Interview on “Cracked with Chevonne Ariss” On this weekly episodic series Chevonne shares the experience of storytelling with fellow modern stained glass artists as they share their journey into the craft. 

Today’s episode is with Ariana Makau of Nzilani Glass. She is the second person in the world – and the first woman – to receive a Master’s Degree in Stained Glass Conservation from the Royal College of Art in London. Equally comfortable on a job site, at a board meeting or in a museum, Makau has over 25 years of experience with art and architectural preservation.  She is a Board Member and Health and Safety Chair of the Stained Glass Association of America and is a Fellow of AIC. Before she started Nzilani, she worked at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, London’s V&A Museum, and the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.

On every show, host & preservation architect, Nakita Reed effortlessly weaves history, equity and genuine interest in her guests specialty in an insightful and approachable way.⁠

Episode 52 features a conversation with the trailblazing Ariana Makau. She shares her journey into the field of stained glass conservation and the challenges she faces as a Black woman in a predominantly white industry.