia, 410 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Saint Basil of Ostrog Orthodox ChurchBelgrade, Serbia, 970 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SANU)Belgrade, Serbia, 840 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Saint Joseph ChurchSharon, Pennsylvania, 236 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Grace Catholic ChurchPonca City, Oklahoma, 190 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Saint Joseph Catholic ChurchHuntington, West Virginia, 150 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • St. Joseph on Carrollton Manor Catholic ChurchBuckeystown, Maryland, 226 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Saint Paul ChurchDamascus, Maryland, 170 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Most Blessed Sacrament ChurchWashington, DC, 105 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Church of the TransfigurationJare, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 140 sq ft, Mosaic
  • Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 96 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Purcellville Baptist ChurchPurcellville, Virginia, 280 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Westminster Presbyterian ChurchWilmington, Delaware, 560 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Bridgewater Church of the BrethrenHarrisonburg, Virginia, 645 sq ft, Dalle de Verre
  • Heritage Fellowship ChurchReston, Virginia, 355 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Saint Gregory the GreatBuffalo, New York, 1,660 sq ft, Dalle de Verre
  • Saint John Vianney Catholic ChurchPrince Frederick, Maryland, 1,400 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Good Shepherd Catholic ChurchAlexandria, Virginia, 1,290 sq ft, Stained Glass, Dalle de Verre
  • Immaculate Heart of MaryGrand Junction, Colorado, 1,505 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Saint Frances Catholic SchoolSan Francisco, California, 970 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Saint Mary's Hospital ChapelGrand Junction, Colorado, 700 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Saint Peter's Anglican ChurchCypress, Texas, 172 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • University of the SouthSewanee, Tennessee, 1,935 sq ft, Stained Glass
  • Hotel GellertBudapest, Hungary, Stained Glass

Let's create something extraordinary.

mila@apperloart.com
239.777.9517
Bonita Springs, Florida

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