It’s time to pick the perfect glass pumpkin.
They can be big or small, orange or purple — the choice is yours at Schack-toberfest, Schack Art Center’s eighth annual glass pumpkin festival, which runs through Sept. 23.
More than 700 blown-glass gourds, handcrafted in Schack’s glassblowing studio or made by the region’s glass artists, are displayed like a giant glass pumpkin patch in the main gallery.
The pumpkins vary in size, color, shape and price. Some can fit in the palm of your hand, others require both arms to carry.
The most popular are orange with green and black stems, though other favorites are the purple, green, white and Seahawks-colored gourds, said Maren Oates of the Schack staff.
“They buy them to go with their decor year-round, not just during the fall,” Oates said. “Don’t underestimate the power of glass pumpkins. People love them.”
The Schack makes the patch look the part with straw bales, wire spiders and ghosts made of glass.
“We go all-out on the harvest and fall feel,” Oates said. “That’s what appeals to people. It makes them excited for the fall season.”
While most of the orbs will resemble pumpkins, Seattle-based glass artist Merrille Moore takes a different approach. Her glass art is made into irregular shapes that resemble the squash you might find in your garden.
“Mine are probably more organic,” said Moore, who has a warehouse in Lake Stevens. “I try to make the stems look like something you’d see in the field. They’re more of a natural look with sort of a brownish tone.”
A few of Moore’s other glass pumpkins are adorned with red and orange polka dots, making them look like they were plucked from a Dr. Seuss book.
Her prices range between $55 and $100, while a few of the more challenging and unusual-looking pumpkins cost upwards of $200.
Harvest-themed paintings, pottery and gifts also are for sale. Artists include Brier’s Ken Vander Putten, Everett’s Kippi Leonard and Snohomish’s Sonya Lang.
Sorry, reservations are closed to make your own glass pumpkin in the Schack’s hot shop. Availability will depend on cancellations.
Other activities planned include:
■ Pints & Pumpkins, from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 20, will feature live music by Cascade Cascade, beer and appetizers. Cost is $20 for members, $25 for non-members.
■ Jesse Kelly will demonstrate glass blowing in the hot shop during the Pints & Pumpkins event. The winner of a $10 raffle will get to make a glass pumpkin with Kelly.
■ A silent auction in the mezzanine gallery, featuring 40 original paintings on 12-by-12-inch panels, is open through Sept. 20.
■ Kids activities are set for 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 16 and 23, and will include making dragonflies and pumpkin dot drawings.
The Schack Art Center is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Evan Thompson: 360-544-2999, ethompson@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @evanthompson_1.
If you go
What: Shack-toberfest
Where: Schack Art Center, 2921 Hoyt Ave., Everett
When: Sept. 13 to Sept. 23
Cost: Free
More: 425-259-5050 orwww.schack.org
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