A new partnership with the Garfield Park Conservatory has landed Oak Park glass artist, Bryan Northup, some of the shards left in the wake of the devastating June 30, 2011 hail storm.

Shards will be transformed into one-of-a-kind art bowls featuring the hail marked white wash. Supporters and patrons who purchase a bowl will not only own a historic piece of the conservatory and be supporting a local artist, but will also make a valuable contribution to the reconstruction efforts of the famous Chicago landmark.

Northup, who was already working extensively with recycled bottle glass jumped at the chance to work on a project that so seamlessly fit into what he was already making in the studio, and for a cause dear to the artist's heart.

"If I wasn't in the studio creating with glass you would find me in the garden tending plants. Anything I can do to help restore one of my favorite places." said Northup.

The unique opportunity was facilitated by The Special E, a 'green' business that recycles items that would otherwise end up in a local landfill and repurposes them into products that help the environment and people in need.

A limited edition of bowls entitled "Catching Hail" will be released in the coming weeks to benefit the rebuilding efforts at the Conservatory.

The bowls will be available for sale in person at the artist's booth, 22EP, Dec. 1-4 at the One of a Kind Chicago Show & Sale held at the Merchandise Mart, also in the Garfield Park Conservatory gift shop, as well as Northup's online Etsy shop, and on the artist's website www.biolumglass.com