You can see the world’s largest glass Christmas tree at the Yerkes Observatory in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. The tree is the brainchild of Rob Elliott, his wife Sarah Elliott, and Jason Mack. The tree is made with donated, used glass that will be recycled into more glass objects after the celebration. The team has been working together on community-oriented projects with molten glass since 2007.
Videos by InspireMore
The website has a series of videos about the tree’s construction and this community event. The entire process is time-consuming but fascinating. Possibly, one of the most incredible pieces, as we spin this tale of the glass Christmas tree, is that community members helped make it.
The tree is on a spinning base. Once the frame is complete, molten glass drizzles around the tree’s circumference. The artists heat the glass to a liquid state. As the tree spins, hot glass drizzles off the holding rod to add color to the tree.
Community members, young and old, enjoy participating in the tree’s construction. There is no denying the smiles on every single one of those faces. Jason, Sarah, and Rob supervise the “helpers” to ensure everyone’s safety. The artists complete the upper parts of the tree using man lifts. After three weekends, the final touch — a five-foot, hand-blown glass star goes on the top of the tree. The result is stunning.
While the glass Christmas tree isn’t as tall as the Rockefeller Center Tree, it is equally beautiful. The spun glass around the frame takes three weeks and many helping hands. The final sculpture is too gorgeous for words, and viewing is open until early January.
Please share the glass Christmas tree community art project.
You can find the source of this story’s featured image here and here.
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