On 28 March 2026, Ars Lucis organised its very first Friends’ activity. This took place at the Sint-Ursula Institute in O.-L.-V.-Waver, where more than 150 years of educational history have been preserved in a truly remarkable way. Attracted by the beauty of the site, every year, thousands of tourists go to see it. However, as a special route had been mapped out for us, we also visited some lesser-known spots. But of course, we paid particular attention to the many forms of architectural glass throughout the school.  

The undisputed highlight of the Ursuline Institute is the impressive Art Nouveau-style winter garden. There we were welcomed by the school’s headmaster, Dag De Baere, after which our guide, Dr Mario Baeck, passionately explained the institute’s historical mission. We learned how the sisters held an extremely progressive vision of education and tuition, and how the buildings and their furnishings contributed to an approach that was very modern for its time. Aesthetic experience and learning through observation always went hand in hand at this school.  

Our attention was drawn to numerous decorative details such as ceramics, stucco, murals, and of course glass windows. In the winter garden alone, we were able to enjoy the beautiful dome, the Art Deco stained-glass and the interior walls of etched glass.  

In the school chapel, as large as a church, we paused to admire the stained-glass windows by Joseph Osterrath Jr. and Jan Huet. Also of interest were the preserved remnants of a stained-glass window that was partially destroyed during the Second World War.  

Subsequently, we had the opportunity to admire the repurposing of several historic halls. We observed how the current management is doing everything in its power to preserve this large site by reconciling the school’s contemporary needs with the care of our historical heritage.  

The tour concluded with afternoon tea in the magnificent La Fontaine refectory. In this convivial atmosphere, our thirty Ars Lucis Friends were able to chat with each other, the representatives of the school and the Wintertuin-association.