The students of White Sulphur Elementary have crafted Chihuly-like colorful ornaments from recycled water bottles to decorate the tree and garland at the gazebo at Old Mill Park and arbor on the pedestrian bridge this Christmas. Old White Garden Club Co-President and Art Instructor Jacque Minarik had constructed similar decorations while teaching in Richmond, where there is a permanent exhibit of the glass artisan’s creations.
Chihuly is an internationally renowned glass blowing artisan with colorful creations gracing many icon places including the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, the Biltmore Estate’s Botanical Gardens and Seattle’s Gardens. Some of his projects are as tall as trees, can float, and even one weighs over 40,000 pounds. His works are known for having a textured look although feeling smooth and the use of bright color.
Garden Club members Nancy Marshall and Katie Ickes, led by Minarik, worked with the students for three days as they tapped into their creativity to embellish their ornaments to resemble vibrant glass flowers and vines. Not only did the student learn about Chihuly’s art, but also about the Japanese’s art of floral arrangement from which Chihuly based some of his designs.
WSS Elementary Art Teacher Stephanie Dudley helped supervise the activity which also addressed the need for recycling and the beauty of “upcycling” projects such as this. Nancy Marshall had some students assist in making beautiful yarn garland to accent the tree. Then a group of club members worked together to wire the ornaments and string them throughout town for the Christmas season.
Be sure to take a drive through WSS to enjoy the beauty of these artful decorations and the tree, which will be officially lit during the festivities of the annual Christmas parade on Dec. 7.
