Glass pumpkins display artistry, workmanship

RICHMOND — Cohn-Stone Studios opened its doors to the public to showcase its 22nd annual Glass Pumpkin Patch and fall sale on Friday.

Located on 560 South 31st Street, the studio will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the next three weekends this month.

Every weekend in October, children and adults alike can visit the studio to choose from the one-of-a-kind glass art pieces.

The glass pumpkins are hand blown on the spot by Cohn-Stone assistants allowing viewers to observe the art of glass blowing.

Michael Cohn, co-owner of the studio, said the time it takes to make each glass pumpkin varies anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour or more.

Cohn said the studio works on the pumpkin pieces throughout the year.

Inside the studio, hundreds of glass pumpkins are presented on tables ranging in size from tiny to large and in colors such as orange, ruby, gold, purple, green and black.

Guests can also view the glass pumpkins in the Cohn-Stone garden. Each handcrafted piece blooms in the garden designed by Molly Stone, Cohn’s wife and co-owner of the studio.

Pumpkin prices vary depending on their size. Smaller pumpkins start at about $80 each and less than perfect pieces are sold at a discounted price. These include pieces that are too big or small, and others that are unusual in form.

Richmond resident Sheila Bishop said, “I always buy something. It’s a fun thing. The garden is lovely and restful. Plus you can’t equal the talent. Even the ones with little mistakes are worth (their price).”

Most of the work by Cohn-Stone Studios is sold in galleries throughout the nation, and internationally as well.

Opening its doors to the public gives people the opportunity to view prototypes and purchase discontinued pieces at a lower price.

Cohn said due to the award-winning design of the glass pumpkins and, of course, Halloween, October is usually their biggest open house. He said the studio gets “cleaned out.”

Unique designs are also featured including birds, fish, flowers and glass leaves.

Both Cohn and Stone create and individually design each piece of glass art.

With Bay Area schools such as The Crucible in Oakland and Public Glass in San Francisco, the art of glass blowing is of interest here.

Cohn said glass blowing has been resurrected recently. He said he gives credit to Dale Chihuly, one of the most respected glass sculptors in the nation, for its popularity.

Elise Cheng, one of the people observing the assistants as they made the pumpkins, said, “They do it with such ease, and it’s amazing how young they look. It’s always refreshing to see the younger generation carry on (an old) tradition.”