Glass pumpkin patch returns to Morton Arboretum
The bounty of a fall farmers market will come to life in colorful blown glass as the Morton Arboretum welcomes back the Glass Pumpkin Patch.
More than 3,000 one-of-a-kind blown glass pieces will be on display and available for purchase during this annual event, including a new Farmers Market featuring handmade blown-glass leaves, fruits and vegetables. The display runs Wednesday to Sunday, Oct. 15-19, at the arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle.
During the fourth annual event, visitors can see daily demonstrations from top glassblowers and try their hand at the delicate art of transforming bits of glass into beautiful, one-of-a-kind fall-themed art. Narrators will take attendees through the process, explaining each step and the instruments used to create the pieces.
"This unique event continues to be a family fall tradition and is a great way to spend a beautiful autumn day," said Jacque Fucilla, manager of the Arboretum Store. "The live glassblowing demonstrations are really something you need to see to believe."
More than 20 artists from around the country will participate in the Glass Pumpkin Patch event this year, including five from the Chicago area. Leading the event is Shannon Jane Morgan of Girl Glass Studio in Sacramento, California. Morgan is a primarily self-taught artist known for using vivid colors to create her signature shapes: goblets, ornaments, bowls, vases and pumpkins.
Chicago-area artists exhibiting this year:
• Aaron Baigelman first started blowing glass at 11 years old. He has studied with world-class glass sculptors and co-owns Baigelman Glass, a modern glass company with products handcrafted in Chicago.
• A native of Washington State, Brent Rogers is a lead studio assistant for design and production at Ignite Glass Studios in Chicago. He has studied glass technique and illustration concepts at Seattle-based Pilchuck Glass School and Pratt Fine Art Center.
• Daniel Sviland of Waukegan has studied and crafted blown-glass pieces since age 12. For the last few years, Sviland has worked with several other sculptors including Glass Pumpkin Patch featured artist Shannon Jane Morgan. Together, they have created pieces for the Bristol Renaissance Faire in Wisconsin.
• Jeffrey Smart of Crete began working with glass in 2000, studying at the Chicago Art Institute among other schools. He works in his home studio as well as with fellow Glass Pumpkin Patch artist George Tessman of GT Glassworks in Indiana.
• Kit Paulson of Chicago has worked in various roles at area glassblowing studios. She has traveled the United States as a teaching assistant, and now instructs at a local public access glass studio while also creating her own pieces for Kit Paulson Glass.
The art ranges in price from $20 to $200. The Glass Pumpkin Patch sale starts at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, and runs through the weekend. Visitors are urged to arrive early for the best selection. For details on glass blowing demonstrations and other activities taking place, visit mortonarb.org. The Glass Pumpkin Patch is free with arboretum admission.