Mississippi Museum of Art:
Art Garden Installation

Jackson, MS

At Pearl River Glass Studio, owner and visionary Andrew Cary Young, is always driven to push the boundaries of innovation. for the Art Garden, he envisioned creating unique trapezoid shapes out of kiln formed glass-an idea the studio had never explored before. Though he hadn't intentionally considered the adjacent building to the garden in his design process, the Jackson Convention Center, is a uniquely shaped building that influenced the project's final design. The convention center's sleek trapezoid-inspired design compliments the art glass more. This is a recurring theme in many of PRGS's original designs: the surrounding architecture, whether intentionally incorporated or not, plays a significant role in shaping meaningful, one-of-a-kind art.

A Fusion of Art, Nature, and Community

The Art Garden at the Mississippi Museum of Art is a breathtaking integration of glass, light, and landscape. Designed and crafted by Pearl River Glass Studio, this installation celebrates the museum’s donors while enhancing the beauty of an urban green space. Completed in 2012, the project features two striking elements: a vibrant fused glass obelisk and a stunning glass wall mounted onto a greenscreen—a steel grid structure designed to support climbing plants.

Craftsmanship & Innovation

Each piece of glass in this installation was carefully fused, sandblasted, and laminated to create a dynamic interplay of color and transparency. The obelisk, standing as a luminous beacon in the garden, is internally lit, transforming the space at night. The garden wall, with its bold red and orange enamel accents, showcases the names of museum donors etched into the glass, blending artistic expression with recognition.

Throughout the process, PRG artists tackled technical challenges, from perfecting the enamel firing process to ensuring seamless integration with the greenscreen. The result is a lasting tribute that honors the museum’s supporters while creating an inviting space where art and nature exist in perfect harmony.

A Longstanding Partnership

Pearl River Glass Studio has maintained a close relationship with the Mississippi Museum of Art since the 1970s, consigning unique glasswork in the museum store and contributing to its evolving artistic landscape. The Art Garden installation stands as a testament to this collaboration—a vibrant fusion of art, history, and community.