The Dance of Harmony - fused glass sculpture by Cheryl Collins

Beneath the Grand Tetons at the top of the sculpture is a lake of blue glass that makes its way down the sculpture, meandering like a stream of water. WATER is one of the four elements, representing the source of all potentialities in existence, the fountain of life often associated with cleansing - washing away the old to make room for the new.

The EARTH is one of the four elements included in the sculpture, the universal archetype of creativity and sustenance. The earth is our foundation, the great nourishing mother that provides all things and takes them back into herself.

The openings in the glass represent AIR, another one of the fours elements. Although taken for granted, air gives life to all creatures through their breath and has been called the essence of the world soul, the ever present breath of life that connects us all.

The red glass is associated with FIRE, the element symbolizing transformation, the change or passage from one state to another, illumination, inspiration and enlightenment.
 
The SPIRAL symbolizes inner growth. In many cultures throughout ancient history the spiral is associated with the cycle of life, our spiritual journey and our own evolution.

The SUN is known as the source of light and warmth, growth and abundance. Ancient Egyptians worshiped the sun and used it in their art as far back as the Neolithic Age 5,000 - 3,200 B.C.

The TRIANGLE carries many meanings throughout history, including supreme power, prosperity, fire, the feminine and the trinity.

The PEACE symbol represents harmony, coming to resolution, overcoming conflict to achieve unity in diversity. Other well known symbols of peace used throughout history have been the dove and the olive branch.

The red CIRCLE is symbolic of the earth, the world, wholeness. In the middle is the self and its relationship to the whole of nature. The circle has been called the sacred hoop, the totality of all things. Whether the symbol of the circle appears in primitive sun worship or mandalas drawn by Tibetan monks, it points to the single most vital aspect of life – its ultimate wholeness - which includes each of us and our unique relationship to the whole.