HOPE, Ark.-There are plenty of fancy chandeliers in the world, and then there's the wildly colorful and veritably vibrant art glass chandelier now hanging in the rotunda of Hempstead Hall.
Situated on the campus of the University of Arkansas at Hope, this chandelier consists of 714 pieces in a variety of shapes, such as twists, teardrops and bubbles, all coming together to make more than the sum of its parts: a truly magnificent, striking work of art.
Titled "Visions of Harmony, Colors of Hope," it's the work of Arkansas native James Hayes of Pine Bluff, who's made his name with gorgeous art glass creations: everything from bowls to glass sculptures to ornaments, centerpieces and vessels.
Hayes runs the James Hayes Art Glass Company in his hometown, and his work can be discovered at multiple venues across the South, and for this chandelier, the largest art glass chandelier he's made, those pieces are affixed to a 12-foot frame with aircraft wire.
In a statement about the work, Hayes discusses the significance in the colors. "A few of the colors were chosen specifically. Watermelon green was chosen to portray Hempstead County, and red was chosen because it is the color of the university," he said, also remarking upon his gratitude to work on the project.
In an interview, Hayes explained that the last part of the project, the physical process of making the chandelier, took 10 days. "We wanted to make an average of 100 parts a day," he said, noting that pieces like the twists take more time and more room in the oven.
"It took me a long time to figure out how to do it," the artist said. There's a secret to how it was all formulated. He had to gauge the best way to manage the curls, balls, teardrops and twists in these glass shapes. Once made, the parts were wired up, packed up and transported to the site. A welder made the frame.
"At the very top, I put a secret part, which is a leaf," Hayes said. The entire piece spans 15 feet in length and five feet in width.
"Putting one together is kind of like putting together a puzzle," Hayes said. He approaches life that way, from making art to landing a job, as if it's all a puzzle.
Hayes has built an extensive background in his chosen art, from solo and group shows across the country to designing a Christmas tree ornament for the White House and awards received at Riverfest and Red River Revel Arts Festival. He studied glassblowing in Italy, and that's a skill he assuredly enjoys.
"It's an adrenalin rush. You're playing with fire for one thing, and there's a certain immediacy to it," Hayes said. The glassblowing artist puts work in an oven and the next morning it's ready and simply needs a signature, just like Christmas, said Hayes.
The artist remarks that natural forms absolutely affect the appearance of his art glass work. Natural shapes like spirals are an influence. Then there are bubbles: "Glass naturally blows out into a bubble shape," he said. Just like bubblegum. Teardrops are sort of onion-shaped. Colors in nature or in fashion influence the color combinations he creates.
"Things I see in the world, whether it's old or new," Hayes said. He creates both horizontal and vertical chandeliers. All told, he estimates he's made a hundred of them.
While the physical creation of "Visions of Harmony, Colors of Hope" took 10 days, the entire process has been four years in the making. At a recent installation party for the chandelier sculpture and its financial backers, Hayes put the finishing touches on the piece.
"I was very sore afterwards. That's the biggest chandelier I've ever made," Hayes said.
Dolly Henley, director at Hempstead Hall, remains impressed with the sheer scope and beauty of the resulting chandelier.
"I am so pleased with the outcome of the art glass chandelier in the rotunda at Hempstead. It is so much more than I ever imagined it would be-so colorful and large. It is absolutely beautiful and I am so pleased the University of Arkansas at Hope can share this piece with everyone. Our guests will be amazed as they walk in to Hempstead Hall. It is certainly a 'wow' moment," Henley said.
John Hollis served as chairman of the Hempstead Hall art committee and, said Henley, was instrumental in choosing the artist and look for the piece.
"The decision to have a piece of James Hayes art glass as the showcase feature in Hempstead Hall has been in the works for several years," Hollis said. "It is through the generous donation of people in our area who had a vision for the arts that made what started as an exciting prospect advance from vision to reality. We wholeheartedly thank them and invite everyone to come and see Mr. Hayes' magnificent art glass and experience beautiful Hempstead Hall."
(On the Net: HayesArtGlass.com.)