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May. 27, 2008 at 12:01am

Next Chalk Off Prize: Custom Blown Glass Trophy

This Friday is Frost Park Chalk Off Episode VIII, the victor of which will receive a hand crafted commissioned blown glass trophy in memory of their victory against all other contestants at Frost Park.

I have been reluctant to offer "art" for Frost Park victors as most artists have a basement full of art of their own art that they have been trying to sell.  However, this is different.

Yes, once again, the value of this prize may well surpass any one offered to date.

Sponsor : Hilltop Artists In Residence

(Sponsor Plug)

Spring Sale

Hilltop Artists in Residence will hold a Spring Glass sale on Saturday, June 14 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Jason Lee Middle School, 602 N Sprague, Tacoma, WA  98403.

Starting at 8:00 AM, visitors will be invited to pick up a numbered ticket and then enjoy coffee or breakfast in the neighborhood before you return by 10:00 AM. Guests will be admitted in the order they first arrived.  We highly recommend arriving early to pick up a ticket as this sale has become VERY popular!

All sale proceeds go directly to fund program costs, including student scholarships, and supplies and materials.

Q&A Re: Winning Trophy for Episode VIII

Q1: If I prevail against all of the Frost Park Chalk Off Challengers, what do I win?

A1: Essentially a custom commissioned blown glass trophy celebrating your victory in Episode VIII.



Kathy Anderson, Outreach Coordinator with Hilltop Artists in Residence.

Q2: I don't work with glass, I draw (Tacomics, the MM Bridge, wolves, frogs and demons, gardens, etc.).  How can I design a glass trophy?

A2: Simply use your well honed artistic ability to sketch how you would like your victory trophy to look like.  The glass artists will take the sketch and turn it into glass to the maximum extent possible.  The victor may simply drop off a sketch, or preferably, make a sketch and sit back and watch their personalized trophy be made before their eyes.

Q3: Who will be constructing my glass trophy should I win Episode VIII?

A3: The experienced and highly skilled "production crew" of Hilltop Artists in Residence.  Some of the staff who are highly skilled glass artists themselves may work on the piece as well, some of whom have worked for Dale Chihuly





Q4: What is the connection between Dale Chihuly, the Tacoma School District and the Hilltop Artists in Residence?

A5: Chihuly was a co-founder of the program.  According to the Museum of Glass website

In 1994, Chihuly worked with Tacoma Public School District students and officials to found the Hilltop Artists in Residence Program, a not-for-profit organization that uses the privilege of working with molten glass to motivate students (ages 12-20) to stay in school.

Q6: Do the Hilltop Artists in Residence have a video?

A6: Yes.  If you look carefully, you can see Chihuly in it.




Q7: Will the prize for Episode VIII basically be a coupon to learn how to blow glass?

A7: No. The victor for Episode VIII need not even step foot in the hot shop.

They have the option of simply taking one of the items in the gallery if they wish.  However, having the glass artists craft a custom designed trophy will be far more valuable and meaningful to the winner.  There is an opportunity for the victor to get more involved in the process if they wish.

Q8: Is there a chance Dale Chihuly himself could drop by while my Frost Park Chalk Off trophy, should I win, is being constructed?

A8: Chihuly is listed as a honorary director and co-founder of Hilltop Artists in Residence and he certainly does stop by occasionally.  Yet, the chances of him stopping in at this time are slight.

Q9: Will the creation of a customized glass victory trophy from the Hilltop Artists in Residence create the coveted "win-win" dynamic, the benefits  of which we hear so much about Tacoma?

A9: Yes.  The Hilltop Artists in Residence and staff will receive publicity about their sale event of glass on June 14th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m..  Perhaps more importantly, the Hilltop Artists in Residence get to meet the "Best  Illustrator in the Universe of Tacoma" from Frost Park Chalk Off Episode VII.

Meanwhile, the Chalk Off victor for Episode VIII will receive a well deserved custom designed glass blown trophy for which will certainly be a hard fought victory.  Will the trophy be a turtle? A hot dog?  A werewolf?  A flower? A vegetable?  Murray Morgan Bridge?  The possibilities are endless.

I have been to the Hilltop Artists in Residence hot shop and met a number of the staff and students.  They know who the Frost Park Chalk Off Challengers are. They have been watching from close and afar.  They know well the visibility the trophy for Episode VIII will attract and are prepared and ready to "bring it" (as Stowe would say) in glass blowing with the same skill and valor exhibited each week at Frost Park.


For more information see:

Hilltop Artists in Residence
Glass Sale
Saturday, June 14th   10am-1pm
Jason Lee Middle School,
602 N Sprague, Tacoma, WA  98403