Handle with care: Glass pumpkins on display at Morton Arboretum
Not all pumpkins are made for carving.
Some are made to be a little more permanent.
Visitors to Lisle's Morton Arboretum on Friday got a chance to see about 6,000 of the latter created by 16 artists who displayed their work at the outdoor museum's Glass Pumpkin Patch.
The seventh annual event featured artists from across the country who displayed their glass pumpkins as well as glass fruits, vegetables, leaves and acorns.
The pieces of art, which went on sale Friday and will remain so through Sunday at the museum at 4100 Route 53, were placed on bales of hay, in carts and even aboard a vintage truck.
The unique displays, "make it more of an art show, which makes it fun for the audience," said Bridget Bittman, arboretum marketing specialist.
Visitors on Friday and throughout the weekend also can watch glassblowing demonstrations by some of the artists.
Jayne Weakman of Plainfield came to the arboretum for the first time to see the glass works.
"This is amazing," she said. "I'm just overwhelmed."