BLOOMINGTON - Christmas will arrive early in Bloomington's old warehouse district beginning Friday as a massive glass Christmas tree sculpture comes to life. | VIDEO: Glass blowers turn beer bottles into art

Glass artists from the Mack Glass Co. have built a steel armature and will begin ladling molten glass to form the branches and needles outside their studio at 400 S. Madison St. about noon.

Jason Mack, Mack Glass co-owner, said the public is welcome to view the process, which will take place over the next two weekends.

"Exactly how big the tree will grow will be dependent on how much glass people donate," Mack said.

Co-owner Robb Elliot said the company considers itself a green industry because its raw materials are primarily recycled glass.

A glass recycling box is located outside the studio on Madison Street. The team of sculptors is asking the public to bring clear and green colored glass for their raw materials. The glass will be melted in a gas-powered oven and poured over the armature, where it will solidify.

The steel armature stands about 25 feet tall and is turned on a pedestal as the sculptors spin fine strands of glass to make the needles and branches., Elliot estimated it will take about 2,000 pounds of glass to build the tree.

"I'm surprised how much the community has already responded to what we're doing," Mack said.

The artists have received more than $2,000 in donations from 14 businesses throughout the Twin Cities, he said.

"We're also receiving glass bottles from many of the clubs around town," Mack said.

The company was founded by Mack and Elliot, both Illinois State University alumni, for the purpose of building public arts projects around the country. Their studio is located in one of the old warehouses located under the Center Street bridge, south of downtown.

Mack Glass recently purchased a piece of land adjoining Constitution Trail between the two bridges and the owners plan on building a glass sculpture garden there beginning next spring.

This weekend's festivities include the sale of specialty glassware blown by Twin City artist Josh DeWall. DeWall joined the staff of the company and makes a variety of glasses, stemware and other fine art objects from recycled glass.

---

GO!

What: Creation of glass-sculpted Christmas tree and glassware sale

Where: Mack Glass Co., 400 S. Madison St., Bloomington

When: noon to 5 p.m., Friday, Saturday and Sunday and Dec. 12, 13 and 14.

Bring: Any clear or green glass donations will be appreciated.