Thursday, August 28, 2008
MIT GREAT GLASS PUMPKIN PATCH EXHIBITION & SALE - September 26-27, 2008
Cambridge, MA... At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, "raising a glass" can have agricultural overtones. Over 1,000 hand-blown glass pumpkins, squashes and gourds in all sizes, shapes, colors and designs will transform a grassy court at MIT into a colorful “Great Glass Pumpkin Patch” on Friday and Saturday, September 26-27 in front of MIT’s Kresge Auditorium at 48 Massachusetts Avenue.
Visitors of all ages are invited to stroll through the "pumpkin patch" on MIT’s Kresge Oval and choose their favorite autumnal orb Prices range from $20-$200, depending on the piece’s size and complexity. Many of the works feature not only vivid colors, but swirls, stripes, spots, curlicues and unusual stems.
The Great Glass Pumpkin Patch begins with a preview reception (no sales) on Friday, September 26 from 5 to 8 p.m. On Saturday, September 27, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., shoppers and browsers are invited to stroll through the "pumpkin patch" and purchase their favorite autumnal orb.
(Rain date is Sunday, September 28, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
The glass pumpkins were created by students and instructors in MIT's Glass Lab, where members of the MIT community learn and practice the art of glassblowing. Proceeds from this event benefit the Lab, an art program connected with MIT's Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the Materials Processing Center. Pumpkin-making is overseen by glass artist Peter Houk, director of the the MIT Glass Lab.
The Great Glass Pumpkin Patch came to MIT in 2001 after a residency in the Glass Lab by 14 members of the Bay Area Glass Institute (BAGI). The Bay Area Glass Institute (a non-profit corporation located in San Jose, CA), was founded in 1995 by San Jose State graduate Bobby Bowes and MIT alumnus Mike Binnard.
Every week or so, beginning, intermediate, and advanced students work together for a few hours in teams of six or seven to produce pumpkins for the sale. Production for the October event continues steadily throughout the year in order to achieve the goal of 1,000-1,200 pumpkins.
For more information--including an illustrated step-by-step description of "How To Make a Pumpkin," see: http://web.mit.edu/glasslab/sales_pumpkin.html, or call (617) 253-5309.
Color images are available.
Contact:
Lynn Heinemann, MIT Office of the Arts
(617) 253-5351, e-mail heine@media.mit.edu
Visitors of all ages are invited to stroll through the "pumpkin patch" on MIT’s Kresge Oval and choose their favorite autumnal orb Prices range from $20-$200, depending on the piece’s size and complexity. Many of the works feature not only vivid colors, but swirls, stripes, spots, curlicues and unusual stems.
The Great Glass Pumpkin Patch begins with a preview reception (no sales) on Friday, September 26 from 5 to 8 p.m. On Saturday, September 27, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., shoppers and browsers are invited to stroll through the "pumpkin patch" and purchase their favorite autumnal orb.
(Rain date is Sunday, September 28, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
The glass pumpkins were created by students and instructors in MIT's Glass Lab, where members of the MIT community learn and practice the art of glassblowing. Proceeds from this event benefit the Lab, an art program connected with MIT's Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the Materials Processing Center. Pumpkin-making is overseen by glass artist Peter Houk, director of the the MIT Glass Lab.
The Great Glass Pumpkin Patch came to MIT in 2001 after a residency in the Glass Lab by 14 members of the Bay Area Glass Institute (BAGI). The Bay Area Glass Institute (a non-profit corporation located in San Jose, CA), was founded in 1995 by San Jose State graduate Bobby Bowes and MIT alumnus Mike Binnard.
Every week or so, beginning, intermediate, and advanced students work together for a few hours in teams of six or seven to produce pumpkins for the sale. Production for the October event continues steadily throughout the year in order to achieve the goal of 1,000-1,200 pumpkins.
For more information--including an illustrated step-by-step description of "How To Make a Pumpkin," see: http://web.mit.edu/glasslab/sales_pumpkin.html, or call (617) 253-5309.
Color images are available.
Contact:
Lynn Heinemann, MIT Office of the Arts
(617) 253-5351, e-mail heine@media.mit.edu
Click HERE to view the Premium Art Deadlines List.
