Sawdust Memorial:
An Eternal Flame With a Twist
Festival glass artists cooperatively created a glass flame last week to serve as a memorial for exhibitors who have died.
Installation of the completed work is planned for Tuesday, Aug. 21, at 10 a.m. near the waterfall.
Photos by Mary Hurlbut
Marcus Thesing “picking” out imperfections from the molten glass early in the process.
Nicole McQuaid ready to use a wet, wooden block to shape the glass, while Loni Chapman and Christopher Jeffries look on.
Gavin Heath heats the now larger glass sphere as Loni Chapman, Christopher Jeffries and Jason spin the pipe to keep it on center.
A cherry wood paddle used to shape the hot glass ignites when it comes in contact.
The glass, now twisted into a two-foot hollow flame, is prepped to separate it from the pipe.
Larry Gill’s glass and metal sculpture, seen here in his Sawdust Festival booth, inspired the memorial project, which will be larger still.
Not only were these photographs in our local paper this week,
and another on the front page last week,
I got paid for them! 
