Balloon Sculptures
(They aren't just for clowns!)

Ever since we added our fine arts and photography classes last year, I’ve been so excited and impressed by the work our students have done with Marla Baker, our art teacher. Each week we are treated to new pieces on display at the school for all of us to enjoy. The students are encouraged to take their inspiration from many areas including the natural world, the manmade world and established artists.

A major influence has come from the Franklin Park Conservatory and its visiting artists. This past year there has been a featured exhibition at the conservatory by the artist Dale Chihuly entitled, Chihuly Reimagined (see photo at right). Dale Chihuly is widely recognized as the world's premier glass artist and has been the subject of many books, critical essays and PBS specials. Chihuly glass sculpture can be found in more than 150 major museums, including the Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the Louvre, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Whitney Museum.

Mrs. Baker had her students create their own “Chihuly” pieces without the hot glass and furnaces (see photo at left). They only needed a bit of hot air from their own lungs and an imagination! Marla’s students started with hanging frames that were old chandelier skeletons. They used varying colors and shapes of balloons to attach and create the “Chihuly look.” We thought they were magnificent! Unfortunately they weren’t as long lasting as the real sculptures though, and the balloons deflated within a few days.

The students also painted canvases in the spirit of Chihuly prints. At right, the Columbus Museum of Art Chihuly print exhibit; below, Metro’s Chihuly print exhibit.

We’d like to invite you to come and enjoy our student’s work displayed at Metro.