Malcolm Macfadyen, glass blower, Capilano Suspension Bridge

This December, local glass blower Malcolm Macfadyen will once again join the holiday cast of Canyon Lights, Capilano Suspension Bridge's annual holiday light display, that includes 200,000 twinkling lights, carol singers, hot cocoa and gingerbread cookies. Back by popular demand, Malcolm and his mobile glass blowing studio will demonstrate the art of glass blowing and teach visitors to make their very own glass ornament on the grounds of the 119- year old bridge.

What is Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge?
Each December Capilano Suspension Bridge and park is illuminated by thousands of twinkling lights. It's a magical sight that visitors and locals are invited to come and experience each evening, with all proceeds going to charity. Admission is inexpensive ($10 adults, $5 children) so the event is becoming a very popular tradition for many local families.

What do you do during Canyon Lights?
I set up my mobile glass blowing studio in front of the Trading Post gift shop to demonstrate glassblowing skills. I also invite members of the public to make their own ornament. The atmosphere is really nice and Christmassy: I'm blowing glass which is glowing in the dark and looking out over all the lights in the trees. You can see the suspension bridge in the distance with its bright blue white lights illuminating it. Every hour or so, carolers come by and sing. Inside there is hot chocolate for sale and gingerbread decorating workshops. Last year we even got a sprinkling of snow which was lovely.

What kinds of ornaments can visitors make?
This year, visitors can make either an icicle or Christmas ball. It takes about 10 minutes to make your own icicle ($14.99) and about 30 minutes to make a ball ($39.00), but because the ball needs to cool, they must be collected the following day. I gather the glass on the pipe then hand the pipe to the student who chooses their own colours and adds them to the surface of the glass which they shape themselves. Then I help with the final stage of blowing and turning while they neck the glass in and the ornament takes shape before their eyes. We had about 150 people, between the ages of 10 and 70, make icicle ornaments last year. Everyone loves it because it brings such immediate satisfaction.

When did you begin glass blowing?
It all started as a second career. I began learning about stained glass and that blended into blown glass when I assisted a glassblower in a studio on Granville Island. My earlier career in geology and engineering was phased out and I got into glass full time. I have worked with many local glass artists in Vancouver like New-Small & Sterling Studio on Granville Island. Since then I have given over 1,000 people an introductory glass blowing experience with my mobile glass studio.

What is the glassblowing community like in Vancouver?
In fact, the Pacific Northwest is a hot-bed of glassblowing. I've heard that there are more glass-blowing studios in the Seattle area than there are in Venice where the art originated. There are lots of places to learn glass arts around Vancouver, and the Granville Island area is a real incubator for artists of all kinds. One well known glass blower in the Granville Island area is Robert Held (www.robertheld.com).

Canyon Lights is on display from December 6, 2008 to January 3, 2009 from 5:00 - 9:00pm daily, except December 24 & 31 when the park closes at 5:00pm, and December 25, when the park is closed all day). The cost for adults is $10, children (6-12) are $5, or $25 for a family of four.

www.capbridge.com.

December 2008