Glass Pumpkins
An inside look into the largest glass pumpkin patch in Northern California
The largest Glass Pumpkin Patch in Northern California takes place in our very own city: Palo Alto. Glass Pumpkins are created through the process of glassblowing and come in a variety of sizes and colors. This annual event is located at the Art Center and is open two days a year from 10am to 5pm. Scattered throughout the grass outside the Palo Alto Art Center, hundreds of glass pumpkins are placed in rows for customers to pick up and view. Pumpkins are organized into groups by their artist. Over ten artists contribute their glass pumpkins to the sale so there are many to choose from. Because each artist has their own style when creating their pumpkins, there’s a variety of unique options. Glass pumpkins sell from 20 to multiple hundreds of dollars. While every pumpkin has a unique color, shape and size, choosing one to take home can be very difficult.
Although the glass pumpkins are the main attraction at the event, other glass objects are also sold. You can find glass squash, leaves and pumkin tea kettles made by the same artists .
Proceeds from the event support three main groups: Palo Alto Art Center, Palo Alto Art Center Foundation and the Bay Area Glass Institute. Artists who contribute their glass art are given earnings for their art as well.
Buyers walking through the Pumpkin Patch have the opportunity to watch artists construct the glass pumpkins right in front of you. The intricate process to create a glass pumpkin takes roughly 30 minutes, plus extra cooling time.
Palo Alto High School is lucky to be one of the three high schools in the United States that offers glass blowing as a course.
The first step to creating a glass pumpkin is to place the tip of the blowpipe into an oven with molten glass. The pipe must be spun three times in the glass and then pulled out of the oven while constantly turning the pipe so the glass stays centered. The glass is then marvered on a flat surface so the glass squeezes off the pipe. Next, the pipe is held facing upwards so you can blow inside it while being sure to cap the top of the pipe so the air stays inside and a bubble forms.
Tools are used to ensure that the glass is shaped into a circular figure. The glass is constantly reheated so the temperature stays extremely hot. The artist then stands on a stool hanging the pipe downwards, quickly placing it into a metal mold that gives the glass a pumpkin shape. At the same time, another person gets a different pipe with glass, rolls it in color and then sticks it in a smaller mold for the stem. That person then places the stem on the bottom of the pumpkin and pulls away as the stem is cut and twirled it with a tool to give it the perfect shape. Lastly, three drops of water are added to the bottom of the glass to separate it from the pipe and it is placed in an oven to cool.
Although making glass pumpkins is no simple task, with practice and diligence, it is an amazing opportunity to take advantage of.
