City News Glass Pumpkin Patch Benefitting Desert Foothills Theater Oct. 16 to 18 THE HOLLAND CENTER, A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION COMMITTED TO ENHANCING ARTS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY IN THE DESERT FOOTHILLS REGION, WILL CELEBRATE THE HALLOWEEN SEASON BY PRESENTING ITS INAUGURAL GLASS PUMPKIN PATCH OCTOBER 16-18 FROM 10 A.M. - 6 P.M. The event will feature more than 1,000 whimsical, vibrantly colored glass pumpkins handmade by Gregory Tomb, an acclaimed local glass artist known for his unique, intricate designs. The pumpkins will be available for purchase, and attendees will also have the opportunity to gain hands-on insight into the craft by participating in glassblowing classes. Proceeds from the Glass Pumpkin Patch will benefit the Desert Foothills Theater, which presents high-quality productions for the North Valley community. The Holland Center is currently seeking volunteers and sponsors for this fun, festive event.
Artist Gregory Tomb has been fascinated by glass art since childhood. On their frequent road trips, his family would often include visits to the Corning Museum of Glass in Corning, New York. After studying glassblowing as an art student at Hartwick College, he explored a variety of personal and professional interests — but glass art always remained his passion. After occasionally renting glass studio time over the years, Tomb began honing his craft as a production glassblower in a factory for world-renowned glass maker Simon Pearce. In 2014, he started participating in juried art shows nationwide. He has been awarded “best in glass” and served as the featured artist at the Nassau County Museum of Art, the Hampton Fine Art Festival, the Stuart Art Festival, and the Scottsdale Artfest. In his work, Tomb incorporates classic techniques of furnace, fused, flame-worked and coldworked glass, while also exploring new processes and ways to use glass and light. Since 2013 he has taught glassblowing
at the Bay Area Glass Institute, as well as through lessons from his own mobile studio. Greg’s glass pumpkins have been featured in museums and magazines around the country. As a current artist-inresidence at the Holland Center, Tomb is excited to share the joy and beauty of glass art with the Desert Foothills community. The Holland Center is a unique partnership dedicated to celebrating arts and culture, treasuring the desert environment, assisting those in need, and encouraging lifelong learning. Formerly named the Foothills Community Foundation, the Holland Center provides a diverse array of programs, including classes, fine arts exhibits, and performing arts
through the Desert Foothills Theater, the beneficiary of the Glass Pumpkin Patch. As a community theater, the Desert Foothills Theater invites participation from people of all ages — from budding young artists cultivating their talents to senior citizens seeking a creative outlet in retirement. The Holland Center is located at 34250 N. 60th Street in Scottsdale. As a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, the Holland Center does not receive any funding from government entities and relies exclusively on the generosity of donors. To learn more about the Holland Center, visit HollandCenter. org. For sponsorship opportunities and more information about the Glass Pumpkin Patch event, contact info@ hollandcenter.org or call 480-488-1090.
2020 Foothills Empty Bowls Project Now Online Through October 16 THE 2020 FOOTHILLS EMPTY BOWLS PROJECT WILL BE HELD COMPLETELY ONLINE THIS FALL. While the art auction has been online for several years, this is the first time in 21 years that the bowls will also be offered online.
Both the art auction and bowl sale will be held on the Foothills Food Bank’s website, foothillsfoodbank.com, which is sponsored by Tech4Life Computers & Websites. Individuals can bid on the art and purchase bowls donated by members and friends of the Sonoran Arts League, a key sponsor of the Empty Bowls Project.
The Sonoran Arts League, a key supporter, is committed to advancing art and art education, with a special focus on mentoring youth with the belief that arts training helps develop the ability to focus and strengthens cognitive skills in young people. It offers a number of Youth Art programs for students K-12.
The Empty Bowls Project is one of the nonprofit’s key fundraisers. Foothills Food Bank provides emergency food, financial assistance and other life necessities and resources to individuals and families in the Desert Foothills, which encompasses a 180-square mile area that includes Black Canyon City, Cave Creek, Carefree, Anthem, Desert Hills, New River, north Scottsdale, Rio Verde and north Phoenix.
“We are excited to offer the art auction and bowl sale online so people can support this worthy cause and spend the time they need to bid on their favorite works of art and purchase as many bowls as they like,” says Carole Perry, founder of the event.
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The online event is live now and concludes on World Hunger Day: Friday, October 16 at 1 p.m.
“Bidders and buyers can participate 24 hours a day if they wish,” says Perry. “Each bowl comes with a gift certificate, redeemable between October 19 and 23, for a spaghetti meal at Harold’s Cave Creek Corral, also a key sponsor.” Bowl purchasers should note that they will be able to choose from a large selection of bowls when they pick up their bowl(s) at one of two locations between October 12 and 16, from 12-5 p.m., Perry adds. The locations will be announced on social media and the food bank’s website. Winning bids for the art auction will be announced after 1 p.m. on October 16, on the website. Directions for pick up of the art will be announced on social media and the food bank’s website as well. myhyperlocalnews.com
