Arlon Bayliss Papers on the Crystal Arch (Anderson, Ind.)

Collection

Identifier: MS-0007

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Arlon Bayliss Papers on the Crystal Arch (Anderson, Ind.) provide insight into the conception and execution of a community-funded glass public art project. The papers consist of design drawings, project timelines, planning documents, financial records, development and fundraising documents, press clippings, photographs, and legal documents. Materials are organized loosely and filed by document type.

Dates

Creation: 1996-2005

Creator

Bayliss, Arlon, 1957- (Person)

Language of Materials

Collection materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for public research. Researchers must make an appointment to view this collection.

Conditions Governing Use

The Copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research." If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement. The user agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Corning Museum of Glass and the Rakow Research Library against all claims, demands, costs and expenses incurred by copyright infringement or any other legal or regulatory cause of action arising from the use of Library materials.

Biographical / Historical

Arlon Bayliss was born in Warwickshire, England in 1957. Bayliss began his education in the arts with a Bachelor of Arts in ceramics from Bristol Polytechnic in 1978. In 1981, he received a Master's in Arts in glass making at the Royal College of Art in London.

Bayliss studied and worked at Lobmeyr and Co. in Vienna, the Leerdam Factory in Amsterdam, the Rosenthal Company in Germany, Isle of Wight Glass in England, Blenko Glass, and Steuben. Several of his exhibitions and works have been displayed in cultural institutions such as the Victoria & Albert Museum, Christie’s London, and Lynby Kunstforening in Copenhagen.

In 1990 Bayliss moved to the US to establish the glass program at Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana. His current focus is commissioned public artwork.

In 1996, Bayliss, along with Jason Knapp and Studio 4 Glass, began the Crystal Arch project. The Crystal Arch project was an initiative in Anderson, Indiana to erect a steel matrix framework with multi-faceted, colored crystals inside to commemorate local individuals and organizations. The mission of the project was “To recognize, illuminate and express the value of our community for the benefit of all people,” marrying art with industry. Funding for the project came from the Madison County Community Foundation, as well as the individuals and organizations involved in the project: the Salvation Army, Anderson Noon Exchange Club, Anderson Federation of Teachers, and Community Hospital Anderson. The Crystal Arch project lasted five years and ended in 2001, extending beyond its initial, intended date of completion of 1999. The sculpture still stands today in downtown Anderson, Indiana.