HOCKING HILLS, Ohio — Renowned artisan glassmaker Jack Pine has been polishing his craft for three decades.
And he’s pretty famous for it.
“I’ve been at it that long for 30 years,” Pine said. “I’ve done a lot of pumpkins. Probably over one million.“
Pine specializes in creating artisan glass pumpkins—which he’s sold all across the country.
“It’s kind of fun because the crazier, the more fun the colors, the more people love (them),” he said. “They like them sideways, and they like them lumped over, just like a real pumpkin.”
He and his team have perfected the art, making thousands upon thousands of hand-blown glass pumpkins—each unique in their own way.
Typically, during a normal year, these unique pumpkins are one of the centerpiece attractions at the Circleville Pumpkin Show. But this year, the show has been canceled due to the pandemic.
But that hasn’t deterred Pine and his team from finding a new way to showcase their work.
Pine will host the first-ever Glass Pumpkin Patch event Thursday Oct. 22 to Oct. 25 at his studio in Laurelville, where folks can come pick out their favorite glass pumpkin from hundreds on display.
“Everybody looks forward to that Circleville Pumpkin Show very much, and it was a big part of our business that had grown quite a lot,” he said. “I’m originally from Circleville, so I’ve been a part of that show for over 25 years.”
In addition to the glass pumpkin patch, there will be glass blowing demonstrations, food trucks and pumpkin delights.
“We also invited some of the artisans that also have been affected by COVID-19 to participate in selling some of their wares,” he said. “As well as some of the food vendors that are very well-known in Circleville. So, we’re gonna have a little taste of Circleville: pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin donuts and, you know, bourbon chicken and all the other goodies.”
The event is RSVP only due to the coronavirus, and Pine said it’s already sold out. But safety is very important to Pine, and those who attend will have to wear masks and follow pandemic-related safety guidelines.
But it’s something Pine is looking forward to.
“I think everybody’s a little COVID-tired, if you will,” he said. “I mean, it’s definitely what we need to do, but I wanted to offer a relief for the community in this area, and I think it’s gonna be a pretty successful turn out.”
Pine and his team are working extra hours to make enough pumpkins for all who attend.
And he does something unique: Pine creates a pumpkin of the year, and this year’s edition has a special meaning.
“So, it’s a very dark year as it’s (a) very beautiful silver lining, so we hope that there’s a silver lining in this year,” he said.
For more information about the Glass Pumpkin Patch event, visit the Jack Pine Studio Facebook page.
Jack Pine Studio Photo Gallery:
