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-Editorial
At first glance, the vibrant glass sculptures shimmering under the sun at The Flower Fields in Carlsbad appear almost too delicate to be made of steel. Yet, each intricately crafted dragonfly, butterfly, and beetle is a striking blend of artistic vision and engineering precision. These large yet graceful sculptures are the work of Alex Heveri, a Tucson-based artist and sculptor, whose creations bring a unique fusion of nature and craftsmanship to the popular attraction at 5704 Paseo Del Norte.
Her latest exhibition, Glass in Flight: Special Edition, features an impressive 38 sculptures, making it her most expansive showcase yet. The collection is part of a traveling art exhibit that has captivated audiences at botanical gardens and zoos across the country. With past installations at 13 venues, including the Tucson Botanical Gardens, Heveri continues to bring the world of pollinators to life through her fusion of science and art.
The exhibition will open through May 11.
“For a botanical garden exhibit, you have to pick a theme,” Heveri explains. “Because butterflies are colorful, and so are dragonflies, I chose insects and pollinators.”
Her fascination with nature is evident in every sculpture, each one painstakingly crafted from Dalle de Verre glass sourced from Kokomo, Indiana—the last remaining manufacturer of this type of glass. “They’re the only ones in the world that make it now,” she notes.
Unlike traditional stained glass, Dalle de Verre involves thick slabs of glass that are cut, chiseled, and arranged before being set in an epoxy resin or concrete framework. The result? Stunning, sunlit creatures that seem to shimmer with life.
Heveri’s artistic journey started in childhood, fueled by a mother who made homemade Play-Doh and a father who was a skilled woodworker. Despite an early love for creativity, she chose a career in law, becoming a public defender.
“I thought I had to choose my career, and that art was over for me,” she recalls. “I used to tell people, ‘I used to be an artist, but not anymore.’”
Yet, the passion never left. After buying a small house, she installed a 220-volt power supply, purchased welding equipment, and taught herself metalwork. “I was just very driven,” she says. “I would practice for 14 hours a day on the weekends.”
Her work demands precision and patience, often taking years to conceptualize before the actual sculpting begins. Once she starts welding, however, each piece takes about a month to complete. To keep up with demand, she often works on multiple sculptures simultaneously.
Among Heveri’s favorite tools is her oxy-acetylene torch welder, capable of cutting through steel several inches thick. “It shoots out fire,” she says with a smile. “I love fire. And if you look at the sunlight coming through the glass, it’s like fire—you can’t photograph that.”
Her sculptures range in price from $12,000 to over $100,000, with a portion of the proceeds supporting the Flower Fields’ efforts. Despite the high price tags, Heveri’s goal isn’t just to sell art—it’s to inspire appreciation for pollinators and their crucial role in ecosystems.
Her traveling exhibitions, Glass in Flight 1 and Glass in Flight 2, have drawn national attention, and she hopes to take her work internationally. A potential exhibit in Canada fell through due to bureaucratic hurdles, but she remains optimistic. “Hopefully, these exhibits will travel to every single botanical garden,” she says.
Currently, her work is on display at Flamingo Gardens in Florida, with an upcoming show at Wichita Botanica in April.