Destination: Public Park Installation

These 40 kiln cast dragonflies were made from window, plate and bottle glass and were installed in Barcroft Park in Arlington, VA last fall.  The dragonflies range in size from 10 to 17 inches across at the wings and are as much as 1.5 inches deep.  It took me more than 9 months to create these and the project was the result of an Arlington County art grant that I received.

Here is the information that will be on the upcoming signage:

Residing in a circle that is intersected by three paths, in Destination by Cindy Ann Coldiron, the dragonflies are all flying towards their goal of the center concrete and glass "pond." Dragonflies symbolize renewal, change and activity and each of the three paths lead to different destinations in the park. Since the dragonfly lives a short life, it knows it must live its life to the fullest. in the shortest time. This destination for them is a pond but for each of us, it is something different. The number 40 signifies maturity and completion of a test or trial.

Coldiron created each dragonfly for this "green" project using 40 hand sculpted clay models that were cast in plaster and silica. After removal of the clay, the mold was filled with discarded bottle, window or plate glass. Colorants were added using frits and enamels along with a special glow powder for some of the molds. The molds were kiln fired at over 1550 degrees Fahrenheit. After cooling, the glass was cold worked with a wet tile saw and sandblasted.