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 cold-worked 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-in-residence 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 [email protected] or call 480-488-1090.
