It seems to be that DGN is anything but shy in the triumphs of our famed alumni. Anywhere from one of the best wrestlers in the world, US Marine band instrumentalists, or professional athletes, the spread of that success is something of admiration. To that point, there is one man making a name for himself for our community in a way that both metaphorically and physically towers over the rest.
2002 graduate Jason Mack has built a glass-blowing business from the ground up. Most notably, in the last 3 years he has facilitated a holiday tradition of sorts creating the World’s Tallest Glass Christmas Tree. This year consisted of a nine day festival where every weekend of December before Christmas anyone could come watch or help create the tree for free.
After departing from DGN in ’02, Mack attended Illinois State University (ISU) and graduated in ’07 with a degree in studio art focused on glassblowing. Almost immediately, his professional pursuit had begun. Out of his garage, he both used his studio art skills and engineering abilities learned from working for his uncle’s HVAC company as a teenager to build everything necessary for production. For example, his mobile glass furnace which has been especially helpful for his Christmas trees.
As talented and dedicated as Mack is in the art of glassblowing, he doesn’t do all of this alone. Of the many workers and volunteers in his studio or events, Rob Elliot is arguably the most important for Mack’s endeavors. As both a fellow 2002 graduate of DGN and best friend of Mack, Elliot handles the logistical side of the business. From social media marketing to finding a place to hold these events, Elliot is the force to be reckoned with.
This year’s Christmas tree has reached a record-breaking 31 feet in height (36 feet including the 5 foot glass star) and 5,000 pounds. The glass utilized was derived from items such as pickle jars and wine bottles turned into usable material. After melting these in a 2200 degree oven, both Mack and fellow spectators pour the liquid glass onto a spinning metal frame to create the spectacle.
As 2023’s tree construction has come to a close, Mack will soon re-melt all the glass to soon blow into mini glass Christmas trees out of his studio for the next holiday season. Additionally, another festival will be held at the same time and place in William’s Bay, WI next year for a (hopefully) even taller tree. If William’s Bay is too far, Mack’s website for any other events or studio pieces so he can keep lighting the holidays up for many lives alike every year.
